Mike Vrabel

From a rare defensive player scoring offensive touchdowns in consecutive Super Bowls to an acclaimed coach, Mike Vrabel's football journey has always been marked by versatility and leadership. Now, his story comes full circle as he returns to the New England Patriots—the team where he forged his legendary playing career—to take the helm as head coach. This is the tale of a gridiron warrior who always found a way to win, both on the field and from the sidelines. Mike Vrabel was a uniquely versatile player, making history by scoring offensive touchdowns in back-to-back Super Bowls as a defensive specialist. His transition to coaching saw him lead the Tennessee Titans to significant success, earning him the prestigious AP Coach of the Year award. Vrabel's career journey culminated in a highly anticipated return to the New England Patriots, this time as their head coach, completing a remarkable full circle.

Source: Wikipedia

AI Summary

Mike Vrabel was a uniquely versatile player, making history by scoring offensive touchdowns in back-to-back Super Bowls as a defensive specialist.
His transition to coaching saw him lead the Tennessee Titans to significant success, earning him the prestigious AP Coach of the Year award.
Vrabel's career journey culminated in a highly anticipated return to the New England Patriots, this time as their head coach, completing a remarkable full circle.

The Unconventional Gridiron Legend

Michael George Vrabel, widely known as Mike Vrabel, is a name synonymous with versatility and grit in American football. He's carved out an impressive career both as a player and a coach, always leaving an indelible mark on the teams he's been a part of. His journey from an Ohio State All-American to a three-time Super Bowl champion is just the beginning of his extraordinary story.

A Player of Rare Versatility

What truly set Vrabel apart as a player was his incredible versatility—he wasn't just a dominant linebacker. In a rare display of athletic prowess, he scored receiving touchdowns in consecutive Super Bowls, XXXVIII and XXXIX, making him the only primarily defensive player to achieve such a feat. It's a testament to his unique skill set and willingness to contribute wherever needed.

Roots in Ohio

Born on August 14, 1975, in Akron, Ohio, Vrabel's football journey began early. He honed his skills at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, where he was already a standout on the gridiron. Ohio would prove to be a foundational place for his developing talents.

Dominance at Ohio State

Vrabel continued his stellar play at Ohio State University, where he accepted an athletic scholarship to play defensive end from 1993 to 1996. He quickly became a force to be reckoned with, consistently racking up sacks and tackles for loss. His senior year saw him earn consensus first-team All-American honors.

His collegiate dominance was further cemented by being named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in both 1995 and 1996—a rare achievement only matched by one other player. With a career total of 36 sacks and 66 tackles for a loss, Vrabel etched his name into Ohio State history, later earning a spot on the Ohio State Football All-Century Team and induction into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame.

Raw Athleticism Measured

Before entering the NFL, Vrabel showcased his athletic capabilities at the NFL Combine. These measurements provided a glimpse into the raw power and agility he would bring to the professional ranks.

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄8 in (1.93 m)	270 lb (122 kg)	34+1⁄4 in (0.87 m)	9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m)	4.93 s	23 reps

NFL Playing Career - A Slow Burn

Vrabel began his professional journey after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1997 NFL draft. He spent his first four seasons in Pittsburgh, primarily as a reserve player, learning the ropes of the demanding NFL.

Making His Mark with the Steelers

Even as a reserve, Vrabel showed flashes of his playmaking ability. His most memorable moment as a Steeler came in his rookie season, during the 1997-98 AFC Divisional Playoffs. He executed a crucial strip-sack against Drew Bledsoe, sealing a narrow 7-6 victory for Pittsburgh and sending them to the AFC Championship Game.

The Patriots Dynasty Years

In 2001, Vrabel joined the New England Patriots as a free agent—a move that would fundamentally alter his career and the fortunes of the franchise. Under coach Bill Belichick, he quickly carved out a significant role, starting in 12 games in his first season and becoming a cornerstone of their defense. This marked the beginning of his most celebrated tenure in the NFL.

