Patriots Legend Tedy Bruschi Criticizes Front Office For Missing On Vrabel Hiring

Introduction

Former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi has expressed his disappointment with the team’s decision to pass on hiring Mike Vrabel as their head coach in 2018. Vrabel, who was a linebacker for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008, went on to become a successful head coach with the Tennessee Titans, leading them to the AFC Championship Game in 2019 and 2021.

Bruschi believes that the Patriots made a mistake by not hiring Vrabel, who he says would have been a good fit for the team. “I think he would have been a great coach for us,” Bruschi said. “He’s a great leader, he’s a great motivator, and he’s a great strategist.”

The Patriots’ Decision-Making Process

The Patriots decided to hire Matt Patricia as their head coach in 2018. Patricia had been the team’s defensive coordinator for the previous six seasons, but he had no head coaching experience.

Some critics believe that the Patriots made a mistake by hiring Patricia, who was fired after two seasons. They argue that Vrabel, who had a successful playing career and had been a defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, would have been a better choice.

The Patriots have not publicly stated why they decided to hire Patricia over Vrabel. However, it is possible that they were impressed with Patricia’s work as defensive coordinator and believed that he was ready to be a head coach.

Vrabel’s Success With The Titans

Since joining the Titans in 2018, Vrabel has led the team to a 43-27 record, including three playoff appearances. He has been praised for his leadership, his ability to motivate his players, and his defensive acumen.

In 2021, Vrabel led the Titans to the AFC Championship Game, where they lost to the Cincinnati Bengals. However, the Titans were without several key players due to injuries, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry.

Bruschi’s Criticism

Bruschi has been critical of the Patriots’ decision to pass on hiring Vrabel. In a recent interview, he said that the team “missed the boat” by not hiring Vrabel.

“I think he would have been a great coach for us,” Bruschi said. “He’s a great leader, he’s a great motivator, and he’s a great strategist. I think he would have been a great fit for our team.”

Conclusion

The Patriots’ decision to pass on hiring Vrabel has been a controversial one. Some critics believe that the team made a mistake by hiring Patricia, who was fired after two seasons. They argue that Vrabel, who has had a successful coaching career with the Titans, would have been a better choice.

Only time will tell if the Patriots made the right decision. However, Bruschi’s criticism is a reminder that the team may have missed out on a great coach in Vrabel.