When the Tennessee Titans fired former head coach Mike Vrabel after the 2023 NFL season, a widely-held belief was that he would find another head-coaching gig immediately.
But, as it turns out, that notion was wrong. Vrabel did receive multiple interviews for openings, but did not end up with another job. Instead, he took a consultant role with the Cleveland Browns as he waits for his next head-coaching opportunity.
While at training camp with the Browns this week, where he has been as active as ever on the practice field, the former Titans head coach touched on his ending in Tennessee.
“This is my 25th NFL training camp, so I would say that nothing surprises me in the National Football League,” Vrabel said, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic. “(Getting fired), that’s part of the job. I think it’s disappointing. I think you’re disappointed that you couldn’t do the job the way that they wanted it, or they envisioned it."
Here’s Mike Vrabel sprinting downfield with #Browns Jameis Winston after a set, as usual: pic.twitter.com/SBV8S7Ycvj
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) July 27, 2024
When it comes to his new job with the Browns, Vrabel says he felt this was the best thing for him and believes the role will help him learn, also.
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"But again, this is the opportunity that I think is best for me right now to be able to go through draft meetings, personnel meetings with (Browns general manager) Andrew Berry and his staff and see how that all got navigated and how they may do things," Vrabel said.
“There’s 32 flavors in this league, and everybody does it a little differently. So, it’s been fun to be a part of this and try to help where I can, and most especially learn.”
Vrabel was very successful over his first four seasons with the Titans. Vrabel didn't have a losing season in that span and led the Titans to an improbable AFC Championship Game appearance during the 2019 season.
He followed that up with two straight division titles, although the Titans weren't able to meet expectations in either of those seasons once they got the playoffs, as Tennessee was one-and-done two years in a row.
Things went off the rails after that, as the Titans went 7-10 and 6-11 over the next two years before Vrabel ultimately lost his job. Tennessee has since hired Brian Callahan, who offers a much-needed change in philosophy on offense.
