FOXBORO — Seeing Steelers uniforms across the field could bring back some memories for Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.

Vrabel is best known for playing for the Patriots during his 14-year NFL career, but he was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He served as a backup during his four years with the Steelers before going on to become one of the Patriots’ most impactful players during their first dynasty run.

Related Articles

Patriots’ top defender Christian Gonzalez practices for third straight day

Patriots’ young offensive linemen quickly developing in-season

Callahan: The Patriots’ offense is evolving and more Week 3 thoughts

Patriots see progress from two players on latest injury report

Josh McDaniels raves about Drake Maye’s ‘fantastic’ improvement, intangibles

“I think a really well-run, family organization,” Vrabel recalled about his time with the Steelers. “Just the Rooney family, I was very lucky to be brought into the NFL by that organization. I learned a lot, great veterans. The veterans that showed us what it was like to be a pro, what it was like, had guys like Dermontti Dawson, Mark Bruener, and I can go on and on and on. Levon Kirkland, Carnell Lake, all these different players that were unbelievable players, but people, husbands and fathers, and really, that’s the NFL that I knew. It was impressive.”

Vrabel is 0-3 coaching against the Steelers. The Steelers come to Foxboro with a 1-1 record, beating the Jets in Week 1 and falling to the Seahawks in Week 2.