Vrabel Describes Brady Reunion as a Contractual Obligation

Published November 4, 2026. Mike Vrabel offered little enthusiasm about seeing former New England Patriots teammate Tom Brady during Brady’s return to Foxborough this weekend. Brady is scheduled to call the Patriots’ game against the Green Bay Packers and attend Rob Gronkowski’s induction into the team’s Hall of Fame on November 7.

Vrabel said he was contractually required to speak with Brady at some point, and suggested their production meeting would likely take place over Zoom. He also said he expected to see Brady at Gronkowski’s ceremony.

Brady and Vrabel were teammates on three Super Bowl-winning Patriots teams. The report cited two possible reasons for Vrabel’s cool response: Brady is a part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, an AFC team, and he did not publicly back New England ahead of last season’s Super Bowl. Brady said on his podcast in February that he had no preference in the game.

Former Patriots player Vince Wilfork criticized that stance this week on Boston radio, saying Brady should have openly expressed what he thought rather than treating the matter as political.

Brady, meanwhile, described his return as emotional in an interview with Fox colleague Colin Cowherd. He recalled the stadium’s locker rooms, meeting rooms and field, along with memorable games there, and said he wanted to convey what the Patriots organization means to fans rather than focus on himself.