Things got spicy in Minnesota when Mike Vrabel was at the podium.
The first-year Patriots coach — never one to mince words when calling out the media — had a tense exchange Thursday with a reporter who inquired about comments made by star receiver Stefon Diggs over his Week 1 availability.
“Did you really believe that, Phil [Perry]? I mean, you’re a smart guy. I don’t know where you went to school – it wasn’t Ohio State. But like, do you really believe that? Do you really believe that, Phil, or are you just trying to bait me into something?” Vrabel said.
Perry of NBC Sports Boston then told Vrabel, “I’m not baiting you into anything,” and added, “[Diggs] did say he wasn’t sure he’d be ready for Week 1.”
Diggs, who agreed to a three-year, $63.5 million contract with the Patriots in free agency, is coming off a torn ACL sustained last October when he played for the Texans.
During an appearance on the “Scoop City” podcast this week, the four-time Pro Bowler said he feels “great” and “we’ll see about Week 1,” when the Patriots host the Raiders on Sept. 7.
Upon hearing Perry’s follow-up question, Vrabel said Thursday he was unclear about “the context in which [Diggs] said it,” and how the All-Pro wideout has “been out here almost every day.”
“I’m excited of where he’s at and we’ll see when Week 1 comes, but he’s going to practice today. Hopefully, he helps us in the red zone, but we can’t predict the future about Week 1. I just know he’s going to be out there today, and he works hard and he cares, which are two important things,” Vrabel said.
Diggs scored three touchdowns across eight appearances with the Texans in 2024 before he went down with an injury.
He was traded to Houston in April 2024 by the Bills. In each of his four seasons in Buffalo, Diggs surpassed 1,000 receiving yards and caught a career-high 11 touchdowns in 2022.
The Patriots, coming off a forgettable 4-13 season, will be relying on Diggs as second-year quarterback Drake Maye looks to take the next step following a promising rookie campaign.
The third overall pick in 2024 threw 15 touchdowns against 10 interceptions through 13 regular-season games.
Vrabel, a Super Bowl-winning linebacker with the franchise, has put his own flair on the club since being named head coach in January.
Beyond breaking up training camp skirmishes, Vrabel is making sure reporters are staying alert with questions.
As the Patriots entered training camp in July, Vrabel scolded a Boston reporter for framing a question similarly to one that had already been asked.
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe went on to flag himself for a “total lack of focus.”