Mike Vrabel’s stint as a marketing consultant with the Cleveland Browns in 2024 might need been transient, but it surely’s opened doorways for his return to move teaching.
The previous Tennessee Titans coach, who’s solely 49, is poised to enter this yr’s teaching carousel early, with interviews anticipated to start shortly.
After surprisingly lacking out final yr, Vrabel’s probabilities look a lot brighter this time round, particularly given the comparatively skinny area of candidates.
NFL Insider Connor Hughes has recognized three groups to control: the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Mike Vrabel is permitted to interview with groups for his or her head teaching vacancies now.
Jets, Bears, Raiders among the many three NFL to look at. https://t.co/P8o8rAYolZ
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) December 30, 2024
Every presents an intriguing alternative for Vrabel, who brings a powerful observe report from his time in Tennessee.
Throughout his six-year tenure with the Titans, he compiled a strong 54-45 report and earned NFL Coach of the 12 months honors in 2021.
His capacity to information the workforce to an AFC Championship Recreation look and set up a tradition of fast turnarounds makes him a sexy candidate for groups looking for transformation.
The Raiders scenario is especially fascinating. If the workforce strikes on from Coach Pierce, many NFL insiders imagine Vrabel may very well be their main goal.
His reference to Tom Brady (they had been teammates for eight years in New England) provides one other layer of intrigue to this chance.
In Chicago, the Bears confirmed flashes of defensive brilliance in late 2023, significantly after buying Montez Sweat.
Nevertheless, that momentum didn’t carry ahead below Matt Eberflus in 2024, regardless of the wealth of younger expertise.
Vrabel’s defensive experience may very well be precisely what the Bears want to maximise their potential and grow to be an elite defensive unit.
The Jets current one other compelling possibility, although they face an analogous dilemma to the Bears. After parting methods with their head coach midseason, they could lean towards an offensive-minded chief following Robert Saleh’s tenure.
Nevertheless, Vrabel’s confirmed capacity to keep up defensive excellence whereas managing all the workforce may make him an interesting alternative, particularly given the glimpses of defensive prowess the Jets displayed below Saleh.
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