Inside the Titans' power struggle of Mike Vrabel vs his billionaire boss

Unfortunately for the former Titans coach, it was a losing wager.

The hiring of Ran Carthon & Titans' roster control

When Carthon was hired, his reputation as a relationship-builder was given top billing. 

"I know there's been a lot of speculation over the last two, three months, or whatever it's been, about the nature of Mike (Vrabel) and I's relationship," said Carthon on Tuesday after Vrabel's firing. "And I will say that Mike and I, we've never had any issue, whether it's personal or professional. 

"We worked well together, had had a good relationship. We were in lockstep. So I want to finally come out and dispel that. I wish Vrabes nothing but the best. I consider him a friend, and I feel like we'll be that way moving forward."

Multiple team sources confirm that there was never animosity between Carthon and Vrabel during the year that they spent working together. In the collaborative structure that Strunk had set up for the two men and their respective staffs, Carthon could provide a buffer between Vrabel and final roster say as the two worked out the kinks of their organizational construct. 

Vrabel's preferred general manager, former Tennessee interim GM Ryan Cowden, was on a short list of candidates that included Carthon and Chicago Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham.

Why wouldn't that be the former coach's preference when Cowden ran the 2023 draft board that has so successfully paid dividends this year in Tennessee, including quarterback Will Levis. As Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com clarified on Twitter, "running the draft board is not him picking the players but working the stacks in each round or by draft grade. Also organizing scout grades, medical grades, coaches grades, and off-the-field designations on the player that may move the player off his original grade and put a value based on risk/reward. Very crucial job."

It is believed that Strunk's concern with giving Cowden the gig on a full-time basis was that it would be essentially turning personnel control over to Vrabel. So, Carthon and Vrabel worked their way through the 2023 season. Vrabel is a domineering figure, and that played itself out in personnel decisions throughout the course of the year. 

If the first-year GM could be accused of any missteps in this, it would be taking too placative of an approach with Vrabel in an attempt to keep the relationship between the two men on solid ground. 

"(Carthon is) a master politician," said one league source. "Just everyone's best friend."

There is a difference between politicking and diplomacy. 

It is unclear with Carthon taking such a hands-off role in Year 1 which tact the Titans GM took more of in his managerial style with Vrabel. Carthon has worked dillegently to build out his front office structure over the course of the last 12 months and, rightly or wrongly, has kept himself out of the spotlight in the process. 

Strunk's vision of Carthon and Vrabel's coexistence failed. Vrabel overplayed his hand, and now the two remaining heads of state must find better ways to articulate their vision of the future. 

"No, I was not in the room when the news was delivered," Carthon said of Vrabel's firing. "These things are ultimately Miss Amy's decisions. I think organizationally structured, we both report to her. I know they've always had their one-on-one conversations, as I have, with her throughout the year and just throughout my time being here. So no, I wasn't present. But that's just the way it is."

Carthon's first draft in Tennessee included Levis, running back Tyjae Spears and starting left guard Peter Skoronski. 

All are viewed as foundational pieces for the Titans as they look to regain roster competency after years of mismanagement. The GM should have never been asked to face questions from reporters alone in the wake of Vrabel's firing. It was a disservice to the man who has made a conscious effort to keep his head down and go about the job he was hired to do.

Mike Vrabel's next step in his NFL career

Where Vrabel lands next is as fascinating as how Tennessee will fill his position moving forward.

Multiple sources close to Vrabel have said not to rule out the idea of the coach taking some time off as opposed to jumping right into his next job. The last two year's have been taxing on everyone in the Titans organization, including the ousted Vrabel. 

Vrabel is not the football war hero he is being painted as nationally. He is a good coach who did good things for a franchise that was middling upon his arrival. Vrabel never achieved the kind of greatness he set out to and cannot be faulted for desiring more control over his situation. Who among us would not like a firmer grasp on the future of our careers?

Underestimating Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk

Vrabel's biggest failure in all of this was underestimating the controlling owner he was there to serve. 

True to form, Vrabel ended his Titans career ready for a knife fight. He forgot what kind of heat his billionaire boss was packing.