Mike Vrabel on why Tim Kelly won the Titans' OC job
The Tennessee Titans have elevated passing game coordinator Tim Kelly to the role of offensive coordinator, and many Titans fans are asking the same question. Why goes for another in-house promotion with so many qualified candidates on the market? Simply put, Mike Vrabel still believes in the Titans' offense. He still believes in their offensive […]
The Tennessee Titans have elevated passing game coordinator Tim Kelly to the role of offensive coordinator, and many Titans fans are asking the same question.
Why goes for another in-house promotion with so many qualified candidates on the market?
Simply put, Mike Vrabel still believes in the Titans' offense. He still believes in their offensive identity and in a number of their schemes, and he values having an offensive coordinator that is familiar with some of these concepts.
"It's the perfect fit," said Vrabel on hiring Kelly "I met with some really good candidates, but what Tim (Kelly) was ultimately able to do was provide some familiarity and some carry over to what we were doing, because I don't think everything's broke. I don't. I don't believe that."
Vrabel said the Titans have invested a lot of time in one particular system and one identity. He believes that having that identity is crucial, and views Kelly as the coach to maintain the positive aspects of Tennessee's offense while also installing some new concepts. It was clear that Vrabel was not looking to completely change his philosophy in making this hire.
Vrabel would later refer to Kelly's time as the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator from 2019-2021 as a reason why he has confidence in his abilities as a play caller. Kelly has a history of working with a number of different schemes, and the Titans are seeking balance.
"Multiplicity" was one of the main characteristics Vrabel told the media he was looking for in his OC during his last media availability.
So, if you're asking yourself why Vrabel felt compelled to hire another in-house candidate as his offensive coordinator after things didn't work out with Todd Downing, it's because the Titans, at least schematically, won't look drastically different in 2023.
Now the question is how different the players in that scheme will be and how many new ideas Kelly can implement.
Image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
