By Marako Taylor
Black Monday hasn’t disappointed when it comes to the Titans. A tweet from Jordan Schultz jump started the morning as many Titans fans are anxious to see if Mike Vrabel will be the Titans head coach in 2024. Per Jordan Schultz, sources to Bleacher Report said that Mike Vrabel is interested in the idea of returning to the Patriots should New England part ways with Bill Belichick.
Things got more interesting during locker room cleanup day. QB Will Levis spoke with the local media. He reflected on his rookie season but when asked about the rumblings surrounding the Mike Vrabel situation by Paul Kuharsky, Levis stated that he loves everyone in the building and hopes it stays the same. He also added that he doesn’t have a say in those types of things.
This is the part where questions popped in my head. If Will Levis actually knew Vrabel is going to be here, why is he hoping? It seems to me he would have made a more definitive statement. Also, why wasn’t there a press conference with Mike Vrabel today?
I feel like the team would’ve shut everything down today if there was nothing to these rumors and reports. I get not saying much or anything about it during the season, but the season is over for the Titans. Teams that know the direction they want to go don’t make the moves that the Titans are making. Also, the head coach doesn’t make demands.
I would advise everyone to take this report and form your own opinion about it. I take it as a list of demands for the simple fact that things definitely aren’t set in stone when it comes to the direction of the team. I will say this in Vrabel’s defense. This isn’t an outrageous list of demands. Vrabel seems like he only wants structure. He wants everything clear cut, and I can respect him for that at least.
I titled this “Mike Vrabel and Bill Belichick are Being Shopped as We Speak” for a reason. The reason is that I strongly believe the Patriots and Titans are shopping Vrabel and Belichick because both are still under contract, and both obviously haven’t been fired. Atlanta didn’t waste any time firing Art Smith. There was no meeting scheduled to discuss anything with the Falcons. Ron Rivera was fired this morning (1/8/24). Again, no meeting was scheduled to discuss anything. Meanwhile in Foxboro:
Its business-as-usual right? We know how the Patriots and Bill Belichick do business. They aren’t going to give you anything until it’s time to give it. It seemed like Belichick being fired was imminent. Well in business, no one wants to lose money. Belichick signed a contract extension in 2023 worth around $25 million a year that runs at least through 2024. The Patriots would have to pay Belichick if he’s fired. Both sides could work together and mutually agree to part ways as well. Honestly, that could be what their meeting is about later on this week. Then, there’s the option to trade him. Trading him and gaining some assets would be best situation for the Patriots especially if they want to trade for Mike Vrabel.
The Titans are in a similar situation with Mike Vrabel being under contract. I’m not going to repeat what was said above, but it makes more sense for the Titans to trade Mike Vrabel than to part ways with him or fire him. The Titans are in need of draft capital.
The Titans hold the 7th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Although they have 7 total picks, the Titans do not have a 3rd round pick. With the team being in a rebuild, acquiring more picks this year and possibly in the future would give Tennessee the resources needed to be able to bounce back from multiple failed draft classes.
With everything laid out on the table, I strongly feel like both the Patriots and Titans are shopping their head coach. This is the play in my opinion.
New England is seeking to trade Bill Belichick in order to gain draft capital. If successful, they will package up a number of draft picks and present it to Tennessee in an attempt to trade for Mike Vrabel.
What would a trade for Mike Vrabel look like? Well, Mike Vrabel is not Sean Payton. I do not believe that the Patriots would give up multiple 1st round draft picks, especially their 3rd overall pick. The Patriots lack talent at multiple positions just like the Titans. The only difference is, the Patriots are in need of a quarterback. Trading the 3rd overall pick would take them out of position to get one of the top quarterback prospects this year. A trade with the Falcons or Chargers might be possible for the Patriots, but more unlikely in my opinion. Both teams have top 10 draft pick with the Chargers holding the 5th overall pick, and the Falcons holding the 8th overall pick. Both teams are in need of a head coach, but Atlanta needs a quarterback as well. We all know the Chargers don’t lack talent especially at quarterback.
Oh yea, remember when I said Mike Vrabel isn’t Sean Payton? Well, Bill Belichick isn’t either. He’s better than Sean Payton. Belichick definitely is worth a haul of draft picks.
It’s going to be interesting to see how all this plays out. I feel like both New England and Tennessee are doing everything in their power to trade their respective head coaches. Either way, I do not believe Belichick will be the head coach in New England in 2024, and I do not believe Mike Vrabel will be the head coach in Tennessee in 2024.
Thanks for reading!!!
#TitanUp
