Jets interview Mike Vrabel for head-coaching job
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel argues a call during the first half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. Credit: AP/George Walker IV
The Jets are getting a jump on the competition for Mike Vrabel. They interviewed him for their head-coaching position on Friday, the team announced.
The former Titans coach is considered a leading candidate for the Jets’ job as well as many other openings in this coaching cycle and could demand a high salary.
There are only three jobs currently open — the Jets, Bears and Saints. With the regular season ending on Sunday, more will become available next week.
The Jets, who fired Robert Saleh after a Week 5 loss, would prefer someone with head-coaching experience and a strong background to lead their team.
The Jets are 4-12 heading into Sunday’s season finale against Miami and have missed the playoffs for 14 consecutive years.
They also are conducting a search for a new general manager. If the Jets were to hire a coach before a GM, Vrabel would be a prime candidate. The Jets could even let him have input in picking the GM if the two sides ultimately can reach an agreement.
Vrabel spent six seasons as the Titans’ head coach from 2018-23. He went 54-45 and led Tennessee to the playoffs three times. The Titans twice were the No. 1 seed in the AFC and made it to the AFC Championship Game after the 2019 season.
Vrabel was the NFL Coach of the Year in 2021 after guiding Tennessee to a 12-5 mark.
After being fired by the Titans last year, he spent this season serving as a coaching consultant for the Browns. His agreement with Cleveland ended on Monday, freeing him to begin interviewing for jobs.
The Jets are the first team known to have interviewed Vrabel. He’s their second known coaching interview. They met with former Panthers and Commanders coach Ron Rivera on Thursday.
Vrabel also has been linked to the Raiders and Patriots if they were to have coaching vacancies.
The former linebacker played eight years with New England, helping the Patriots to three Super Bowls. Tom Brady and Richard Seymour, his former New England teammates, are minority owners of the Raiders.
Vrabel spent 12 seasons playing linebacker in the NFL for Pittsburgh, New England and Kansas City. He made one Pro Bowl and was All-Pro once.
Vrabel began his NFL coaching career in 2014 as the Texans' linebackers coach. He held that position for three years and spent one year as Houston’s defensive coordinator before being hired by Tennessee.
Owner Woody Johnson hired The 33rd Team to help in both of the Jets’ searches. The project is headed by former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum and former Vikings GM Chris Spielman. Johnson will have the final say in whom the Jets hire for both jobs.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
