Many NFL fans did not expect the Patriots to be at the top of the AFC East by the start of Week 7. However, the players in New England had a different perspective on its playoff chances.

Quarterback Drake Maye spoke to the media on Wednesday, sharing that head coach Mike Vrabel made reaching the playoffs a key objective from the very beginning of his tenure in January.

“That’s the goals since we got here,” Maye said, via Patriots on CLNS. “Coach Vrabel put on the goals, winning the division, making the playoffs and having home playoff games.”

Vrabel didn’t let the challenge of joining a team with only four wins and little hope for the playoffs bother him. The 50-year-old head coach instilled in his players the belief that making the playoffs was non-negotiable, regardless of last seas

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