The New England Patriots are aiming to restore their former glory after a tumultuous period following the departures of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. Mike Vrabel, a Patriots Hall of Famer, takes over as head coach, replacing Jerod Mayo, who struggled in his only season with a 4-13 record. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez notes that the team has become 'a little more lax' in the past couple of years, and he believes Vrabel's leadership will bring back the disciplined, team-first mentality synonymous with the 'Patriot Way.'

Gonzalez, having already experienced two head coaches in his brief career, reflects on the need for accountability and a focus on winning. Last season, he earned Second Team All-Pro honors despite the team’s struggles, highlighting that there were many close games that could have gone either way. With Vrabel's extensive coaching experience, including a successful tenure with the Tennessee Titans, the future looks promising to restore the Patriots' competitive edge.