The Patriots Hall of Fame has been defense-heavy with its inductions in recent years. Each of the last three players inducted, four of the last five, and seven of the last nine players given red jackets all played on the defensive side of the ball.
That could change in 2023. On Friday the team announced the three finalists to be this year’s inductee, with just one defensive player. Those up for induction are guard Logan Mankins, linebacker Mike Vrabel, and head coach Bill Parcells.
Fans will now get to vote on the three finalists, with voting running through May 2 (fans can vote here). Once an inductee is chosen, then the team will schedule the enshrinement ceremony which usually takes place late in the summer. Here’s a little more about each individual…
G Logan Mankins (2005-2013)
Logan Mankins #70 of the New England Patriots gets ready on the line of scrimmage during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 27, 2005 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 26-16. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Drafted by the Patriots in the first round in 2005, Mankins played nine years in New England where he was one of the best guards in football. He played in and started 161 games between 2005 and 2013, which included playing 15 games in 2011 on a torn ACL (he’d tear his MCL during the postseason as well and play through that too).
During his time with the Patriots, Mankins was a six-time All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowler, was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and the Patriots’ All-2000s, All-2010s, All-Dynasty, and 50th anniversary teams.
This is Mankins’ second year as a finalist. He was also up last year, when Vince Wilfork was inducted.
LB Mike Vrabel (2001-2008)
Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots gets ready on the line of scrimmage during the game against the Green Bay Packers on November 19, 2006 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Patriots defeated the Packers 35-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The Patriots signed Vrabel as a free agent prior to the 2001 season, and he went on to be a key part of three Super Bowl winning defenses. In eight total seasons in New England Vrabel had 48 sacks, the fourth-most in franchise history. His 9.5 sacks in 2003 led that Super Bowl-winning team, as did his 12.5 in 2007 when he was named an All-Pro. Vrabel also had 13 forced fumbles and 11 interceptions in his 125 games in New England.
Defense wasn’t all Vrabel did. In goal line situations the team would occasionally use him as a tight end. He caught eight of his 11 career targets, with all eight ending in touchdowns. In the playoffs he was a perfect 2-for-2 with touchdowns in Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX.
Vrabel, who is now the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, has been a finalist every year since 2016. This will be his seventh time on the fan ballot.
Coach Bill Parcells (1980, 1993-1996)
Nov 21, 1993; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; New England Patriots head coach Bill Parcells on the sidelines against the Miami Dolphins at Pro Player Stadium. Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Parcells’ candidacy for the Patriots’ Hall of Fame seems to be a divisive argument whenever it comes up. HIs mixed history with the team has fans in one of two corners.
On one hand, he helped stabilize the Patriots’ organization after some rough years in the early 90s, amid relocation speculation. That included a trip to the Super Bowl in 1996. He was also named NFL He Coach of the Year in 1994. However, his departure from the franchise in 1997 didn’t come under the most amicable conditions.
Defenders will say as the head coach of the Patriots, he helped save football in New England. Those against his induction argue despite that, he never won a title, and his real legacy to New England football is his departure kicked off the string of events that led to the team hiring Bill Belichick just a few years later.
This will be Parcells’ fifth time as a finalist. He was also on the fan ballot in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2020.
