Kevin Stefanski Shares What Mike Vrabel Brings To The Browns Staff

After not landing a job during the NFL's latest head coach hiring cycle, former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel joined the Browns staff earlier this offseason as a consultant to head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry.

Dec 31, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel reacts during the first / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

It was assumed back in January that Mike Vrabel would be a hot commodity during the NFL's head coach hiring cycle. When the dust settled on another year of candidate vetting though, all the top jobs around the league had been filled and the ex-Titans head man was still available.

That's where the Browns swooped in, adding the Akron native to their staff back on March 15 as a coaching and personnel consultant for next season. The move pairs head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry with one of the top football minds in the game today. It was an easy decision for the Browns brass as soon as they learned that Vrabel went unhired.

"So when he didn’t have a head coaching job this last cycle, I made sure that he knew that we would love to get him up there in some capacity," Stefanski said at the annual league owner's meeting Monday. "So that was really the beginning of that conversation. But just having him, we had him up there last week, did a great job. He’s a resource. He’s a resource for me. He’s a resource for Andrew and I’m very, very excited to have him.”

Stefanski, Berry and company continually preach that their operation out in Berea is one centered on "collaboration." Multiple view points and perspectives are welcomed as they build a roster and put together the weekly game plan. That's s Stefanski is looking to do with the new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey – hired by the team back in January to replace Alex Van Pelt. The duo of offensive coaches are expected to put their heads together this offseason and build an offense to the liking of star quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Now, Stefanski and Berry have another brain to pick as the prepare for the 2024 season. As for Vrabel, it's a chance to stay around the game in hopes of earning a head coaching job next hiring cycle, with the added bonus that he gets to work for the franchise he grew up cheering for.

"From my perspective, we’re very excited to get Vrabes up there," said Stefanski. "I can tell you, just having him and throwing a brown sweatshirt on him was a big deal for me. Get the kid back up in northeast Ohio. He’s a person that I feel really strongly about the person and the coach, and I’ve developed a relationship with Vrabes over the years. Andrew has as well."