Mike Vrabel refuses to give up key responsibility after NFL rule change as sideline moment goes viral

Mike Vrabel isn’t in any rush to give up a key sideline responsibility.

The New England Patriots head coach got back to work Thursday night, following a tumultuous offseason, as his team hosted the Indianapolis Colts for their preseason opener.

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During the game, which ended in a 13-13 tie and saw a freak injury, he produced a moment that quickly went viral.

After Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson took off in the second quarter, he lost the football.

Referees initially ruled he was down, but Vrabel disagreed, having seen that Patriots linebacker K.J. Britt knocked the ball out.

Instead of simply throwing his challenge flag, the New England HC launched it onto the field.

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A slow motion replay of the amusing moment was shared on social media by the Pats, and quickly went viral on X, racking up millions of views in the hours since it was shared.

Vrabel was right to throw his flag, albeit in an over-the-top fashion, as the decision went his way and his team took over possession.

After the game, he was asked if his viral heave was a sign that he ‘wasn’t interested’ in delegating responsibilities, in the wake of a new NFL rule.

WBZ TV

WBZ TV

WBZ TV

Mike Vrabel will keep challenge flag despite NFL rule change

The 2026 rulebook allows head coaches to appoint a member of their sideline staff as a designated replay challenger.

This differs slightly from the ruling of previous seasons, whereby head coaches have been the only ones able to declare a challenge.

“I don’t think that that’s new, because I think there are other people (that can do it),” Vrabel said postgame, questioning the rule change.

“I don’t know where this is getting so much traction. I think maybe it’s on a form now that it’s a designated person.

“The officials will normally ask us 90 minutes prior to the game. You have a meeting, and you go through who has the challenge flag, who’s the ‘get back’ coach, the captains, who has a cast, running any trick plays, or anything that we want to look for.

“They’ve always asked me who has the challenge flag, and I know that there’s been other players, or other people other than coaches.

“So I was kind of surprised that this got talked about.

“But, no, I’ll keep the challenge flag.”

While Vrabel suggests delegating responsibility was already an option, the NFL rulebook implies it is indeed new, given the addition of the words ‘or head coach’s pregame challenge designee’ in red print.

Either way, don’t expect to see anyone else throw red flags in New England this season, because Vrabel doesn’t appear ready to give that up just yet.