Griffin took to X to spell out his take: “The Tennessee Titans had Mike Vrabel and threw him out like a piece of garbage… and Mike Vrabel is SHINING BRIGHT. The Titans played themselves. Could have been them, but instead the Patriots are BACK.” The post followed New England’s 10-7 victory over the Denver Broncos in snowy conditions to reach the Super Bowl.
Vrabel’s Titans tenure ended in January 2024 after six seasons, leaving behind a 54-45 regular-season record and two postseason wins. The final two campaigns were difficult, going 7-10 in 2022 and 6-11 in 2023, with Tennessee finishing last in the AFC South in 2023 and enduring a seven-game skid to close 2022.
By contrast, Vrabel’s first season in New England produced a strong turnaround: the Patriots went 14-3, earned the AFC’s top seed, and captured an appearance in Super Bowl LX. He was named the 2025 PFWA NFL Coach of the Year, underscoring the perceived impact of his leadership in the Patriots’ resurgence.
Griffin’s comments also touch on the broader “inherited situation” discussion, noting New England’s improvements came with key pieces and a framework established before Vrabel’s arrival. The article references quarterback Drake Maye, drafted by the Patriots third overall in 2024 and later honored as the PFWA Most Improved Player of the Year, as part of the context that Vrabel benefits within a strong organizational setup.
Meanwhile, Tennessee has undergone significant leadership changes, hiring Brian Callahan as head coach after Vrabel’s departure and promoting Ran Carthon to general manager before 2023, with both now moved on. The Titans have since rebuilt under new regimes, watching Vrabel’s teams reach the Super Bowl while their own project continues.
The broader takeaway from Griffin’s view is a debate about where credit lies for sustained success in the NFL—the coach, the roster, and the organizational foundation. Vrabel’s 13-win total across his final two Tennessee seasons contrasts with his 14-3 mark in his first year in New England, culminating in a Super Bowl appearance that firmly anchors the argument in the ongoing cycle of NFL turnover.
