Could they hire him?
According to SNY’s Connor Hughes, the New York Jets’ interview with head coach candidate Mike Vrabel at the team’s facility on Friday went “very well” for all parties involved.
“From my understanding, it went very, very, very well; that is a feeling shared by both sides of this equation,” Hughes said. “This is a unique head coach search for the Jets because, as it pertains to Vrabel, it is not necessarily do the Jets want him but what can the Jets do to make him want the Jets.”
Hughes also discussed how hiring the new general manager will influence Vrabel’s decision to accept the Jets’ head coaching position.
“The top way [to make the job appealing for Vrabel] is going to be who they pick at general manager,” Hughes added. “It’s not about making Vrabel the head coach and GM; it’s just about ensuring continuity between the coaching staff and upper management. If they [the Jets] can take his considerations, thoughts, and opinion on who the team’s next general manager should be into this search, it might go a long way to getting Vrabel on the Jets sideline.
Vrabel, 49, is one of the most proven head coach candidates available in this year’s hiring cycle. Vrabel spent six seasons (2018-2023) serving as the Tennessee Titans’ head coach, compiling a 54-45 record, including two division titles and three playoff appearances, one of which culminated in a trip to the 2019 AFC Championship game.
Ultimately, Tennessee dismissed Vrabel following back-to-back losing seasons in 2022 and 2023.
The 2021 NFL Coach of the Year spent this season serving as a coaching and personnel consultant with the Cleveland Browns. Vrabel’s contract with Cleveland expired Monday, allowing him to interview for head coaching jobs.
As the Jets continue to search for their future head coach and general manager, Vrabel joins former Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera as the two candidates who have interviewed for the team’s head coach vacancy thus far.
