Patriots' Mike Vrabel Shrugs Off 'Disrespect' Talk Before Super Bowl LX

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The New England Patriots are back in the Super Bowl, despite plenty of naysayers and critics doubting them as a viable contender throughout their season and NFL Playoffs run. Head coach Mike Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots as a player, has done a brilliant job coaching the team to an undefeated road record and big wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos. However, the Patriots find themselves underdogs heading into the championship game, and there are still plenty of doubters who suggest the Seattle Seahawks will win in a landslide.

Why it matters

The Patriots' run to the Super Bowl has been a remarkable story, with quarterback Drake Maye in just his second season as the starter and Vrabel in his first as head coach. Despite the doubters, the Patriots have proven themselves as a formidable team, and Vrabel's dismissal of the "disrespect" narrative suggests the team is focused on the task at hand rather than external narratives.

The details

Vrabel was asked about the narrative that the Patriots are "disrespected" and if he liked that his players were going through the postseason "with a chip on their shoulder." Vrabel shrugged off the narrative, saying "It doesn't matter. We're in the Super Bowl." He also said the team is "compensated very well for what we do, so I don't think there's any disrespect from this building or my appreciation for our football team." The Patriots grinded out a low-scoring, challenging win in Denver, defeating the Broncos without Bo Nix at quarterback, 10-7.

• The Patriots are back in the Super Bowl.
• Vrabel was asked about the "disrespect" narrative while appearing on WEEI 93.7 FM's Patriots segment.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, with the game taking place in Santa Clara, California.