NFL Rumors: Mike Vrabel's 'Physical Build' a Factor in Not Landing HC Job, Exec Says

There may have been something of an unusual variable at play this offseason when no NFL team decided to hire Mike Vrabel as a head coach after he was fired by the Tennessee Titans.

"I had a GM at the Senior Bowl who mentioned to me Vrabel's physical build," insider Dianna Russini said during an appearance on The Athletic Football Show (24:39 mark). "That he's a very large human being. And can be very intimidating to people in an organization that are going to be part of these decisions. And that is a factor."

Russini also said she laughed at the notion, but the general manager followed up by saying, "I'm just telling you, I've been in rooms. And somebody's physical presence can make a difference."

Vrabel may be bigger than most coaches, but most coaches also aren't three-time Super Bowl-winning linebackers who were a key part of some of the best teams from the New England Patriots' dynasty.

It requires a certain amount of size to excel as a linebacker in the NFL, but Vrabel has also found plenty of success as a coach.

He was 54-45 with three playoff appearances in six seasons with the Titans. He reached the AFC Championship Game during the 2019 campaign and then followed up with an 11-5 record in 2020 and a 12-5 record in 2021.

Although the Titans went a combined 13-21 the past two seasons, it was still surprising when he wasn't hired as a head coach given that track record and his resume that dates back to being a player in the NFL.

Potential size concerns or not, the 48-year-old figures to again be a prominent name during the coaching cycle after the 2024 season. Teams will surely struggle and decide to move on from their current coaches and could look to high-profile hires in Vrabel or Bill Belichick when attempting to find a leader to turn things around in 2025 and beyond.

Maybe those teams will even need a coach with enough size to intimidate the opponents.