Mike Vrabel is the biggest reason Jadeveon Clowney signed with Titans

The Tennessee Titans landed one of the biggest free agents when Jadeveon Clowney signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the team. Clowney was a highly sought after prospect, getting interest from the Browns, Seahawks, and Ravens but the pass rusher said his decision to join the Titans was primarily fueled by coach Mike Vrabel.

"I knew when I was with Vrabel in Houston, I was second-team All-Pro and three Pro Bowls. I said to myself, 'I think I can do that here in this system that worked so well.' Mike Vrabel is one of the smartest coaches I ever had," Clowney said. "He knows football and how to put guys in position to make plays. That's what he did in Houston and when I got here. He is already lining me all over the place, and I get to keep making plays. He believes that I am a playmaker. With Mike Vrabel, I made way more plays [than] I did when I was in Seattle."

Vrabel began his coaching career as a linebackers coach for the Texans in 2014, the same year that the Texans drafted Clowney with the no. 1 pick. In 2017, the Texans named Vrabel their defensive coordinator, a position he held for one season before taking the head coach position in Tennessee. 

Clowney had arguably his best NFL season with Vrabel as his defensive coordinator, racking up 9.5 sacks and 21 quarterback hits in 2017. If the two are able to recreate that magic in Tennessee, the Titans could improve upon last season, when they managed to knock the Patriots and Ravens out of the playoffs.

The Tennessee Titans are scheduled to open their season at home against the Denver Broncos on Monday, September 14 at 10:20 pm EST.