Mike Vrabel. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Chargers finally showed that they were not afraid to spend big on a head coach when they hired Jim Harbaugh, and it sounds like they were prepared to do so even if their top choice turned them down.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on “The Pat McAfee Show” Monday that he believes Mike Vrabel would have been the Chargers’ second choice had they not landed Harbaugh.

“I believe that (Vrabel) would have been the guy in L.A. if Harbaugh didn’t get the job there,” Schefter said. “If Harbaugh had gotten on the plane to go to Atlanta, I think Vrabel would have been the next guy that the Chargers turned to who would have gotten that job.”

Vrabel was expected to be a coveted head coach candidate after he was fired by the Tennessee Titans, but it appears he is going to be shut out of this hiring cycle. 

The 48-year-old has had several interviews but has not gotten a job offer. The Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders still have head coach vacancies, but one of the two probably would have hired Vrabel by now if they wanted him.

In six seasons with the Titans, Vrabel led the team to a 54-45 record and three consecutive postseason appearances. It would be a surprise if he goes without an NFL head coach job for very long.

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