Titans players react to HC’s unclear future

Rookie quarterback Will Levis was among the Tennessee Titans players who spoke with reporters on Monday about head coach Mike Vrabel’s uncertain future.

“He’s gonna communicate with us as soon as he knows,” Levis said, according to Nick Suss of the Nashville Tennessean. “However, I know he wants to be here…Everyone in this place is wonderful to me. I hope it continues the same, and I hope that we can all grow and stick together. Obviously, I have no influence over any of these matters. But maybe everything holds together and we can keep this thing going.”

Throughout December, it was believed that Titans general manager Ran Carthon, who took the position last offseason, could advocate for a mutual separation with Vrabel this winter. As of early Monday evening, there were more questions than answers on the legitimacy of such takes.

Vrabel had a 54-45 record with the Titans over the previous six regular seasons, but his teams only won two of five playoff games. The 48-year-old, who won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots from 2001 to 2008, has been cited as a possible replacement for Bill Belichick, but it is unclear whether team owner Robert Kraft and president Jonathan Kraft will part ways with the longstanding head coach this offseason.

“I believe in coach Vrabel’s message to us, and sometimes things just don’t happen the way they’re supposed to happen,” Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons explained. “Hopefully, he will be our coach in the future.” I’m not sure what will happen because this is a company. “I can’t hear anything.”

On January 1, NFL insider Michael Lombardi revealed that Vrabel’s contract has two years left on it. While Belichick is under contract through 2024, the Titans are not among the few teams linked to the six-time Super Bowl winner head coach. Carthon might, however, seek remuneration from any team for Vrabel’s services.

“The way he’s been about his business from the time I’ve met him speaks volumes about why people have the opinion about him that they did, which made me want to come here as well just hearing about the type of coach that he was and the type of person that he was,” Azeez Al-Shaair, a linebacker for the “I have the highest regard for him.” Obviously, I don’t make those decisions, but I hope he is the head coach.”

The Krafts could wait several weeks before making a final decision on Belichick, which could effect Vrabel’s plans beyond January. Vrabel is still popular with Tennessee players, but he may consider resurrecting a Patriots club that has missed the playoffs for the third time in four years as the natural next step in his coaching career.