Ready, Willing, And Vrabel?: Titans Need Big 2023 To Keep Coach -

Mike Vrabel enjoys a fairly long tenure in Tennessee. With a new regime in charge, how much longer will he be in Nashville?

In 2023, the NFL doesn’t cherish sustained mediocrity. As a result, the days of .500 coaches lasting forever faded away. Now, not only must coaches win, they must show marked improvement. For Mike Vrabel, his days with the Tennessee Titans do not feel guaranteed past this season. In fact, 2023 could signal the end of his slightly successful run in Nashville. With so many moving parts, no one knows what to expect.

Winning, But Not Enough

If you look at Mike Vrabel’s won-loss record on its face, you probably shake/scratch your head. At 48-34, most teams would mortgage the farm. Yet, the cavernous hole in that exceptional record is a lack of postseason success. With just two postseason wins in five chances, the Titans embody winter frustrations. Granted, that may not fall solely upon Vrabel, but he is the head coach. Neither the general manager or players will fire themselves. Under those circumstances all of the head falls squarely on Vrabel.

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New GM, Who Dis?

As mentioned, the Titans employ a new general manager. Ran Carthon calls the shot upstairs. Now, if you’ve followed NFL football for more than thirty seconds, you know how this breaks down. First, Carthon didn’t hire Vrabel. Hence, no loyalty exists there. Carthon’s job is in no way, shape or form, tied to the existing head coach. Next, most general managers want their own people. From the scouting department ion down, that includes the head coach. Carthon wants to make a splash in his first stint as a general manager. Any struggles or continued playoff failures, he will not hesitate to issue mass pink slips. Either way, Carthon wants his full imprint on the Tennessee Titans.

All Players Tire

Part and parcel of the issue with Vrabel is his steadfast devotion to the running game. Yes, in a perfect NFL world, teams will display a balance between passing and running. Moreover, that balance protects players’ longevity, not just on the field, but in life. No running back, probably since the days of Earl Campbell held up the offense on his shoulders more. Henry enters his age-29 season, with 1,123 touches during the last four seasons. To put that in singular terms, twenty-one of those games in the last four seasons amounted to twenty-five or more carries. Now, Henry fans will point to his carry number in college and high school as a defense. Defenses know what’s coming. They don’t respect the pass game, so they will load the box and dare Tennessee to pass. Vrabel’s conservative approach ultimately will cost the Titans, if he does not mend his ways.

Outlook

Make no mistake, the Tennessee Titans and Mike Vrabel are in a dogfight to make the playoffs in 2023. They lack a viable receiving option, will field and aging, inconsistent quarterback, in a division that remade itself. How will they navigate the waters of uncertainty? With an offense that remains bland and one-dimensional, Tennessee will rely on its defense to pull them through games. Yet, in their passing situations, can they truly trust Mike Vrabel’s offense?