Mike Vrabel fired as Titans head coach after six seasons

The first week of the NFL offseason has claimed another head coaching victim. Mike Vrabel, who led the Tennessee Titans for the last six seasons, has been fired.

“Earlier today, I spoke with Mike Vrabel and told him about my decision to make a change at head coach,” team owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement on Tuesday.

“As I told Coach Vrabel, this decision was as difficult as any I’ve made as Controlling Owner. I appreciate Mike’s contributions to the Tennessee Titans both on and off the field. Anyone who has ever met him knows how passionate and genuine he is, and he’s been a strong supporter of the Nashville community.”

A long-time NFL linebacker and member of the New England Patriots Hall of Fame, Vrabel posted a winning record in his first four years as a job — including three that ended with a playoff berth. The last two seasons, however, have been less successful.

Not only did the team go 7-10 and 6-11, there also were rumors about friction within the organization. The hiring of Ran Carthon as general manager in particular did reportedly not sit well with Vrabel, who wanted another candidate to replace Jon Robinson after he was fired.

Now, Vrabel has become the sixth head coach to lose his job either during or immediately after the 2023 season. He is joining the Washington Commanders’ Ron Rivera and the Atlanta Falcons’ Arthur Smith, who were both let go on Monday, as well as the Las Vegas Raiders’ Josh McDaniels, Carolina Panthers’ Frank Reich, and Los Angeles Chargers’ Brandon Staley.