The Atlanta Falcons are in the midst of doing their do-diligence in searching for the future head coach of the franchise. Ravens DC Mike McDonald, 49ers DC Steve Wilks, Lions DC Aaron Glenn, Rams DC Raheem Morris, Bengals DC Brian Callahan, Lions OC Ben Johnson, Texas OC Bobby Slowik, and Ravens Assitant HC & DL coach Anthony Weaver have all been reported as received initial interviews with the team -- but where is Mike Vrabel?
The former head coach of the Tennessee Titans was one of the bigger surprises of this week's terminations. He has years of success and is widely respected as one of the better game-day coaches in the NFL. Why wouldn't he be a top option for the Falcons?
"How come we're not mentioning Mike Vrabel?" Sandra asked Steak about the Falcons coaching search. "My list begins with Mike Vrabel. I mean, players that played for Mike Vrabel in Tennessee have said so!"
The Falcons have never hired a head coach with prior experience since Arthur Blank took over the franchise in 2002. If that's the direction that the team wants to go, Mike Vrabel is as good of an option as there's been on the open market. In his six seasons in charge, he overachieved en route to a 9-7 record in his first two years and played in an AFC Championship game. He finished 11-5 the next season before peaking as the AFC's No. 1 seed in 2021 at 12-5 in the same year that he took home NFL Coach of the Year honors.
It wasn't until his roster bottomed out that he began losing games, and eventually ownership.
One thing worth noting, however, is that the Falcons only have to report the interviews of coaches that are currently under contract. So there is a possibility that Falcons ownership has spoken to him (or another prominent name on the market) because they are under no obligation of reporting those conversations.
"(After) being at the press conference, I think they want a head coach with experience," Steak replied to Sandra. "If you're not talking to Mike Vrabel, what are you doing?!"