Former New England Patriots three-time Super Bowl champion Julian Edelman shared his honest thoughts on what sets Mike Vrabel apart from other NFL coaches.

According to Edelman, the Patriots coach is a perfect blend of brawn and brains.

“He’s the rare case of being a tough guy that’s really smart. It’s weird. He can alpha you with his presence, but he can also alpha you with his mouthpiece,” Edelman said on The Herd with Colin Cowherd.

That tough guy mentality carries over from Vrabel’s playing days.

The former All-Pro linebacker has been in the huddle for championship games and multiple Super Bowls. He knows the relentless grind it takes to get to the desired result of hoisting a Lombardi Trophy at the end of a season. But he can also balance the physical nature of the sport with a sharp mental approach.

His presence gives the Patriots the best of both worlds. They are going to play a brand of hard-nosed and smart football across the board. That approach led Vrabel to an AFC Championship Game in 2019 and NFL Coach of the Year honors in 2021.

Hopefully, it can take him a step further in New England.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Julian Edelman’s honest response on what makes Mike Vrabel different