Super Bowl Heroics

Vrabel's unique versatility truly shone in New England. Coach Belichick famously utilized him as an eligible receiver in short-yardage situations. This bold strategy paid off spectacularly in Super Bowl XXXVIII, when Tom Brady threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Vrabel, marking the first time a primarily defensive player had scored an offensive Super Bowl touchdown since William 'Refrigerator' Perry in 1986. Not content with just offense, Vrabel also recorded two sacks and forced a fumble on defense in that same game.

The following year, in Super Bowl XXXIX, Vrabel repeated his incredible feat, catching a two-yard touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles. This made him one of only 17 players in NFL history to catch two or more touchdown passes in Super Bowls—a truly remarkable achievement for someone primarily known for his defensive prowess.

Unmatched Efficiency

Vrabel's offensive contributions were not limited to the Super Bowl stage. Throughout his career, he converted an astonishing 10 of his just 14 career receptions into touchdowns, a ratio unmatched by any other player in NFL history. He even added a defensive touchdown in 2005, intercepting a pass and returning it 24 yards. His incredible versatility earned him a spot on NFL Network's Top 10 Most Versatile Players list.

A Dominant All-Around Performance

The 2007 season was a highlight for Vrabel, particularly Week 8 against the Washington Redskins. In a single game, he forced three fumbles, recorded three sacks, recovered an onside kick, and scored an offensive touchdown—an unbelievable stat line that earned him the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award. His stellar play that year culminated in selections to the Pro Bowl and the NFL All-Pro team.

Another unique record Vrabel holds is being the first player since 1982—when sacks became an official statistic—to record two touchdown catches and a sack in the same game. This historic performance took place on December 26, 2005, during the final Monday Night Football game on ABC, solidifying his place in NFL lore.

Adapting for Team Success

Vrabel's commitment to team success extended to adapting his primary position. While he began as a right outside linebacker in the Patriots' 3-4 scheme, he moved to inside linebacker in 2005 and again in 2006 to cover for injuries and boost defensive performance. This willingness to shift roles was a major factor in the Patriots' continued dominance and mid-season rebounds.

A Final Chapter and Retirement

After eight illustrious seasons with the Patriots, Vrabel was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009 alongside quarterback Matt Cassel. He played two seasons in Kansas City before officially retiring from playing professional football on July 10, 2011, closing the chapter on a remarkable 14-year NFL career.

A Legacy in Numbers

Vrabel's NFL career statistics highlight his consistency and impact on both sides of the ball. Over 206 regular season games, including 140 starts, he amassed an impressive 57 sacks, 11 interceptions, and 19 forced fumbles. His ability to contribute across multiple facets of the game made him an invaluable asset to every team he played for. In the postseason, he added 9 sacks and 3 forced fumbles over 20 games.

Stat	Regular Season Total	Postseason Total
Games Played	206	20
Games Started	140	18
Combined Tackles	740	88
Sacks	57.0	9.0
Interceptions	11	0
Forced Fumbles	19	3

Transition to Coaching

Just days after retiring as a player, Mike Vrabel wasted no time transitioning to the sidelines. He returned to his alma mater, Ohio State, to begin his coaching career, initially serving as the linebackers coach.

Collegiate Coaching

Under new Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, Vrabel remained on staff, shifting to defensive line coach. He spent three seasons refining his coaching philosophy and developing young talent, laying the groundwork for his future success in the professional coaching ranks.

Rise through the NFL Ranks

Vrabel made the leap to the NFL coaching in 2014, joining the Houston Texans as linebackers coach. His impact was immediate, with the Texans defense consistently ranking among the league's best in yards allowed. He was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2017, overseeing a unit that featured stars like J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Whitney Mercilus.

Leading the Tennessee Titans

His success in Houston quickly caught the attention of other franchises, and on January 20, 2018, Mike Vrabel was hired as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans. This marked a significant milestone in his career, stepping into one of the most demanding leadership roles in professional sports.

