Could New England Patriots Trade for Coach Mike Vrabel? Titans Reveal Plan
It is a challenging and romantic and creative notion: The New England Patriots make a change at head coach this offseason by saying goodbye - via firing or trade - of legendary boss Bill Belichick.
That part of "challenging'' and "creative.'' Want to add "romantic''? The Pats then make a deal with the Tennessee Titans to "bring home'' coach Mike Vrabel to take over in New England. But ...
"It's not happening,'' reports NFL insider Dianna Russini of the supposed availability of Vrabel, who she says will return as Titans head coach next season.
"Based on multiple conversations with high-ranking Titans officials, the franchise strongly and collectively believes it has the right coach for long-term success," Russini wrote.
There is logic there, despite the Titans' poor 3-7 record. Vrabel owns a 51-41 record as the team's head coach, though Tennessee has dipped recently, having finished 7-10 in 2022.
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There is also some logic - "romantic'' as it might be - in the idea that Belichick, 71, if he departs, be replaced by a protege who knows "The Patriot Way,'' as Vrabel, 48, a former Pats player who was an All-Pro here in the 2000's, surely does.
At the same time - and here comes more non-romantic stuff: The Kraft family might think there needs to be a new "way'' to "The Patriot Way.''