Unsurprisingly, Mike Vrabel is among the many most sought-after candidates within the 2025 hiring cycle. Already on the radar of the Jets and Patriots, the previous Coach of the 12 months is drawing additional curiosity.
The Bears have lined up an interview with Vrabel, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports. He added that the assembly would happen on Wednesday. Chicago despatched out a number of interview requests Monday, however in Vrabel’s case, that’s pointless. The previous Titans coach lately noticed his consulting contract with the Browns expire, leaving him free to talk with groups at any time.
Vrabel has already interviewed with the Jets, and the identical will very doubtless be the case with the Patriots quickly. New England fired Jerod Mayo on Sunday, ending his run as head coach after just one season. Within the instant aftermath of that call, many pointed to Vrabel as Mayo’s doubtless successor. Certainly, as factor stand, the previous Patriots linebacker is considered New England’s preferred choice. Vrabel could have a number of choices to contemplate previous to taking the Patriots gig if that seems to be his intent, although.
Chicago’s list of targets contains a variety of skilled former head coaches — together with Vrabel and longtime Seahawks HC Pete Carroll — in addition to lots of the prime coordinators in the marketplace. Vrabel spent six years on the helm of the Titans, main the group to 3 straight postseason appearances (2019-21). The group’s downward pattern in his final two years — leading to a 13-21 document — has not broken his inventory across the league, given the curiosity proven thus far.
That features the Jets, Patriots and Bears, however one of many different groups with a emptiness can be wanting into Vrabel. The Saints are in touch and are trying to line up an interview, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports. New Orleans has been looking out for a brand new coach since Dennis Allen‘s firing halfway by means of the marketing campaign, and the group despatched out 5 interview requests Monday. Earlier than that occurred, Vrabel had already been mentioned as a name to watch for the Saints, so it comes as no shock a gathering will doubtless be on the books quickly.
For the coaches of playoff groups, guidelines are in place governing when (and, with respect to digital or in-person interviews, how) candidates can meet with suitors. That doesn’t apply to Vrabel, after all, so he may very well be among the many first dominoes to fall throughout this 12 months’s hiring cycle. It will likely be fascinating to see how his preliminary spherical of interviews shakes out.
