Two more teams emerge as potential suitors for Mike Vrabel

Unsurprisingly, Mike Vrabel is among the most sought-after candidates in the 2025 hiring cycle. Already on the radar of the Jets and Patriots, the former Coach of the Year is drawing further interest.

The Bears have lined up an interview with Vrabel, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports. He added that the meeting would take place on Wednesday. Chicago sent out several interview requests Monday, but in Vrabel’s case, that is unnecessary. The former Titans coach recently saw his consulting contract with the Browns expire, leaving him free to speak with interested teams at any time.

Vrabel has already interviewed with the Jets, and the same will very likely be the case with the Patriots soon. New England fired Jerod Mayo on Sunday, ending his run as head coach after only one season. In the immediate aftermath of that decision, many pointed to Vrabel as Mayo’s likely successor. Indeed, as thing stand, the former Patriots linebacker is considered New England’s preferred choice. Vrabel will have several options to consider prior to taking the Patriots gig if that turns out to be his intent, though.

Chicago’s list of targets includes a wide range of experienced former head coaches — including Vrabel and longtime Seahawks HC Pete Carroll — as well as many of the top coordinators on the market. Vrabel spent six years at the helm of the Titans, leading the team to three straight postseason appearances (2019-21). The team's downward trend in his last two years — resulting in a 13-21 record — has not damaged his stock around the league, given the interest shown so far.

That includes the Jets, Patriots and Bears, but one of the other teams with a vacancy is also looking into Vrabel. The Saints are in contact and are attempting to line up an interview, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports. New Orleans has been on the lookout for a new coach since Dennis Allen‘s firing midway through the campaign, and the team sent out five interview requests Monday. Before that took place, Vrabel had already been mentioned as a name to watch for the Saints, so it comes as no surprise a meeting will likely be on the books soon.

For the coaches of playoff teams, rules are in place governing when (and, with respect to virtual or in-person interviews, how) candidates can meet with suitors. That does not apply to Vrabel, of course, so he could be among the first dominoes to fall during this year’s hiring cycle. It will be interesting to see how his initial round of interviews shakes out.