For his pre-practice press conference prior to the team’s first official day of training camp, Vrabel strode to the microphone on Wednesday with a puppy named Nash clutched under his arm. It’s part of the team’s second Pet Adoption Day (sponsored by the Kraft family via The Patriots Foundation in coordination with local animal shelters).

Vrabel was hired seven months ago to recalibrate a team that hasn’t won a playoff game since its most recent Super Bowl win in 2018.

During Tuesday's press conference, Vrabel fielded a handful questions from the media, as is the norm. The moment the presser took an edgier turn was when the Boston Globe's Ben Volin asked what Vrabel thought of the players returning to their first training camp practice after the NFL offseason, with an emphasis on their conditioning level.