Early Head Coaching Success

Vrabel's inaugural season with the Titans was marked by several impressive victories, including an upset over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and a decisive win against his former coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Under his guidance, the Titans' defense saw a significant improvement, climbing to the eighth-ranked defense in the league, and the team finished with a respectable 9-7 record.

The 2019 season saw the Titans make a deep playoff run. After a mid-season quarterback change from Marcus Mariota to Ryan Tannehill ignited the offense, the 9-7 Titans entered the playoffs as a sixth seed. They stunned the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots in the Wild Card Round and then upset the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round, reaching their first AFC Championship Game in 17 years before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Vrabel continued to build a winning culture in Tennessee. In the 2020 season, he led the Titans to an 11-5 record, securing the AFC South division title for the first time since 2008. Despite another strong regular season, their playoff journey ended in the Wild Card Round against the Baltimore Ravens.

The pinnacle of his coaching career with the Titans came in the 2021 season, where Vrabel guided the team to an impressive 12-5 record and the #1 overall seed in the AFC. For his exceptional leadership and the team's performance, he was deservedly named the AP Coach of the Year, a testament to his impact on the franchise.

However, the following seasons brought challenges. After a promising 7-3 start in 2022, the Titans endured a seven-game losing streak, missing the playoffs with a 7-10 record. The 2023 season concluded with a 6-11 record, leading to Vrabel's dismissal from the team.

A Brief Stint as Consultant

After his departure from the Titans, Vrabel spent a brief period in 2024 as a coaching and personnel consultant for the Cleveland Browns. This interim role allowed him to continue contributing his extensive football knowledge while awaiting his next major opportunity.

Return to Foxborough - A Full Circle Moment

The story of Mike Vrabel's football journey came full circle on January 12, 2025. The New England Patriots, the franchise where he achieved his greatest playing successes, announced his hiring as their new head coach. This highly anticipated return marks a new chapter for both Vrabel and the Patriots, as he aims to bring his championship pedigree to the sidelines of his former team.

Head Coaching Legacy

Before returning to New England, Vrabel built a solid head coaching record with the Tennessee Titans, demonstrating his ability to lead and develop a competitive team. His tenure included two division titles and multiple playoff appearances.

Team	Year	Regular Season Won	Regular Season Lost	Regular Season Win %	Postseason Won	Postseason Lost
TEN	2018	9	7	.563	—	—
TEN	2019	9	7	.563	2	1
TEN	2020	11	5	.688	0	1
TEN	2021	12	5	.706	0	1
TEN	2022	7	10	.412	—	—
TEN	2023	6	11	.353	—	—
TEN Total		54	45	.545	2	3

Beyond the Field

Off the field, Mike Vrabel is a dedicated family man. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons, Tyler and Carter, both of whom have pursued athletic careers themselves. Tyler played offensive line for Boston College and had a stint with the Atlanta Falcons, while Carter played college baseball. Vrabel also co-founded 'Mike's Second and Seven Foundation' with former Ohio State teammates, dedicated to promoting literacy among children in central Ohio.

Article

Mike Vrabel

Michael George Vrabel ( VRAY-bəl; born August 14, 1975) is an American professional football coach and former linebacker who is the head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Vrabel previously played in the NFL for 14 seasons, most notably with the Patriots. He also served as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023.

Vrabel played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, twice receiving All-American honors. He was selected in the third round of the 1997 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he spent his first four seasons. Vrabel played his next eight seasons with the Patriots, earning Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selections in 2007, along with winning three Super Bowl titles. In his final two seasons, he was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

As the head coach of the Titans, Vrabel led the team to three consecutive playoff appearances, two consecutive division titles, and an AFC Championship Game appearance in 2019, the franchise's first since 2002. He was also named NFL Coach of the Year in 2021 after helping the Titans obtain their conference's top seed for the first time since 2008. Vrabel was named head coach of the Patriots in 2025 and led them to an appearance in Super Bowl LX while winning Coach of the Year a second time.

