New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel made one thing clear from the moment he took over in January. He intends to create a new “culture” within both the team and the overall Patriots organization.

The centerpiece of that culture, Vrabel said during his introductory press conference, is “the ability to put the team first and care about someone besides yourself.”

That suggests he believes the Patriots have lacked a strong “team first” mindset over the past five seasons. Since Vrabel’s Titans beat the Patriots 20-13 in the Wild Card round on January 4, 2020, New England lost Tom Brady in free agency, then suffered four losing seasons in five years.

The Patriots ended both the 2023 and 2024 seasons with disappointing 4-13 records. It’s apparent Vrabel had a point when he said the team desperately needed a shift in mindset.

However, just two weeks into organized team activities (OTAs), Vrabel’s vision is already being tested — not by rookies new to the league, but by two experienced veterans signed this spring.

First, wide receiver Stefon Diggs was shown in an online video over Memorial Day weekend partying on a yacht near Miami, surrounded by women and handing out a mysterious pink substance.

Then, on Wednesday — while other Patriots players were at OTAs — new cornerback Carlton Davis III appeared in a video seemingly vacationing in the Caribbean, riding a jet ski.

Davis’s situation differs from Diggs’s. If the pink item Diggs had was illegal, the consequences could go far beyond internal discipline and bring serious trouble.

In contrast, Davis was merely seen enjoying a typical vacation. OTAs are optional — and reports confirm Davis was at the May 20 OTA, which was open to the media.

Signed to a three-year contract worth $18 million annually, with incentives pushing it to $60 million, the ex-Lions cornerback was the team’s second-highest-paid free agent this year.

The top signing was defensive tackle Milton Williams, from the Super Bowl-winning Eagles, who got a four-year, $104 million deal.

“Given that this is the biggest contract of his career, you’d expect Davis III to be leading by example and joining his teammates at OTAs,” wrote Fansided Lions reporter Michael Bohlin on Thursday.

Bohlin’s piece labeled Davis as “already slacking off after getting (a) major payday.”

“It’s likely that new coach Mike Vrabel expected more from someone he’s counting on defensively — especially after awarding him such a lucrative multi-year deal,” Bohlin added.