Report: Mike Vrabel Not Denying Patriots HC Rumors Didn't Sit Well with Titans Owner

Tennessee Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk allegedly fired head coach Mike Vrabel in part because he reportedly didn't shut down rumors that he would leave for the New England Patriots' head coaching gig should that position open up.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provided that report on two different occasions Wednesday, once on Good Morning Football and again on The Insiders.

"This was a decision made by Amy Adams Strunk, one that she has been mulling for the last several weeks," Rapoport said on Good Morning Football (h/t Matt Geagan of CBS News Boston).

"I would say maybe the last several months ever since Mike Vrabel went to New England, took part in the Hall of Fame day and all of the rumors started floating about whether or not Mike Vrabel would be the Patriots' coach next year, whether he'd be the Titans' coach. He never really addressed that internally. I know that didn't sit great with the people there."

He then added the following on The Insiders.

"This was Amy Adams Strunk making the decision based on a lot of things, including what happened when he went to New England for the Hall of Fame thing, including not dispelling rumors in-house that he was going to be the Patriots' coach...There was a lot there, and she clearly made the decision that she wanted to move on in the best interest of the organization. And now it is going to be (general manager) Ran Carthon leading the search for a new leader.

Vrabel starred as a linebacker with the New England Patriots from 2001-2008, winning three Super Bowls. He was inducted into the Patriots' Hall of Fame in October.

Vrabel played under head coach Bill Belichick, an eight-time Super Bowl champion who has won six Lombardi Trophies as New England's leader. He's been in town for 24 years, but his time could be coming to an end after struggles since the end of the Tom Brady era. Three of the last four seasons have ended with losing records capped by a 4-13 mark in 2023.

So there have been many rumors and speculative reports on Belichick's future as the Pats endured a rough season. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the following on Jan. 6.

"New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft are expected to meet soon to discuss their futures. Although many around the league expect that a change will come in New England, the sides apparently have not yet talked about a split at any point this season, sources told ESPN."

Vrabel heading to the Pats makes too much sense if Belichick does depart given his close ties to the organization.

We'll soon see what transpires. For now, the Pats and Titans are among seven teams looking for a new head coach alongside the Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks.