We’re days away from Christmas, which means 2025 is just around the corner. The holidays allow people to reflect on this past year with aspirations for improvement into the new year. So, New Year’s resolutions are being worked on as everyone looks to improve themselves. With the chance for change quickly approaching, the New York Jets have begun looking forward. As the end 2024 season draws close, the New Jersey-based franchise is searching for its next duo at both general manager and head coach. Interviews have already begun for the general manager search. Two known names include 2016 NFC champion & ex Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff & former Tennessee Titans GM Jon Robinson. The latter of the two points to a potential head coach option as well. Between a potential Jon Robinson hire & an offensive staff that Robinson hired in Tennessee currently on the Jets sideline; is Mike Vrabel to New York possible?
Jets Interested in Defensive Genius for Head Coach?
The head coach search will however take more time. More candidates will emerge from the woodwork when teams allow current assistants to interview starting in January. However, one popular name has the team interested. Former Tennessee Titans head coach and current Cleveland Browns consultant Mike Vrabel has been rumored to be a high candidate for the position. While his tenure ended with back-to-back losing seasons, Mike Vrabel played a large role in turning the Titans into a playoff contender at the end of the previous decade. Can the ex-New England Patriot linebacker turned coach help start the New York Jets rebuild in 2025?
Disappointing 2024 leading to rebuild in 2025
The 2024 New York Jets season was filled with empty promises that the team failed to deliver on. The media attention and excitement have fizzled out with a 14th consecutive season without a playoff appearance. The team’s one coveted defense has regressed from its 2023 peak. Aaron Rodgers has done more to fill his own stat sheet & media appearances than leading. Injuries to key positions depleting depth. At 4-10, it’s simply not good enough for a team with playoff aspirations. This led to the unprecedented early dismissals of both head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas before the Thanksgiving turkey could be carved.
With a new front office and head coach coming into 2025, it seldom makes sense to handicap the new regime trying to make it work with certain veterans. While he’s performed better, it’s too little too late to justify keeping Aaron Rodgers next year. Primarily, New York needs work fortifying their defensive and offensive lines, as well as addressing both the safety and tight end positions. To help the defense, perhaps a pupil of Bill Belichick could be of help.
Mike Vrabel a high candidate for the Jets Head Coach Job
Before becoming a head coach, Mike Vrabel was a veteran linebacker in the NFL for 14 seasons. Most notably for the New England Patriots, Vrabel was a part of three of the Patriots Super Bowl wins between 2001 and 2004. During the Patriots’ 16-0 season in 2007, Mike Vrabel had 12.5 sacks, serving as a valuable piece of the defense while earning First-Team All-Pro honors.
After retiring in 2010, Vrabel began his coaching career. The former Ohio State Buckeye returned to school as a defensive assistant. After three seasons at Ohio State, he took his first coaching job in the NFL. Vrabel joined ex-Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien on his coaching staff with the Houston Texans. While there, he worked closely with veteran defensive coach Romeo Crennel to mold his coaching philosophy. Working with players like Jadevon Clowney, Whitney Mercilus, Benardrick McKinney, and JJ Watt. This led to Vrabel becoming a highly sought-after head coach candidate. Vrabel ascended to the rank of defensive coordinator in 2017.
Tenure in Tennessee
During the 2018 off-season, Vrabel would leave the Texans to serve as the next head coach for the Tennessee Titans, replacing Mike Mularkey. Vrabel proved to be an asset his first season, going 9-7 and improving the Titans defense. Tennessee went from allowing 22.3 points per game to 18.9; the third lowest scoring defense in the league. But 2019 would be the breakout year. While staying at 9-7, the Titans’ offense became more well-rounded with veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill joining star running back Derrick Henry and wide receiver AJ Brown. As a result, the Titans made it to the AFC Championship game, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs 35-24.
Unfortunately for Vrabel, that would be the last season with a playoff win under his belt. Despite going a combined 23-10 between 2020-2021, the Titans lost in both their playoff appearances the following seasons. Injuries to the offensive line and the AJ Brown trade left the Titans with more questions than answers. Which in turn, led to regression from quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Although the defense would improve thanks to the emergence of Jeffrey Simmons on the defensive line; the Titans would go 7-10 in 2022 and 6-11 in 2023. Ultimately leading to Vrabel’s dismissal on January 9, 2024.
What Mike Vrabel would bring to the Jets?
While his time in Tennessee ended on a sour note, Mike Vrabel could be a valuable asset for the Jets. He’s one of the limited candidates with multiple seasons of experience as a head coach. A long-time student under Bill Belichick and Romeo Crennel, Vrabel’s commanding personality would be welcomed on the sideline. With personal experience as an outside linebacker in the NFL, Vrabel can be an asset for improving the Jets pass rush through the duo of Will McDonald IV & Jermaine Johnson II. In addition, Mike Vrabel’s ability to turn Jeffery Simmons into a dominant defensive tackle is great news for Jets star Quinnen Williams.
Another reason for Vrabel’s fit is his experience with the current offensive staff. Passing game coordinator & offensive play-caller Todd Downing served for five years under Mike Vrabel in Tennessee. As well as running backs coach Tony Dews and offensive line coach Keith Carter. Should Vrabel be hired, it would give the team an advantage of replacing an entire offensive staff if needed.
It’s hard to pinpoint who the head coach should be without a general manager. However, a candidate with Vrabel’s experience and credentials is tough to pass up on. Time will tell, but the pairing seems like a nice outcome for the New York Jets should he be hired.
Main Photo: [Bob Donnan] – USA Today Sports
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