The offseason head coaching market will be loaded with names. While iconic HC Bill Belichick, Lions OC Ben Johnson, and even Colorado HC Deion Sanders will steal headlines, another name may be the most sought-after individual among the options.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Mike Vrabel is getting the “most hype” among the player-turned-coach options. Russini notes that team owners are targeting “culture-builders” as they pursue head coaches. Vrabel earned that reputation during his time as the Titans head coach, and he’s known for relating to his players while also holding them accountable.
Considering the positive view on Vrabel, he was one of the most surprising casualties during last year’s coaching carousel. Tennessee’s 13-21 record between 2022 and 2023 naturally led to his demise. However, there were many pundits who believed Vrabel deserved a longer leash after guiding the Titans to 41 wins between 2018 and 2021 (with three-straight playoff nods, including an AFC Championship appearance).
The 49-year-old was a finalist for the Chargers and Falcons openings this past offseason, and he was loosely connected to a reunion with the Patriots. Ultimately, Vrabel took a consulting gig with the Browns while he eyes a job for the 2025 campaign.
Fortunately for Vrabel, there should be plenty of gigs to choose from. Russini says coaching vacancies could reach double digits, with the reporter comparing the upcoming offseason to 2021, when 10 teams added head coaches. Josina Anderson shares a similar sentiment, noting that she’s heard of seven head coaches who are currently on the hot seat (beyond the interim HCs with the Saints and Jets).
I wonder who his OC will be. I’m guessing it’ll be Mike LaFluer. Unless he goes somewhere like Philly who has an OC
That makes a lot of sense. Hadn’t thought of that. It actually makes me feel even better about him as a candidate
I could see the Jets (who really just should have kept Saleh). I could also see the Cowboys. In fact, any team looking for a veteran head coach to get a team’s culture in order (as opposed to a young innovator to get creative) could consider Vrabel as a younger option to the older notable veteran head coach seeking employment.
I could see those. For some reason, I feel like Jacksonville might be the fit. I can just picture them liking him.
He knows the division already.
Stay in Cleveland, and dump the chump Stefanski.
Browns since he is an Ohio guy.
Stef a COY and earned that, if Stef is okay with Watson still being QB he likely stays though. If ownership is willing to accept their loss at QB they can reset everything.
I understand that there are only 32 head coaching gigs in the league. The best job by far is the team with the best quarterback period. Justin Herbert made the Charger job the most desirable last cycle. The Bengals is where I would want to go. Jacksonville would be better to. Would you want to go to New York for either job? Cleveland? Dallas would be desirable with a league average overpaid qb but would you want to coach in that bubble that’s a total circus?
Saints? Eeeh
Chicago? Bad ownership
Carolina? Even worse ownership
Ben Johnson should just make the right choice.
My wildcard. The hoodie in San Francisco
I’m, Shad Khan and Trevor Lawrence, are you high? Mike Brown? Oh wait, Jimmy Haslam and Watson? Chicago is hands down the best job. Young, talented QB just need a good OC and a heavy investment in the line.
The problem with the Bears is they will fire you after a season.
The Bears have the downside of being in the NFL’s toughest division (with due respect to the Steelers and Ravens). That’s 8 games a year that can impact win totals and playoff prospects for a new coach.
I wonder if I’m the only person in the forum who snickers or rolls their eyes when they hear that term “culture building”. Yeah, that might have existed back in the 50s or 60s but the the NFL is strictly a business entity now with no loyalty between management and players. Honestly, the owners are more concerned with finding ways to fleece fans for an extra buck than building any culture.
I’m a Browns fan. I promise you, culture is important lol
It’s also a copy cat league – culture rebuild doing pretty well in Detroit. Problem is if you already have that high paid or high pick QB, it’s harder for an owner to go the patient route.
There were 25 years where the Lions didn’t even play games in Detroit (1975-2001 they were in Pontiac Michigan) so their dedication to “culture” seems a bit suspect to me.
Haha…..Shanahan isn’t going anywhere, you kidding, he’s your coach , he’ll get a chance to rebuild the team a couple times before he’s gone, first time I’ve heard of someone calling for his head already……good one
Get on Twitter, there’s clowns calling for his head after every loss lol
…..good one soccer_ref
Prime Tin will wait and go where Sheduer goes. I can see him wiggling his way on a team as a consultant at least. That is why I would hate for Seattle to draft him if he is there. I doubt he will be. I just think Primer will be too involved in his son’s career. Prime slime will be a weight on the team his kid is drafted by.
Vrable or Johnson to Nola ⚜️