Here’s a bold statement: The Tennessee Titans’ decision to part ways with head coach Mike Vrabel has turned into a nightmare. But here’s where it gets controversial—while the team has plummeted to a staggering 1-11 record this season, one Tennessee radio personality, Jared Stillman, is pointing fingers at Vrabel’s supposed shortcomings rather than the organization’s post-firing struggles. Let’s break it down.
After firing Vrabel, the Titans went 3-14, securing the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Fast forward to this season, and they’re on track for another top selection—hardly the turnaround fans were hoping for. Stillman, however, has a different take. He argues that Vrabel’s success in New England isn’t a testament to his coaching prowess but rather to owner Robert Kraft’s intervention in hiring decisions. And this is the part most people miss—Stillman claims Vrabel’s ‘biggest issue’ as Tennessee’s head coach was his inability to build a competent coaching staff, a problem Kraft allegedly solved by taking control of offensive hires.
‘Mike Vrabel’s success in New England isn’t about him—it’s about Robert Kraft stepping in and hiring the right people,’ Stillman asserted. He went on to explain that Vrabel couldn’t bring in his preferred coordinators in Tennessee, like Shane Bowen or Todd Downing, because Kraft insisted on Josh McDaniels for the offense. This, Stillman argues, is why the Patriots are thriving at 11-2 while the Titans are floundering.
But Stillman didn’t stop there. He’s been vocal all season, labeling Vrabel an ‘overrated coach’ and even predicting a Titans upset in their matchup against the Patriots—a game they lost by 18 points. He’s also quick to downplay Vrabel’s role in New England’s success, attributing it instead to a weak schedule, Drake Maye’s talent, and Kraft’s free agency spending. ‘It’s not Vrabel—it’s everything around him,’ Stillman insisted.
Here’s the controversial question: Is Stillman right to shift the blame entirely onto Vrabel’s coaching staff struggles in Tennessee, or is he overlooking the broader organizational issues plaguing the Titans? And does Vrabel deserve more credit for his role in New England’s success, or is he simply benefiting from a better support system? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
