Mike Vrabel Fired in Surprising Tennessee Titans Shake-Up

Old Prof January 11, 2024 in Featured, NFL Tagged New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans - 2 Minutes

In shocking news, this morning the Tennessee Titans announced that they have fired head coach Mike Vrabel after six years leading the team. Despite a strong 54-45 record, three playoff berths, and Vrabel’s 2021 AP Coach of the Year award, the Titans’ recent issues on the field seemed to prompt this surprising move.

With the news of the move, the team’s controlling owner, Amy Adams Strunk, expressed a need for an “aligned and collaborative team across all football functions.” If one could guess, after hiring General Manager Ran Carthon last year, the two visions for the team reportedly didn’t align. Now, Vrabel will take his coaching style on the road.

The Titans’ Record Over the Past Two Seasons Led to the Move

The Titans’ performance over the last two seasons, with a 7-21 record, obviously was a key issue that led to Vrabel’s being let go. How quickly things changed. During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, the team had put up an impressive 23-10 record. The recent decline in the team’s performance was noticable.

Tennessee Titan players Derrick Henry, the team’s star running back, an former tackle Taylor Lewan expressed shock at the firing. Both called it “a big mistake” and emphasized Vrabel’s excellence as a coach. One can imagine that, although he wasn’t wanted in Tennessee, Vrabel’s availability will spark interest.

REPORT:

Per: @RapSheet

Part of the reason that Mike Vrabel was fired by Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk was due to how he acted during his Patriots hall of fame weekend.

How he never dispelled rumors that he was going to coach the Patriots

👀😂 pic.twitter.com/r3xjSeVKYX
— Savage (@SavageSports_) January 10, 2024

Many NFL analysts see a potential reunion between Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots as a “match made in heaven.” Vrabel spent much his playing career with the Patriots and won three Super Bowl rings with Bill Belichick as his coach. With uncertainties surrounding Belichick’s future after 23 seasons with the Patriots, Vrabel would be a seamless successor. However, is Belichick ready to step down? And, even if he is, when might that happen?

Vrabel Might Not Be Without a Job Long

Vrabel’s availability is intriguing. It would seem that he wouldn’t be long without a job. And, there’s always lots of movement in the NFL. So, the hiring cycle is ongoing. Teams with coaching vacancies now have an experienced and respected coach they might choose from.