When the Patriots kicked off firing season by axing Jerod Mayo the idea was that room was being made for Mike Vrabel. The previous franchise legend’s identify was already circulating in teaching rumors, and it felt like New England needed to get a soar on the method. Now, only a few days later, Vrabel is shortly changing into one of many hottest teaching candidates of the 2025 cycle — and it’s now unclear the place he’ll land.
Three groups presently have plans to interview the previous Titans head coach. On Tuesday, he’s in New York to fulfill with the Jets about their emptiness. Vrabel then heads to Chicago to debate the Bears’ opening, earlier than rounding out his week with the New Orleans Saints.
Vrabel definitely has a resume worthy of getting interviews for these jobs, however the cause he’s popping up a lot proper now comes down to 3 key elements.
No. 1: We’re within the hiring lull proper now
That is firing season, however hiring season gained’t start for an additional week or two. NFL guidelines state that coordinators presently within the playoffs can’t interview with different groups — which drastically limits who is out there to speak to.
A number of the hottest names within the NFL gained’t be obtainable for weeks, probably till after the Tremendous Bowl. This included Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator Liam Coen, and Todd Monken of the Ravens.
Groups want to ascertain backup plans in the event that they swing and miss on among the greatest names of the cycle, and Vrabel can interview proper now — the place he’s arguably the perfect obtainable candidate who can interview proper now.
No. 2: Mike Vrabel is definitely actually good
Simply because he can interview proper now isn’t to say he’s a foul candidate. The Titans choice to fireside Vrabel stays one of the nonsensical teaching firings of the final decade.
In six seasons as head coach in Tennessee, he led the staff to a 54-45 report, taking the staff to the playoffs 3 times. This from a company that with out Vrabel had solely made it to the postseason 3 times within the 10 years prior. He didn’t have a franchise QB, and nonetheless acquired outcomes.
With out Vrabel the Titans went 3-14 and now have the primary decide within the draft.
A defensive-focused coach, with the correct offensive coordinator Vrabel might shortly flip a franchise round.
No. 3: This might nonetheless be chess from Vrabel
If the idea is Vrabel already had the Patriots’ job in hand, then it nonetheless behooves him to take interviews across the NFL. Regardless of the historical past between the coach and the Pats, it’s on him and his agent to maximise his wage — and that requires being coveted.
The opposite ingredient is that he might be the favourite for the Pats job, however is it the perfect place for him? There are lots of stable parts to the roster in New England, however there’s rather a lot of labor to be accomplished on each offense and protection to show this staff right into a winner. It might require a sluggish burn, thought of construct, and after going by that in Tennessee it wouldn’t be wild to imagine Vrabel would possibly need one thing simpler.