Raiders Rumors: Las Vegas Eyeing Mike Vrabel As Potential Next Head Coach?

Corey Hansford
Corey Hansford
4 Min Read
Aug 4, 2024; Cleveland Browns advisor Mike Vrabel during practice at the Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 season has been an absolute bust for the Las Vegas Raiders so far. The team has been marred by poor quarterback play, injuries and plenty of drama both on and off the field in Antonio Pierce’s first year as head coach.

Pierce got the job after the Raiders’ strong ending to last year when he took over as interim coach. But now, at just 2-8, there are sure to be some rumblings about whether he will keep the job going forward if things continue to go south.

If the Raiders were to move on, there is already a top name emerging as the leading candidate to replace him as Evan Massey of Sports Illustrated reports that former Tennessee Titans head coach and current Cleveland Browns consultant Mike Vrabel would be the choice of new Raiders part-owner Tom Brady to take over as head coach:

An NFL league source tells Browns On SI there is a strong sentiment in Las Vegas that Mike Vrabel would be Tom Brady’s first choice to be the Raiders head coach in 2025. After Sunday’s loss to Miami, Antonio Pierce has the Raiders off to their worst start since 2018 in his first full season as their head coach. Pierce has maintained the support of the locker room in Las Vegas, but his chances of keeping the job appear to be shrinking by the week.

The connection between Vrabel and Brady is well known as the two being teammates on three Super Bowl Championship teams with the New England Patriots. As a coach, Vrabel had great success with the Titans, leading them to three consecutive playoff appearances, including a trip to the AFC Championship Game in 2019.

But there is also the chance that he may not be available for the Raiders as Massey also noted that the Browns could make a move to potentially keep him in Cleveland:

Other sources across the league have indicated to Browns on SI that it would be wise for the Browns to move on from Kevin Stefanski and make Vrabel an offer now if they have any desire to keep him in Cleveland.

Vrabel will be one of the most desired coaches come this offseason, should he be available. The Raiders would have to make a serious offer if they do indeed want to move on from Pierce. There are a lot of moving parts here, and nothing is guaranteed, but a potential partnership with the Raiders and Vrabel is worth keeping an eye on.

Are the Raiders the best landing spot for Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders?

Regardless of who is the head coach for the Raiders next year, one area that must be improved is the quarterback position. The 2025 NFL Draft features several tantalizing prospects, and one of the top is University of Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper believes the Raiders would be the perfect spot for Sanders, noting the relationship he already has with Raiders part-owner Tom Brady. The Raiders still need to make some roster improvements to build the right infrastructure around Sanders, or any other QB for that matter, but the team also has plenty of salary cap room to work with.

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Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.