Early life

Mike Vrabel

Vrabel was born on August 14, 1975, in Akron, Ohio. He attended Walsh Jesuit High School in nearby Cuyahoga Falls, where he was a standout on their football team coached by Gerry Rardin.

Vrabel is of Slovak paternal ancestry - his great-grandfather Andrej Vrábel emigrated to the United States from Krivany in present-day Slovakia.

Playing career

College

Vrabel accepted an athletic scholarship to attend The Ohio State University and played defensive end from 1993 to 1996. He compiled 10 sacks as a sophomore, 12 as a junior, and 48 tackles and nine sacks as a senior.

As a senior in 1996, Vrabel was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American. He finished his career at Ohio State by being named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in both 1995 and 1996, becoming the first of two players to ever win the award twice (Wendell Bryant of Wisconsin being the other). Vrabel accumulated 36 sacks and 66 tackles for a loss.

Vrabel was named to the Ohio State Football All-Century Team in 2000, and was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.

National Football League

<table><thead><tr><th>Height</th><th>Weight</th><th>Arm length</th><th>Hand span</th><th>40-yard dash</th><th>10-yard split</th><th>20-yard split</th><th>20-yard shuttle</th><th>Three-cone drill</th><th>Vertical jump</th><th>Broad jump</th><th>Bench press</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>6 ft 4+1⁄8 in (1.93 m)</td><td>270 lb (122 kg)</td><td>34+1⁄4 in (0.87 m)</td><td>9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m)</td><td>4.93 s</td><td>1.70 s</td><td>2.88 s</td><td>4.43 s</td><td>7.77 s</td><td>29.5 in (0.75 m)</td><td>8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)</td><td>23 reps</td></tr><tr><td>All values from NFL Combine</td></tr></tbody></table>

Pittsburgh Steelers

Vrabel was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (91st overall) of the 1997 NFL draft. He spent the first four seasons of his career in Pittsburgh. Vrabel's most notable play as a Steeler came in his rookie season after strip-sacking Drew Bledsoe in the 1997–98 AFC Divisional Playoffs to clinch a 7–6 victory for the Steelers and advance them to the AFC Championship Game. Vrabel had 12 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 1998; nine tackles and two sacks in 1999; and 15 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery in 2000.

New England Patriots

Vrabel in 2008

Vrabel joined the New England Patriots as a free agent in 2001. He played in every game on defense, starting in 12. Vrabel would remain a regular starter on defense during his eight-year tenure in New England.

During his first four seasons with the Patriots, Vrabel's primary position was right outside linebacker in the Patriots' 3–4 scheme. In 2005, because of the limited effectiveness of inside backers Monty Beisel and Chad Brown, Vrabel moved to inside linebacker although he had never before played inside in the NFL. Rosevelt Colvin successfully filled Vrabel's old spot, and many cite the change in positions as a major contributor to the Patriots' rebound in the second half of the season. Vrabel moved inside again late in the 2006 season after Junior Seau suffered a broken arm.

Vrabel's best season with the team was in 2007, when he was selected as a Pro Bowl starter and named to the NFL All-Pro team. In Week 8 of that season, Vrabel forced three fumbles, had three sacks, recovered an onside kick, and scored an offensive touchdown against the Washington Redskins, and was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Vrabel would occasionally come in as an eligible receiver, lining up as a tight end. Head coach Bill Belichick took advantage of this in 2004 in Super Bowl XXXVIII. In the fourth quarter, Tom Brady threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Vrabel, making Vrabel the first defensive player to score a Super Bowl touchdown on offense since William "Refrigerator" Perry did so for the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XX in 1986 (against the Patriots). Vrabel was one of the defensive stars of the game as well, with two sacks and a forced fumble. The next year, in Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005, Vrabel again caught a two-yard touchdown pass despite being held by the Eagles' Jevon Kearse, a feat pictured on the cover of the 2005 NFL Record and Fact Book. The reception made him one of 17 players to catch two or more touchdown passes in Super Bowls.

