Mike Vrabel is quickly becoming the hottest coaching commodity in the NFL

When the Patriots kicked off firing season by axing Jerod Mayo the assumption was that room was being made for Mike Vrabel. The former franchise legend’s name was already circulating in coaching rumors, and it felt like New England wanted to get a jump on the process. Now, just a few days later, Vrabel is quickly becoming one of the hottest coaching candidates of the 2025 cycle — and it’s now unclear where he’ll land.

Three teams currently have plans to interview the former Titans head coach. On Tuesday, he’s in New York to meet with the Jets about their vacancy. Vrabel then heads to Chicago to discuss the Bears’ opening, before rounding out his week with the New Orleans Saints.

Vrabel certainly has a resume worthy of getting interviews for these jobs, but the reason he’s popping up so much right now comes down to three key factors.

This is firing season, but hiring season won’t begin for another week or two. NFL rules state that coordinators currently in the playoffs can’t interview with other teams — which drastically limits who is available to talk to.

Some of the hottest names in the NFL won’t be available for weeks, potentially until after the Super Bowl. This included Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator Liam Coen, and Todd Monken of the Ravens.

Teams need to establish backup plans if they swing and miss on some of the biggest names of the cycle, and Vrabel can interview right now — where he’s arguably the best available candidate who can interview right now.

Just because he can interview right now isn’t to say he’s a bad candidate. The Titans decision to fire Vrabel remains one of the most nonsensical coaching firings of the last decade.

In six seasons as head coach in Tennessee, he led the team to a 54-45 record, taking the team to the playoffs three times. This from an organization that without Vrabel had only made it to the postseason three times in the 10 years prior. He didn’t have a franchise QB, and still got results.

Without Vrabel the Titans went 3-14 and now have the first pick in the draft.

A defensive-focused coach, with the right offensive coordinator Vrabel could quickly turn a franchise around.

If the assumption is Vrabel already had the Patriots’ job in hand, then it still behooves him to take interviews around the NFL. Despite the history between the coach and the Pats, it’s on him and his agent to maximize his salary — and that requires being coveted.

The other element is that he could be the favorite for the Pats job, but is it the best position for him? There are many solid elements to the roster in New England, but there’s a lot of work to be done on both offense and defense to turn this team into a winner. It could require a slow burn, considered build, and after going through that in Tennessee it wouldn’t be wild to assume Vrabel might want something easier.