One day after Black Monday, Mike Vrabel was released by the Tennessee Titans after six seasons, including a trip to the AFC Championship Game.
Vrabel had two more playoff appearances with the Titans and was Coach of the Year in 2021. In Nashville, he posted a 54-45 overall record, including a disappointing 6-11 record last season. While there was speculation that Vrabel could be traded, The Athletic reported it Tennessee was worried that a trade would drag on too long.
His firing comes after the Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Arthur Smith, who finished 7-10 for the third straight season, with an overall record of 21-30 as the Falcons' head coach and no playoff appearances.
Smith was followed in the coaching firing cycle by Ron Rivera of the Washington Commanders.
Under Rivera, the Commanders won the NFC East with a 7-9 record in 2020. They never improved after that, going 7-10 in 2021, 8-8-1 in 2022 and even worse at 4-13 in 2023.
Who else will join Vrabel, Smith and Rivera in the search for a new job? Three other head coaches had been fired previously this season: Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders, Frank Reich of the Carolina Panthers and Brandon Staley of the Los Angeles Chargers. Additionally, two general managers, Dave Ziegler of the Raiders and Tom Telesco of the Chargers, were also fired.
Stay up to date on all the changes to some of the NFL's top jobs here at Yahoo Sports.
Live42 updates
- Wed, Jan 10, 2024 at 00:55 GMT
- Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 10:45 p.m. GMT
#Titans GM Ran Carthon says he and coach Mike Vrabel “never had any problems. We were in step. I would like to finally clear this up. I wish Vrabes nothing but the best. I consider him a friend.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2024
- Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 6:52 p.m. GMT
Cowboys vice president Will McClay is asking two teams, the Commanders and Chargers, for permission to talk to him about opening their front offices, according to multiple people @dmn_cowboys
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) January 9, 2024
- Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 6:42 p.m. GMT
Source: Former #Charger GM Tom Telesco, who oversaw one of the most talented rosters for about a decade, will interview for the position #Raiders GM job.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2024
- Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 6:11 p.m. GMT
“As the NFL continues to innovate and evolve, I believe the teams best positioned for sustained success will be those that foster a aligned and collaborative team across all football functions.”
Titans team owner Amy Adams Strunk's full statement on the decision to fire Mike Vrabel: pic.twitter.com/92sxTHrGKP
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) January 9, 2024
- Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 6:05 p.m. GMT
The Titans believed the Vrabel trade would be too complicated and take too long, according to sources. They wanted to move on quickly. I was told that Vrabel never asked about ownership of a trade or moving out of Tennessee.
– Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 9, 2024
Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 6:03 p.m. GMTMike Vrabel of the Titans was fired after six seasons
Mike Vrabel was lauded as one of the best coaches in the NFL a few years ago. But in the NFL, everything is temporary.
Surprisingly, the Tennessee Titans responded by firing Vrabel for the second straight season. The Titans started 2-4 before their bye and then didn't play a big role in the playoff race. It was the rare season under Vrabel in which the Titans played no role.
- Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 02:10 GMT
The Jaguars have fired DC Mike Caldwell after their season-ending collapse cost them a playoff spot. Details here.
- Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 1:00 a.m. GMT
The Panthers also announced interview requests with eight candidates for their opening general manager position:
– Giants assistant GM Brandon Brown
– Buccaneers assistant GM Mike Greenberg
– Brandt Tilis, Chiefs Vice President of Football Operations
– Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby
– Saints assistant GM Khai Harley
– Nick Matteo, Ravens vice president of football administration
– Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds
– Raiders interim GM Champ Kelly - Tuesday 9 January 2024 00:47 GMT
Dennis Allen is reportedly safe in New Orleans, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
- Tuesday 9 January 2024 00:46 GMT
The Panthers announce that they have requested interviews with nine candidates for their head coaching job:
– Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson
– Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik
– Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan
– Dan Quinn, Cowboys defensive coordinator
– Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald
– Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith
– Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris
– Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken
– Dave Canales, Buccaneers offensive coordinator - Tuesday 9 January 2024 00:14 GMT
Here's what Bob Myers tells commanders as they clean up
- Tuesday 9 January 2024 00:13 GMT
Other Panthers HC and GM candidates emerge:
The #Panthers asked for an interview with #Texans OC Bobby Slowik for his job as head coach, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 9, 2024
#Bucs OC Dave Canales, one of the more interesting candidates, was asked by the #Panthers for their HC opening, the source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2024
#Saints Vice President of Football Administration Khai Harley was appointed by the #Panthers also for her GM job, the source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2024
- Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:57 p.m. GMT
Sources: The #Jaguars have fired defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and his staff.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2024
- Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:41 p.m. GMT
- Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:22 p.m. GMT
The #Charger ask for an interview #49ers Sources tell me that defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has been tapped for his vacant head coaching position @criminal record. Wilks' Niners defense was third in points allowed and eighth in yards allowed this season after going 6-6 #Panthers Interim HC.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 8, 2024
- Monday, January 8, 2024 at 9:55 p.m. GMT
The #Panthers asked for an interview with #Boss Brandt Tilis, VP of football operations, for his GM job, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 8, 2024
- Monday, January 8, 2024 at 8:56 p.m. GMT
Jim Harbaugh and the NFL: If not now, then when?
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh remains a hot name in the NFL. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
As we get closer to kickoff of the national championship game between Washington and Michigan, the talk about Jim Harbaugh's coaching future is getting louder. Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports addressed this on Sunday evening, writing:
Jim Harbaugh could even benefit from a new NFL rule that prohibits currently employed assistant coaches from speaking to teams until after the divisional round of the playoffs on Jan. 21. He can talk to anyone he wants, whenever he wants.
While several sources close to Harbaugh believe he does, there is a prevailing unpredictability in a man who has never acted conventionally.
“In the end it’s Jim, who knows,” said a confidant.
- Monday, January 8, 2024 at 8:38 p.m. GMT
- Monday, January 8, 2024 at 7:36 p.m. GMT
Dodds has ties to Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh – they worked together for him #Raider in 2003 — which could be relevant depending on how the head coaching search goes. https://t.co/X66hZQJBDL
– Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) January 8, 2024
Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 6:03 p.m. GMT
Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 02:10 GMT