Across the regular season and playoffs, Vrabel finished with 12 career receptions in just 16 targets, all for touchdowns. He caught one in 2002, two in 2004, three in 2005, and two in 2007 in the regular season, and one each in Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX, all with the Patriots, and one each in 2009 and 2010 with the Chiefs (thrown by former Patriot Matt Cassel). On December 26, 2005, on the final Monday Night Football game on ABC, Vrabel became, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the first player to have two touchdown catches and a sack in the same game since sacks began to be recorded officially in 1982. In addition to his 12 touchdowns on offense, Vrabel recorded his only career defensive touchdown on an interception return in the 2005 season. In 2007, NFL Network ranked him seventh on their Top 10 list of Most Versatile Players.

Kansas City Chiefs

On February 27, 2009, the Patriots traded Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs for what was originally announced as an undisclosed draft pick. The next day, it was revealed that Patriots traded both Vrabel and Matt Cassel in exchange for the Chiefs' second round pick, the 34th overall selection in the 2009 NFL draft. Vrabel played in Kansas City for two seasons as a starter before retiring.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Team</th><th>Games</th><th>Tackles</th><th>Interceptions</th><th>Fumbles</th><th>Receiving</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>GP</td><td>GS</td><td>Cmb</td><td>Solo</td><td>Ast</td><td>Sck</td><td>Int</td><td>Yds</td><td>Avg</td><td>Lng</td><td>TD</td><td>PD</td><td>FF</td><td>FR</td><td>Yds</td><td>TD</td><td>Rec</td><td>Yds</td><td>TD</td></tr><tr><td>1997</td><td>PIT</td><td>15</td><td>0</td><td>17</td><td>14</td><td>3</td><td>1.5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0.0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td><td>PIT</td><td>11</td><td>0</td><td>9</td><td>6</td><td>3</td><td>3.5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0.0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>PIT</td><td>10</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>2.0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0.0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td>PIT</td><td>15</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>1.0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0.0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td>NE</td><td>16</td><td>12</td><td>63</td><td>40</td><td>23</td><td>3.0</td><td>2</td><td>27</td><td>13.5</td><td>15</td><td>0</td><td>9</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td>NE</td><td>16</td><td>13</td><td>82</td><td>58</td><td>24</td><td>4.5</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0.0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td>NE</td><td>13</td><td>9</td><td>52</td><td>37</td><td>15</td><td>9.5</td><td>2</td><td>18</td><td>9.0</td><td>14</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>2004</td><td>NE</td><td>16</td><td>15</td><td>71</td><td>54</td><td>17</td><td>5.5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0.0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td>NE</td><td>16</td><td>16</td><td>108</td><td>73</td><td>35</td><td>4.5</td><td>2</td><td>23</td><td>11.5</td><td>24T</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>4</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>2006</td><td>NE</td><td>16</td><td>16</td><td>89</td><td>54</td><td>35</td><td>4.5</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0.0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td><td>NE</td><td>16</td><td>15</td><td>77</td><td>55</td><td>22</td><td>12.5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0.0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td>NE</td><td>16</td><td>14</td><td>62</td><td>40</td><td>22</td><td>4.0</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>5.0</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td><td>KC</td><td>14</td><td>14</td><td>52</td><td>43</td><td>9</td><td>2.0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0.0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>6</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td>KC</td><td>16</td><td>16</td><td>48</td><td>30</td><td>18</td><td>0.0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0.0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Career</td><td>206</td><td>140</td><td>740</td><td>511</td><td>229</td><td>58.0</td><td>11</td><td>73</td><td>6.7</td><td>24T</td><td>1</td><td>41</td><td>19</td><td>9</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>10</td><td>14</td><td>10</td></tr></tbody></table>

Postseason

Coaching career

Ohio State

Vrabel retired on July 10, 2011, to become the linebackers coach at Ohio State. On December 21, new Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer decided to keep Vrabel on as part of his coaching staff as defensive line coach.

