Bill O’Brien hilariously pranks the Patriots’ Mike Vrabel on VEEI

A large part of New England Patriots the fandom is delighted to welcome back Mike Vrabel. The team’s new head coach won three Super Bowls and enjoyed the best years of his career with the Foxboro franchise. After a tumultuous last few seasons, he is a feel-good hire who will immediately bring passion back to the region. His return also brings some familiar faces, voices to be exact.

While appearing on VEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” on Tuesday, Vrabel surprisingly got a chance to talk with a close friend and former coach and associate. “Billy from the car” had some fun, offered words of support and made an intriguing request.

“First time caller, longtime listener,” Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien he said. “Come on Patriots.” Vrabel immediately laughed after realizing the identity of the mysterious caller. The 2007 First Team All-Pro linebacker kept things light while also asking around.

“Do you have any other players up there, Billy? Are we getting any players?” Vrabel asked, prompting an interesting pitch in return. “We are, man,” O’Brien said. “You’ve got to come to our Pro Day and talk to our team. I’m already into it. I’m excited for Mike , I’m excited for the Patriots, it’s going to be great.”

Vrabel returned the favor and praised his old boss for his work with the Golden Eagles — they just won seven games on the season for the first time since 2018. He also briefly touched on O’Brien’s fiery personality, something Pats fans already know pretty well. Based on the fun exchange, it sounds like there’s a party brewing in the New England region.

These two coaches go back a long way and have been a great help to each other throughout their NFL journeys. O’Brien was an assistant with the Patriots during Vrabel’s final two seasons with the team and later hired him on his staff when he became the coach of the Houston Texans in 2014. Vrabel served as defensive coordinator in 2017 and catapulted him to a HC opportunity with the Tennessee Titans.

The two friends are now back in the same state, separated by about a 30-minute drive. They are each with the task of reviving previously revered football traditions. The climb is steep in both places, but Mike Vrabel and Bill O’Brien are moving with purpose. That’s all fans can ask for right now.

The Patriots are riddled with holes after a terrible 4-13 season, which is coming off another terrible 4-13 season. Quarterback Drake May has been promising during his rookie campaign, giving Vrabel a solid foundation to build on. There are many challenges aheadbut there is also a sense of warmth that permeates the New England air.

And a lot of nostalgia.