The Mike Vrabel timeline and what Titans players said about their head coach
NASHVILLE — For the first time in his tenure as Tennessee Titans head coach, Mike Vrabel did not speak to the media on Monday's locker room clean out day. While the players on the team fielded questions about the 2023 season, their futures, and the uncertainty surrounding the coaching staff, Vrabel was not made available. […]
NASHVILLE — For the first time in his tenure as Tennessee Titans head coach, Mike Vrabel did not speak to the media on Monday's locker room clean out day.
While the players on the team fielded questions about the 2023 season, their futures, and the uncertainty surrounding the coaching staff, Vrabel was not made available. Instead, Vrabel is expected to meet with media later in the week.
Here's a rundown of the expected Mike Vrabel timeline and what Titans players are saying about their head coach.
Mike Vrabel's timeline
Not meeting with the media on clean out day is unusual. It hasn't happened since Mike Vrabel took over as the head coach in Nashville. It didn't happen in the years prior either. So why the delay in speaking with the media?
Simply put, there's nothing for Vrabel to discuss right now. His status with the team is still up in the air. Until there is a decision made about Vrabel as the Titans' head coach, him addressing the future of the team or his personal future would be unavailing.
Will Levis said on Monday that Vrabel told the team he would communicate with the "when he knows." The Titans did, however, inform media on Monday that Vrabel would be at the podium later this week. It would make sense if Titans ownership had made a decision before that takes place, but you never know.
Of course, if Vrabel is no longer the coach in Tennessee, that press conference could always be conducted by GM Ran Carthon. The next few days will very telling and intriguing.
What Titans players said
The overwhelming sense in the locker room from Titans players on Monday afternoon was that Mike Vrabel should return as the head coach. QB Will Levis, DT Jeffery Simmons, and OLB Harold Landry III were among those banging the drum for Vrabel to return.
"I can't imagine (Mike Vrabel) not being here," said Landry when asked about the uncertainty surrounding his head coach. "Guys are still playing hard for him. I feel as prepared as I could possibly be for every single game."
Every single person I spoke to in the locker room advocated for Vrabel to stay. I know what you're thinking. "What else are they supposed to say?" But it's not always a given that players will go to bat for their coaching staff. At the end of the season, you tend to get more honest responses from players than you would during the year.
"I love everyone in this building. I hope it stays the same," quarterback Will Levis told the media when asked about Vrabel's situation. "Hopefully it stays together and we're able to keep things rolling. He's going to communicate with us as soon as he knows. I know he wants to be here."
Jeffery Simmons also said he was hoping Vrabel would be the coach moving forward, citing a belief in the message Vrabel has preached to players for years. Simmons noted that things have not gone well this year, but said that things are not always on the coaches.
Vrabel has always been a players coach. It's not surprise that his players have his back and would like to see him return next season. Perhaps that's as good of a reason as any for the Titans to retain him.
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