Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel spoke to the media at the 2020 NFL Combine on Tuesday and covered multiple hot topics.
One of the biggest question marks is how the Titans are going to run their defense, as the team does not plan on naming a defensive coordinator this season.
Vrabel spoke about that, as well as impending free agent quarterback Ryan Tannehill. And, to no one’s surprise, there was a question about quarterback Tom Brady in there.
Here’s what he had to say on those things and more.
On the defensive play-calling
“Well, right now working through the process of who’s going to be, you know, running the defensive side of us,” Vrabel said, per Terry McCormick of Titan Insider.”Really excited about this staff, but I’m working through that process of doing what’s what’s best for the players and the Titans, but excited about the group of guys we have and how we expect to play defense for the Titans.”
“My job is to always do what’s best for the team. My role as the head coach is to be around and be in meetings,” Vrabel continued. “I think that’s one of my strengths, that I feel like I can go in and be involved in the offense, and the defense, and the special teams. That will continue, whatever path that we go down.”
Vrabel was also asked about the potential of veteran inside linebackers coach Jim Haslett calling plays, to which he responded “we’re still working through that.”
On Ryan Tannehill
Like general manager Jon Robinson earlier in the day, Vrabel didn’t really show his hand either way on whether or not the team would bring Tannehill back in 2020, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online.
“Ryan did a lot of great things for us. He came in in a tough situation, led our football team and all those players that have expiring contracts, that’s Jon’s job and my job to help put our football team together, and we continue to have those conversations.”
One of the more interesting things about Robinson’s comments about Tannehill when compared to his comments about Derrick Henry was that the Titans GM seemed to be more definitive about keeping the star back.
Unfortunately, Vrabel didn’t discuss Henry, so we couldn’t see the contrast in his comments between the two.
On Tom Brady
Naturally, Vrabel was asked about his relationship with Brady because of all the speculation that he might join the Titans in 2020, and Vrabel had a great quip for that.
Since Vrabel took over as head coach, the Titans have beaten Brady and the Pats twice, once during the 2018 regular season and once during the 2019 playoffs.
There isn’t really much the Titans can say about Brady right now, as he’s under contract with the Patriots still.
So, let the speculation continue.
More topics
Vrabel on the NFL Combine:
On what the team needs to improve in 2020:
On the pass rush and coverage:
On outside linebacker Kamalei Correa:
On backup quarterback, Logan Woodside:
