The Jets are one of three teams with a head coaching vacancy at this point, and other openings will no doubt be in place once the regular season ends. When the hiring season opens, Mike Vrabel will be among the top names to watch. 
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The former Titans head coach is currently finishing out the 2024 season in his Browns post, but he could very well be on the move soon. Vrabel will “probably” be the most sought-after coach during the offseason, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes. Breer adds each of the three teams currently known to be in need of a new coach (Jets, Saints and Bears) have Vrabel on their radar, which comes as no surprise. New York in particular could emerge as a strong suitor.
Vrabel’s name has come up more often than that of any other HC candidate with respect to the Jets’ opening, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post reports. New York will have competition for the 49-year-old if his market proves to be as strong as it is expected to be. As La Canfora notes, however, the fact that the Jets have a general manager interview lined up with Jon Robinson is an indication Vrabel is high on the team’s list of preferred candidates. Vrabel and Robinson worked together in Tennessee, and reuniting that pairing would represent a feasible move on New York’s part.
The Jets are using The 33rd Team as part of the ongoing general manager and head coaching searches, a process which has seen Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman take point. Their input will be key in informing the organization’s ultimate decision on both fronts, so connections to the candidates for each post are important to monitor. In that regard, Vrabel is a candidate to watch closely.
“Rick Spielman loves Mike Vrabel,” an anonymous executive told La Canfora. “He’s always loved Vrabel. That’s the guy they want.” A GM concurred that Vrabel (meeting the criteria of an experienced NFL head coach) is the Jets’ preferred option.
The Titans made the postseason during three of Vrabel’s first four seasons at the helm, including a trip to the AFC title game in 2019. Over his final two years, though, the team went 13-21 and Tennessee cleaned house by resetting on the sidelines and in the front office. Vrabel’s stock has not taken a hit, given the fact he has been floated as a candidate for the Bears and – should they make a change this winter – the Patriots.
The Browns made a new commitment to Kevin Stefanski with an offseason extension, and owner Jimmy Haslam recently confirmed an organizational reset is not being considered. If Vrabel is to land another head coaching opportunity this offseason, it will therefore come with an outside organization. The Jets will no doubt continue to be linked to him over the coming weeks.
Rex Ryan: “I should be the most sought after coach during the offseason” 🙂
Maybe he can get another tattoo of a bad QB once again!
Vrabel is a good coach, as long as he can bring in a strong offensive coordinator. There’s also something to be said for the Jets hiring a coach who can pick up Woody Johnson by the scruff of his neck like a misbehaving kitten.
This will not be popular, but if they go with Vrabel, I think that they should stick with Rodgers and bolster their offensive line. The problem would be getting Johnson to stay out of affairs-he may have poisoned the well too much to make that possible. You have to wonder why they wouldn’t have just kept Saleh to begin with.
If Vrabel is hired, they’re going to get a placeholder quarterback for a year anyway-unless they want to throw one of these imperfect prospects behind the line that they have now and a single good receiver in Wilson (if Rodgers goes, so will Adams). It’ll be the Zach Wilson/Sam Darnold years all over again. If the Jets choose a young offensive coach instead, one could make an argument for a roster reset, but pairing Vrabel with a veteran quarterback for a year seems like it will happen either way. Why not use the one that you’re already paying in his second year playing there? It won’t be popular, but considering the alternatives, it makes more sense. The only hang up-and granted, it’s a huge one-is Johnson.
Sigh. I could kind of see it. I’m extremely tired of Rodgers the person off the field and Rodgers the power player in an organization, but Rodgers on the field has been better as advertised, even if he’s not an MVP contender anymore. But even with Vrabel, they would need an offensive coach who can say no to Rodgers and make him do things he doesn’t like doing, like LaFleur did. We know Vrabel has worked well with the other LaFleur, but unfortunately, the Jets already made him a scapegoat once before.
Agreed. I actually think that the younger LaFleur got an undo amount of blame for the struggles that year-Mike White looked much better than than the record suggested that year.
It shouldnt be an unpopular decision to go with the QB whos putting up a top 3 Jets all time season for us. The offensive unit, though theyve had their share of bad games (like every team in the league) they are not the problem. In 2022 we begged for a middle of the pack QB who can simply complete a check down and game manage, Rodgers has been better than that. Rodgers has as many passing TDs this year as Zach did in his 3 years. All the off field “drama” was also purely concocted by media for clicks as all footage we have available and everyone’s testimonies point to Rodgers have a good relationship with Saleh and Joe D and the lockeroom. The defense and ST is what took a major step back this year. Unfortunately, the only thing most people know about football is the names of QBs and team records, even here, so Rodgers is getting most of the blame.
Adams left Rodgers before, so if the money is still on the table, that’s where he’ll go.
I can see a David Carr 1 year fill in, but I don’t think that’s how a new coach would want to start things off. Personally I believe the Jets need to conduct a mini reset and rid themselves of AR and DA and focus on the youth movement and see if they can grab a QB they feel will do it – and commit to him. Personally, I can’t see why Darnold couldn’t be brought back and they take the pick and draft another OL. At least this time Darnold will be better situated, which I don’t think he was at all the last time. He’s obviously shown that if placed in the right setting, he can perform. Jets management has been the cause for their demise.
David Carr? Also, Adams left to play with another QB he had a connection with after rumors Rodgers was going to be out/retire in GB.
What youth movement? We just had one and we needed the vet experience to add to it. AR and DA are not the problems. Keeping them and having a young GW and possibly a young QB (other than JT) learn from Rodgers is best case in short term and long term. Getting fools golded by Darnold when the Vikings have JJ and one of the better offensive coaches in the league is not desirable in the slightest
Why would Vrabel do that to himself?
I think Vrabel would hate the New York media lmao if anyone is a fit it’s probably raiders if they don’t keep Pierce
@Stabby McShank; agree. Sounds like he’s in demand. IE. Don’t go with the team offering the biggest salary contract, Mike.
Prioritize organizational stability, young fella. My gut says if Sean Payton doesn’t get tripped up in that Dolphins tampering case; he’s still with New Orleans today?! Amatuer hour here, but if you do have a choice between the Saints, Bears and Jets; go with the Saints. Yes? No? Maybe?
I’d go with the Bears and the young QB who has one of the highest ceilings in the game. That said, that’s exactly why Ben Johnson should take the Bears job this offseason. He’s a better fit for Chicago than Vrabel, IMO.
@myaccount2; if I was Mike (and I’m not, LOL), I’d want to select my future QB and not go in to a situation where that has already been determined like it has in Chicago. In New Orleans, he could either keep Carr (or maybe replace with him with familiar face Tannehill) for another year or 2 until he gets his guy… and whether that us vua draft or trade.
I suppose having the opportunity to choose your own QB is never a bad thing, but I guess for me I’m just not sure that there’s a better QB option this year than Caleb. It certainly should not be expected to come from the draft, at least, and I don’t think Carr or Tannehill set him up for the same long-term success.
Vrabel was made by Henry. As was Arthur Smith. These 2 have made a career off of having the greatest RB of a generation pummel through competition while being in the weakest division of maybe any of the 4 major sports. Buyer beware – this guys a chump.
Any coach prospect worth his salt likely evaluates a teams players, draft slots, admin and owner.
That in mind the Jets are too much confusing trouble. There’s some good players on D, Vrabels domain, but the owner, Oline, WRs, old QB and his minions – doesn’t flash as a great fit.
Saints – too many holes and too much credit card debt
Bears? Young QB, 3 good WRs, some D pieces, needs Oline (all), TE and better LB & DBs.
Maybe the Jags might be an option, but I’d put a dollar on the Raiders.
Would be nice if the Browns did fire Stefanski, and then hired Vrabel. But Berry and DePodesta need to be jettisoned, too.
Dont do it Mike!!