BREAKING: Vrabel Fired By Titans; Potential Patriots' Successor For Belichick?
If Robert Kraft indeed decides to part ways with Bill Belichick, his "home run hire" as a successor to the New England Patriots' legendary coach is now available.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday morning fired coach Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel, NFL Coach of the Year in 2021, has long been thought to be at the top of Kraft's wish list. A report in November called Vrabel, in fact, the "home run hire" as Belichick's replacement. He spent Tennessee's Bye week in Foxboro entering the Pats' Hall of Fame, wearing a New England jacket and sitting in Kraft's suite. Vrabel, for crying out loud, even referred to the Patriots as "we" during his induction speech.
Said Vrabel during halftime of the Pats' Oct. 22 upset win over the Buffalo Bills: "Come on, we've got a game to win. I can't be up here that long."
He played for Belichick with the Patriots from 2001-08, winning three Super Bowl rings as an All-Pro linebacker.
Vrabel was reportedly frustrated with team ownership in Nashville. Those concerns were addressed in a meeting with the front office, resulting in Vrabel being fired.
Vrabel was 6-18 in his last 24 games with the Titans and they missed the playoffs with a 6-11 record this year.
Said Vrabel last week, "Of course, I want to be here. But it also has been just frustrating this year. And nobody wants to be where we're at."
Current NFL head coaching vacancies:
Los Angeles Chargers
Washington Commanders
Carolina Panthers
Tennessee Titans
Las Vegas Raiders
Atlanta Falcons
