The Mike Vrabel era in Foxborough couldn’t have gotten off to a much faster start.

Following Thursday night’s 27-14 win over the Jets, the Patriots are riding an eight game winning streak and own the NFL’s best record at 9-2. Beyond that, Drake Maye has taken a leap forward. The second-year quarterback is playing MVP-caliber football and is being serenaded by the Gillette Stadium crowd accordingly.

With a number of enticing openings in last year’s hiring cycle, Vrabel ultimately chose to coach in New England. On Amazon’s Thursday Night Football postgame show, Vrabel said his 23-year-old quarterback was a major factor in that decision.

“I came here because of the familiarity. I came here because of Drake,” Vrabel said. “I knew what he would be, and it was important for me to come

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