The Tennessee Titans parted ways with Mike Vrabel last offseason and moved on to the Brian Callahan era. Vrabel didn't end up getting hired to coach another team in 2024 but that likely won't be the case in 2025. In fact, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated thinks he knows the perfect fit for the former Titans head coach.
In Breer's weekly mailbag column, one user asked which retreads would likely be considered for the New York Jets' head coach opening. The user even listed Vrabel in his question, noting, "I don't think Vrabel is coming", which then led to Breer stating that he thinks Vrabel would be a great fit for the Jets.
"Mike Vrabel makes the most sense to me, mostly because he won’t stand down to an owner, and that’s exactly what the New York Jets need. The problem, of course, is what you alluded to, which is that most coaches like that aren’t going to want to work for owner Woody Johnson."
Could Mike Vrabel be coaching the Jets in 2025?
Vrabel had tremendous success while coaching the Titans, posting winning seasons in his first four years and leading Tennessee to the AFC Championship Game in just his second year on the job. In the 2021 season with Ryan Tannehill as his quarterback, Vrabel helped get the Titans the number one seed in the AFC playoffs.
Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there. The Titans lost in the first round of the postseason that year and didn't make it into the big dance in 2022 or 2023. The front office decided it was time for a change following a disappointing 6-11 record in 2023 and Vrabel was relieved of his duties.
While Vrabel took the year off from coaching, he's still working in the NFL, serving as the coaching and personnel consultant for the Cleveland Browns. That being said, teams are going to be interested in interviewing Vrabel after the success he had in Nashville and it wouldn't be surprising to see him land a head coaching job in 2025.
The Jets could make sense for Vrabel for the reason Breer listed. He's not going to take crap from anyone above him and the Jets need some tough love. As Breer also said, however, the Jets owner could scare some potential candidates off. Would Vrabel be interested in trying to turn around the Jets, who haven't reached the playoffs since the 2010 season?
We'll have to see how the offseason unfolds for the former Titans head coach.