Houston Texans

On January 10, 2014, Vrabel was hired by the Houston Texans as a linebackers coach. During his three seasons as linebackers coach, the Texans ranked third in the NFL in yards allowed per game. In January 2016, news outlets reported that the San Francisco 49ers offered Vrabel their defensive coordinator job, but he declined the offer and stayed in Houston. In January 2017, the Texans named Vrabel as their defensive coordinator after the team moved previous coordinator Romeo Crennel to assistant head coach. Vrabel coached players such as J. J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, Whitney Mercilus, and Benardrick McKinney during his tenure in Houston.

2018 season

Vrabel in 2018

On January 20, 2018, Vrabel was hired as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans on a five-year deal.

During Week 2 against the Houston Texans, Vrabel earned his first career win as a head coach as the Titans won by a score of 20–17. Two weeks later, Vrabel led the Titans to a 26–23 overtime victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. During Week 10, he beat his former longtime coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots in a 34–10 victory.

Under Vrabel, the Titans' defense improved from the 13th-ranked defense in 2017 to the eighth-ranked defense in 2018. However, the team narrowly missed the playoffs by one game and finished the season with a 9–7 record.

2019 season

Vrabel in 2019

The 2019 season saw the Titans again finish 9–7; however, this would be enough to make the playoffs as the #6-seed. During a Week 6 16–0 shutout road loss to the Denver Broncos, Vrabel elected to bench quarterback Marcus Mariota in favor of Ryan Tannehill, a move that led to the Titans winning seven of their final 10 games despite starting 2–4.

During the Wild Card Round, Tennessee upset the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots on the road 20–13, led by running back Derrick Henry's 204 yards from scrimmage. The Titans then pulled off another upset in the Divisional Round against the #1-seed Baltimore Ravens, winning on the road 28–12 behind another breakout performance from Henry with 202 scrimmage yards along with a passing touchdown on a trick play. With the victory, the Titans advanced to their first AFC Championship since (/wiki/2002TennesseeTitansseason), where they were eliminated on the road by the eventual Super Bowl LIV champion Kansas City Chiefs 35–24.

2020 season

Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees retired on January 20, 2020, after spending the last two seasons with the team. Vrabel decided not to hire a defensive coordinator for the season.

After starting the season 5–0, their first since (/wiki/2008TennesseeTitansseason), the Titans finished with an 11–5 record, improving upon their 9–7 record from the previous four years and earning their first double-digit winning season and division title since 2008. However, the Titans lost to the Ravens 20–13 in the Wild Card Round. Following the loss, Vrabel revealed that outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen was the defensive coordinator in all but the title and that Bowen made the defensive play calls.

2021 season

Vrabel in 2021

The Titans dealt with numerous injuries throughout the season, but were able to overcome all of them en route to a 12–5 record, a division title, and the #1-seed in the AFC. The team fielded 91 players during the season (mostly due to injury and COVID-19), breaking the old NFL record of 84 held by the 2019 Miami Dolphins and 2020 San Francisco 49ers.

With the division title, Vrabel helped the Titans clinch the AFC South for the second consecutive season. This would be the first time since (/wiki/1960HoustonOilersseason)–(/wiki/1962HoustonOilersseason) that the franchise would win their division in back-to-back seasons. However, the season ended with a 19–16 upset loss in the Divisional Round to the eventual AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals, their third-straight playoff loss dating back three seasons. For his work that season, Vrabel was named AP Coach of the Year.

2022 season

On February 8, 2022, Vrabel and general manager Jon Robinson were given contract extensions.

The Titans began the season with a 7–3 record, putting them in a prime position to secure a playoff spot. However, the team lost seven straight games and ended up missing the playoffs, finishing with a 7–10 record.

2023 season

After the Titans finished the 2023 season with a 6–11 record, Vrabel was fired on January 9, 2024. He finished his tenure in Tennessee with a 54–45 (.545) regular-season record and a 2–3 (.400) playoff record for a combined record of 56–48 (.538).

