Could New England Patriots Trade for Coach Mike Vrabel? Titans Reveal Plan

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.

Teacher Bill Belichick and pupil Mike Vrabel, the present and future of the Patriots?

"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.''


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Mike Fisher
MIKE FISHER

Mike Fisher - as a newspaper beat writer and columnist and on radio and TV, where he is an Emmy winner - has covered the NFL since 1983. He is the author of two best-selling books on the NFL.