Just as New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel had done throughout his team’s surprise run to the NFL’s biggest stage, he made sure he was the first person to offer hugs to his players as they exited the field following Sunday’s Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Yes, the Patriots fell short of capturing a record seventh Lombardi Trophy.
But this season they showed that they have the coach, quarterback and the culture in place to continue to put this version of the franchise in position to add another one soon.
“That’s what motivates you,” Maye said. "That’s what we talk about in the locker room. That’s what fuels you.“
When Patriots owner Robert Kraft set out to course-correct after firing Jerod Mayo just a year into his effort to succeed Bill Belichick, he said only that he wanted to find a coach that could put the team in position to qualify for the playoffs in short order.
Enter Vrabel, who helped put together a roster that transformed the defense and put some much-needed playmaking ability around second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
That included bringing back a familiar face in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to give Maye not only someone he could learn from, but that he could trust.
The result was a regular season in which Maye was given the scheme and freedom to be himself. He used it to put together a season where he was the league’s most efficient passer on the way to finishing second in MVP voting.
The run brought back goodwill with an impatient Patriots fan base that became used to being in the Super Bowl mix during the era led by Tom Brady and Belichick.
They just need to make some adjustments, particularly on the offensive line, following a poor Super Bowl performance.
But it’s a task the players are ready to attack for a coach who has shown them what is possible in New England again.
The biggest thing Maye leaves this season with is confidence. He drilled down on finding the balance between not “being a check-down Charlie” and throwing the deep ball.
He is now able to keep defenses off balance and has the receivers who can turn shorter routes into long gains.
The offensive line made some strides from Maye’s rookie season when he was sacked 34 times. But that number increased to 47 this season following the addition of veteran right tackle Morgan Moses and rookie left guard Jared Wilson. And a Super Bowl where Maye was sacked six times showed there is still need for improvement. Look for it to be a focus this offseason.
Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson showed why the Patriots felt he was worthy of a second-round pick. While he was a liability in pass protection at times, with four rushing TDs of more than 50 yards he added a needed dimension to the offense.
Rookie left tackle Will Campbell promised to fight and die to protect Maye when he was drafted at No. 4 in 2025. But a change to guard could be in order after he gave up a Super Bowl-record 14 pressures.
Maye didn’t miss a start this season. Still, the injury to his throwing shoulder he sustained in the AFC championship game will be something to watch. He acknowledged getting a shot of pain medication in it prior to the Super Bowl that numbed it so he could play.
13 — The number of improvement in wins for the Patriots (17-4) this season after finishing 4-13 the previous year.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel walks along the sideline during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye walks off the field after a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) and teammates walk off the field after losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The FBI said Monday it is unaware of any continued communication between Savannah Guthrie’s family and suspected kidnappers more than a week after the “Today” show host’s mom went missing.
The FBI has still not identified any suspects or persons of interest in the mysterious disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, said Connor Hagan, a spokesperson for the FBI.
Savannah Guthrie said the family was “at an hour of desperation” in a video released Monday, just hours before a purported ransom deadline apparently set by her mom's abductors.
She didn’t mention the deadline in the video, saying her family in Arizona continues to believe her mother is out there and hearing everyone’s prayers.
“She was taken and we don’t know where, and we need your help,” Guthrie said in the video posted on Instagram, urging people nationwide to be on the lookout. “No matter where you are, even if you’re far from Tucson, if you see anything, if you hear anything.”
The mysterious disappearance and search has riveted the country — from President Donald Trump, who spoke with Savannah Guthrie last week, to the online sleuths who’ve flooded social media with tips, theories and rumors.
The FBI is now asking for the public’s help on digital billboards up in several major cities in Texas, California, Arizona and New Mexico. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information.
Multiple news outlets received alleged ransom letters during the past week. At least one letter made monetary demands and set deadlines for receiving the money. The first deadline passed last Thursday but a second one was set for Monday evening.
Law enforcement officials declined to affirm that the letters were credible but said all tips were being investigated seriously. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Monday that law enforcement tip lines have received thousands of calls.
Authorities say they have growing concerns about Nancy Guthrie’s health because she needs daily medication. She is said to have a pacemaker and has dealt with high blood pressure and heart issues, according to sheriff’s dispatcher audio on broadcastify.com.
Savannah Guthrie expressed hope on Monday that her mom was still alive.
“We believe that somehow, some way, she is feeling these prayers,” she said, “and that God is lifting her even in this moment and in this darkest place.”
In a video Saturday, she said the family was prepared to pay for her mother’s return. “This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”
Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will from her home just outside Tucson. She was last seen there Jan. 31 and reported missing the next day after not attending church. DNA tests showed blood on Guthrie’s front porch was a match to her, and her doorbell camera was disconnected in the early hours of Sunday morning, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said.
Outside the home on Monday, neighbors strolled by on their morning jogs and walks, while a county sheriff's deputy remained stationed out front.
Law enforcement's work at Guthrie residences will continue Tuesday “as part of the ongoing investigative process, including the expansion of the search and follow-up on new leads,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement Monday.
Detectives and agents carried out follow-up work in the neighborhood and other locations over the weekend as part of the investigation, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Sunday.
“Investigators have not identified any suspects, persons of interest, or vehicles connected to this case,” the department said.
Investigators on Saturday were inside daughter Annie Guthrie’s home, about 4 miles (6 kilometers) from Nancy Guthrie's house. On Sunday, an investigator was seen using a pole to search an underground tank behind Nancy Guthrie’s home.
A person walks a dog as members of the Pima County sheriffs office remains outside of Nancy Guthrie's home, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)
A member of the Pima County sheriffs office remains outside of Nancy Guthrie's home, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)
FILE - This image provided by the Pima County Sheriff's Department on Feb. 2, 2026, shows a missing person alert for Nancy Guthrie. (Pima County Sheriff's Department via AP, File)
A member of the Pima County sheriffs office stands by his truck looking at Nancy Guthrie‘s house, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)
Nancy Guthrie’s home in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)
Lit candles next to a sign from neighbors supporting the Guthrie family outside of Nancy Guthrie’s house in the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)