Cleveland Browns

After not landing a coordinator or head coaching job in the offseason, Vrabel signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns as a coaching and personnel consultant on March 15, 2024.

2025 season

On January 12, 2025, Vrabel was hired as the head coach of the New England Patriots, replacing Jerod Mayo. In a November postgame interview, Vrabel cited his familiarity with the franchise and quarterback Drake Maye's potential as reasons for returning as coach.

Vrabel led the Patriots to a 14–3 record, giving the team its first playoff berth since 2021, its first AFC East title since 2019, and its best record since 2016. By Week 11, the Patriots were 9–2, surpassing their combined win total for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. They won 10 games in a row, making Vrabel the first (and only) head coach since the AFL–NFL merger to do so in his first season with a team that won no more than five games the previous season.

During the Wild Card Round, the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 16–3, advancing to the Divisional Round. It was their first playoff win since 2018. Vrabel also earned his second trip to the AFC Championship Game as a coach, and his first since a 2019 loss with the Titans, after defeating the Houston Texans 28–16. During the AFC Championship Game, the Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos on the road 10–7, advancing to Super Bowl LX. Vrabel became the eighth head coach to reach the Super Bowl in their first season, and the second person to reach the Super Bowl as a player and as a coach, after only Gary Kubiak. Vrabel was named AP Coach of the Year for his work in 2025. However, Vrabel couldn’t finish off his strong year with a Super Bowl win as the Patriots lost to the Seahawks 29–13.

Head coaching record

Mike Vrabel

<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Year</th><th>Regular season</th><th>Postseason</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Won</td><td>Lost</td><td>Ties</td><td>Win %</td><td>Finish</td><td>Won</td><td>Lost</td><td>Win %</td><td>Result</td></tr><tr><td>TEN</td><td>2018</td><td>9</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>.563</td><td>3rd in AFC South</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>TEN</td><td>2019</td><td>9</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>.563</td><td>2nd in AFC South</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>.667</td><td>Lost to Kansas City Chiefs in AFC Championship Game</td></tr><tr><td>TEN</td><td>2020</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>.688</td><td>1st in AFC South</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>.000</td><td>Lost to Baltimore Ravens in AFC Wild Card Round</td></tr><tr><td>TEN</td><td>2021</td><td>12</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>.706</td><td>1st in AFC South</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>.000</td><td>Lost to Cincinnati Bengals in AFC Divisional Round</td></tr><tr><td>TEN</td><td>2022</td><td>7</td><td>10</td><td>0</td><td>.412</td><td>2nd in AFC South</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>TEN</td><td>2023</td><td>6</td><td>11</td><td>0</td><td>.353</td><td>4th in AFC South</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>TEN total</td><td>54</td><td>45</td><td>0</td><td>.545</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>.400</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>NE</td><td>2025</td><td>14</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>.824</td><td>1st in AFC East</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>.750</td><td>Lost to Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX</td></tr><tr><td>NE total</td><td>14</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>.824</td><td></td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>.750</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>68</td><td>48</td><td>0</td><td>.586</td><td></td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>.556</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Personal life

Mike Vrabel

Vrabel and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons, Tyler and Carter. Tyler started on the offensive line for the Boston College Eagles football team for three years and declared himself for the 2022 NFL draft. Undrafted, Tyler was signed by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2022 preseason. Carter played baseball at Volunteer State Community College for two seasons before transferring to Tennessee Tech for his final year.

Vrabel founded the "Mike's Second and Seven Foundation" with his former Ohio State teammates Ryan Miller and Luke Fickell to promote literacy in the central Ohio area.

In March 2011, Vrabel was arrested and charged with a Class D felony for theft at Belterra Casino Resort & Spa. According to reports from Kansas City television station KMBC and ProFootballTalk.com, the incident involved eight bottles of beer at a deli. Vrabel was released after posting a $600 bond.