As the New York Jets’ laundry list of head coach candidates grows exceedingly long (see all of their reported targets at Jets X-Factor’s tracker), all eyes remain fixated on the man who might be New York’s top target, Mike Vrabel.
The Jets were the first team to interview the former Tennessee Titans head coach, doing so last Friday, January 3. The interview reportedly went “very well” according to both sides. However, reports later emerged that Vrabel was only using the Jets to leverage his way into a job with the New England Patriots, his former team as a player.
It may or may not be true that Vrabel was using the Jets. He still might have legitimate interesting in coming to New York. However, what we do know for sure is that the Jets and Patriots are not the only teams competing for Vrabel’s services.
According to Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald, Vrabel will interview with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds that the New Orleans Saints are interested, making it a four-way race as of Tuesday, per Schefter’s report.
Chicago has made prominent news in the coaching cycle recently. On Monday, they requested to interview Mike McCarthy, who is still employed as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Now, they are reported to be in on Vrabel as well.
The Jets have interviewed Vrabel and Ron Rivera for their head coach opening. Rex Ryan will interview today (Tuesday). Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy will interview with the Jets on Wednesday (per Albert Breer), while Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will interview with them on Thursday (per Ian Rapoport).
New York cannot be ruled out of the Vrabel sweepstakes just yet – they were the first team to interview him, after all – but the competition is growing fierce. Of all the candidates on the market, he has had by far the most success as a head coach in the past six seasons, so it is no surprise that teams are prioritizing him. His blend of prior head coach experience and recent success is as good as there is in this year’s cycle.
