After years of being the most hated dynasty in sports, the New England Patriots have undergone a stunning transformation under new coach Mike Vrabel, returning to the Super Bowl as relatable underdogs, despite lingering controversies surrounding the owner and key players.
For two decades, the New England Patriots, led by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, were the 'Evil Empire' of the NFL, amassing six Super Bowl titles and generating widespread resentment for their relentless success, perceived arrogance, and various scandals. After Brady's departure and Belichick's eventual exit, the dynasty crumbled, and the team became 'normal.' However, the Patriots are now back in the Super Bowl, surprisingly as underdogs, largely due to the 'halo effect' of new coach Mike Vrabel. A former Patriots player, Vrabel is depicted as a charismatic, tough, and brilliant strategist who has humanized the franchise. He transformed a four-win team into a 14-win Super Bowl contender in one offseason, building a scrappy roster of 'cast-offs and grinders' in his image, anchored by quarterback Drake Maye. This new team, unlike its predecessor, wins gritty, close games and is largely seen as likable. Despite this on-field resurgence and newfound public appeal, the article highlights persistent darker elements. Owner Robert Kraft is criticized for his obsession with legacy, alleged 'knifing' of Belichick, and controversial off-field activities, including a massage parlor scandal and a cozy relationship with Donald Trump. Furthermore, two key players, Christian Barmore and Stefon Diggs, are currently under investigation for serious allegations of violence against women. The article questions whether these issues will be addressed by the media during the Super Bowl broadcast, suggesting that Vrabel's positive influence is doing 'a lot of heavy lifting' to make the team 'human again' and, consequently, more rootable.
