The NFL coaching carousel continues as news broke Monday afternoon that Mike Vrabel has been given clearance to leave the Cleveland Browns, where he acted as a personnel consultant for the team this season.
Teams like the New York Jets, New England Patriots, and others seemingly need leadership after this season, making Vrabel instantly one of the most sought-after nominees in the league. The Browns were officially eliminated from playoff contention with a 3-13 record and are allowing Vrabel to explore other options after his one-year stint with the team.
He joined Cleveland in 2024 after being fired from the job with the Tennessee Titans, where he compiled a 54-45 winning record over six seasons.
Vrabel had four winning years with the team, including three playoff appearances and an AFC Championship berth in 2020. Despite his proven success, the Titans moved on after a 6-11 record in his last season. Given their 3-13 performance under first-year coach Brian Callahan, they might now regret that decision.
Vrabel’s stature as a disciplined, player-first coach contained a gift for getting the most out of players like AJ Brown, Ryan Tannehill, and Derrick Henry. Henry won AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2020 in Vrabel’s gritty, run-heavy schemes. Those key factors have put him at the top of the hiring cycle. While his playcalling is proven, Vrabel’s ability to cultivate a winning culture, even without elite quarterback play, has been praised by several of his ex-players in the past.
“Wow. Wow. I’m shocked. Coach Vrabel is a leader of men. He is a great coach and teacher,” said Henry in reaction to the firing. “I know he will get another opportunity right away. I look forward to it.”
The Jets are coming from a forgettable season where interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich led them to a 2-8 record after replacing Robert Saleh. The team even traded for Davante Adams midseason and fired GM Joe Douglas to correct itself, but hopeful results didn’t follow.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported mutual interest between Vrabel and the Jets, with Vrabel reportedly stating he would consider the role depending on the new GM hire. “He doesn’t care what Belichick thinks,” said Cimini to clear up rumors. “He’ll judge the situation based on its own merit.”
Vrabel’s ties to New England run deep, as a player from 2001 to 2008. He was a cornerstone of the Patriots dynasty, winning three Super Bowls and earning a spot in the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2023.
The organization hired Jerod Mayo after Bill Belichick’s departure, but his inaugural season has been a disaster. The Patriots have a 3-13 record with one game left in the season, stained by allegations of poor leadership and mishandling rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Speculation is growing that Vrabel could finally get the New England job he has long coveted.
**Want to watch more live sports? Peacock has your favorite sports, shows, and more all in one place. **Peacock offers plans starting at $7.99** so you can stream live sports like NFL, Premier League, and Big Ten Football.**
Leave a Reply