After Mike Vrabel’s shocking firing just over 48 hours ago, since which we have seen the departure of not one but THREE legendary coaches, many were surprised at the move, which Tennessee Titans owner, Amy Adams Strunk, justified by saying:
Nonetheless, considering the haul that, just last year, the New Orleans Saints received as compensation for the services of Super Bowl winning head coach, Sean Payton, it is safe to say that the Titans likely sacrificed a first round pick in this upcoming draft in their desire to act with haste. Especially considering it has been revealed that, despite rumors of Mike Vrabel’s departure in the offseason, he never put in an actual trade request with the organization
Now, after a deep dive from The Athletic, it seems as if more light has been shed on this hasty moving on from a man who is still considered by many (including me) to be a bona fide top 10 coach in the National Football League.
Why Did The Tennessee Titans Actually Fire Mike Vrabel?
It seems like the ending of Mike Vrabel’s contract had less to do with his on-field results, which, in all fairness, have been sub-par these past two years, and more to do with his tenuous relationship with Amy Adams Strunk.
Whilst it seems like the Tennessee Titans’ overtime loss to the Houston Texans – sans CJ Stroud – was the straw that broke the camel’s back, the true foundations for Vrabel’s dismissal run far deeper.
The Tennessee Titans controlling owner seemed to have an issue with a multitude of actions taken by Mike Vrabel over the past twelve months, starting with Vrabel’s lack of faith in new general manager, Ran Carthon’s readiness to be an NFL GM, and a desire to have more control over personnel decision making.
Strunk also felt slighted by Vrabel’s comments made in October, where he stated:
Seemingly taken as a dig at the Titans’ organizational practices, the Hollywood actress’ partial namesake did not take lightly to these comments, and they sat with her for a long time.
And despite all this continued tension between ownership and management, Amy Adams Strunk did genuinely want to keep Vrabel as late as November – but, the culmination of all these other ego-knocking bruises and the former head coach’s battle with Strunk and Carthon over the implementation of a new analytics team, all but left the writing to be on the wall.
The good news is that this is seemingly a win for all. The Titans have a declining roster with big holes at receiver (past a semi-resurgent DeAndre Hopkins), a woeful pass defence and big question marks over their future at the quarterback position, as it remains to be seen as to whether Will Levis will be able to make the next step in his progression as a passer and player. So, in some ways, this is the ideal time for Vrabel to catch a fresh start, with the remainder of his contract paid out, and choose a new team – as he will certainly have many suitors – that he feels is the best match for him.
As for Titans, they now have the opportunity to start again with a new coach, a quarterback on a rookie deal and a GM who is able to bring in his guy at head coach. It remains to be seen who will look back in 5 years time as the victor in this divorce, but suffice to say, after Strunk completed her termination meeting with Vrabel in just two minutes, there will be no love lost between the two sides.
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