New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel made an extremely aggressive call early in his team’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, and many people had the same reaction to the decision.
The Patriots were trailing 14-7 and had 4th-and-1 from their own 15-yard line with just under 6 minutes remaining in the first half at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. It seemed obvious that New England was going to punt the ball away, but Vrabel had other plans.
Even in a one-score game with the ball deep in his own territory, Vrabel decided to go for it. The decision paid off, as running back Rhamondre Stevenson shook a defender in the backfield and picked up a big gain.
Gutsy call by Mike Vrabel to go for it on 4th & 1 on their own 15-yard line
— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025
PITvsNE on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/qrK3potg1J
The decision is one that could have backfired in a huge way. Vrabel either had full confidence in his offense’s ability to gain a yard or a lack of confidence in his defense to stop the Steelers.
Either way, people were quick to praise Vrabel for showing some serious stones.
4th and 1 from their own 15 and Mike Vrabel goes for it … that's some big footballs right there.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 21, 2025
Rhamondre Stevenson for 10.
Mike Vrabel has massive stones to go for that. Mike Tomlin would NEVER.
— Kevin Adams (@KevinAdams26) September 21, 2025
Mike Vrabel!!!! pic.twitter.com/TLcprMB58T
— Red Harrington (@RedHarrington44) September 21, 2025
MIKE VRABEL JUST WENT FOR IT ON 4TH & 1 ON THEIR OWN 15-YARD LINE.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 21, 2025
BALLS.
pic.twitter.com/umapzheItv
Big stones from Vrabel pic.twitter.com/joWdCkjIqR
— Nick Maraldo (@nickmaraldo) September 21, 2025
The Patriots are coming off a thrilling win Week 2 over the Miami Dolphins that led to even more questions about whether Mike McDaniel should be fired. Patriots players had to have appreciated their own coach’s aggressive decision on Sunday.
