In their final game before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET NFL trade deadline, the Patriots didn’t exactly give their front office a vote of confidence to be buyers.
New England suffered a concerning and humbling loss to the Green Bay Packers, dropping to 2-4 against teams that currently have a winning record.
The Patriots allowed 45 points, the most ever at Gillette Stadium and their most in a home game since 1970. They also turned the ball over four times without forcing any of their own, bringing their season turnover differential to -11, tied with the already-selling 2-7 Indianapolis Colts for the worst mark in the NFL.
The 45-27 defeat was the Patriots’ most lopsided home loss of the Mike Vrabel era.
However, during his weekly appearance on The Greg Hill Show on WEEI (full interview below), Vrabel said Sunday’s result won’t change the team’s approach ahead of the trade deadline.
“No,” Vrabel said. “No. We want a bunch of guys that want to be here. That want to make it hard on each other. In preparation, push each other, challenge each other, improve, take accountability, and if that’s not them, then let us know by tomorrow. That’s what we have to do. That’s the mindset.”
Accountability and preparation were recurring themes for Vrabel throughout the interview. When asked about some of the team’s potential bad practice habits, he pointed to preparation as an area where the Patriots need to improve.
“I think what the issue is is just the preparation and making sure that we’re ready to go,” Vrabel said. “I have to do a great job of reinforcing that and getting that message home. We’re halfway through the season. There are only so many reps that you could take. There are only so many bodies that we have. Some guys are working hard to get to the game. It’s not like on Wednesday that they’re ready to go and that they’re 100%. We have a lot of guys who are fighting to make it to the game. And in saying that, how do you continue to find ways to improve? How do you find ways to prepare at less than 100%? That’s the reality of the National Football League. It’s what every team goes through. We’re not indifferent to that. But then, ultimately, you have to come out and perform.”
Vrabel: "What the issue is, is just the preparation" "If you play like that, you have no chance to win" Patriots HC Mike Vrabel joins! Live at @gillettestadium https://t.co/nMv2GzEhyT
— WEEI (@WEEI) November 9, 2026
The Patriots have one more game before their bye week, traveling to Munich, Germany, to face the 6-2 Detroit Lions. Detroit has won each of its last four games, presenting another difficult test for New England before the break.
The Patriots have yet to beat an NFC opponent this season and are 0-2 against the NFC North, with losses to Chicago and Green Bay.
