Patriots’ new addition got hilarious nickname from Mike Vrabel for his off-the-field superpower during his time in Tennessee
FOXBOROUGH, Mass – New Patriots linebacker Jack Gibbens earned an interesting nickname during his rookie season, and it came from none other than Mike Vrabel. The Tennessee Titans signed Gibbens as a undrafted free agent out of the University of Minnesota in 2022, and he immediately caught the eye of Vrabel due to his inquisitive nature. […]
FOXBOROUGH, Mass – New Patriots linebacker Jack Gibbens earned an interesting nickname during his rookie season, and it came from none other than Mike Vrabel.
The Tennessee Titans signed Gibbens as a undrafted free agent out of the University of Minnesota in 2022, and he immediately caught the eye of Vrabel due to his inquisitive nature.
“That was my rookie year. He just started calling me Dr. Gibby, like in rookie minicamp itself,” Gibbens told reporters on Thursday. “He likes to ask a lot of questions and quiz people, and I answered a few right. He started calling me ‘doctor.’
"I had to let him know that I didn’t study medicine at school. He let me know it was a joke.”
So fast-forward to 2025 with the two now having reunited in New England, and Vrabel is stilling referring to him as 'Dr. Gibby.'
But, it hasn't caught on with the rest of the team… yet.
“Just him, really,” Gibbens explained. “Not many other people have caught on to it, but he still calls me Doc every now and then.”
Gibbens truly proved himself in Tennessee and specifically to Vrabel. After being released as part of final roster cuts in 2022, he eventually re-signed to the practice squad before making his NFL debut in December. Then, in 2023, Gibbens made the final roster after training camp, and finished the year with the second most tackles on the team (95).
The Titans ultimately placed the exclusive rights tender on Gibbens ahead of the 2024 season, but a season-ending ankle injury that required surgery ended his year early.
So, when he became a free agent this offseason, Vrabel came calling once again.
“I definitely just really appreciate the type of program that he builds, where it’s built on effort and knowing what to do, playing really hard, being accountable to your teammates,” Gibbens said of Vrabel. “He holds everyone to the same standard, and I think he gives opportunities. He always says that they’re going to treat you how you treat the team. And I really appreciated that with my time in Tennessee, and that’s a big reason why I wanted to come out here. I just love the accountability and you get what you work for here.”
