During Tuesday's press conference, Vrabel fielded a handful questions from the media, as is the norm. The moment the presser took an edgier turn was when the Boston Globe's Ben Volin asked what Vrabel thought of the players returning to their first training camp practice after the NFL offseason, with an emphasis on their conditioning level.

Mike Vrabel was hired as New England Patriots coach seven months ago to recalibrate a team that hasn't won a playoff game since its most recent Super Bowl win in the 2018 season and has slumped to 4-13 finishes the past two seasons.