Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mike Vrabel

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Mike Vrabel made an impact.

Mike Vrabel is an American professional football coach and former NFL linebacker, currently the head coach of the New England Patriots. He achieved consensus All-American status at Ohio State before embarking on a successful 14-season NFL career. Most notably, he played for eight years with the Patriots, where he won three Super Bowls and earned First-team All-Pro honors. He is particularly remembered for his unique feat of scoring receiving touchdowns in consecutive Super Bowls (XXXVIII and XXXIX), a distinction unmatched by any other primarily defensive player.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1997: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers

In 1997, Mike Vrabel was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the NFL draft.

1998: Strip-Sacked Drew Bledsoe

In 1998, during his rookie season, Mike Vrabel strip-sacked Drew Bledsoe in the 1997–98 AFC Divisional Playoffs to clinch a 7–6 win for the Steelers.

1999: Recorded 9 tackles and two sacks

In 1999, Mike Vrabel had 9 tackles and two sacks playing for the Steelers.

2000: Recorded 15 tackles, one sack, and one fumble recovery

In 2000, Mike Vrabel recorded 15 tackles, one sack, and one fumble recovery for the Steelers.

2001: Joined New England Patriots

In 2001, Mike Vrabel joined the New England Patriots as a free agent and played in every game on defense.

2002: Caught One Touchdown

In 2002, Mike Vrabel caught one touchdown during the regular season.

2004: Caught Two Touchdowns

In 2004, Mike Vrabel caught two touchdowns during the regular season.

2004: Scored Touchdown in Super Bowl XXXVIII

In 2004, during Super Bowl XXXVIII, Tom Brady threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Mike Vrabel, making him the first defensive player to score a Super Bowl touchdown on offense since William "Refrigerator" Perry in Super Bowl XX.

December 26, 2005: Two Touchdown Catches and a Sack

On December 26, 2005, Mike Vrabel became the first player since 1982 to have two touchdown catches and a sack in the same game, during a Monday Night Football game on ABC.

2005: Caught Touchdown Pass in Super Bowl XXXIX

In 2005, Mike Vrabel caught a two-yard touchdown pass in Super Bowl XXXIX, a feat pictured on the cover of the 2005 NFL Record and Fact Book.

2005: Caught Three Touchdowns

In 2005, Mike Vrabel caught three touchdowns during the regular season and also recorded his only career defensive touchdown against the Carolina Panthers.

2005: Moved to Inside Linebacker

In 2005, Mike Vrabel moved to inside linebacker for the Patriots due to the limited effectiveness of other players.

2006: Moved Inside Again

Late in the 2006 season, Mike Vrabel moved inside again after Junior Seau suffered a broken arm.

2007: Caught Two Touchdowns

In 2007, Mike Vrabel caught two touchdowns during the regular season.

February 27, 2009: Traded to Kansas City Chiefs

On February 27, 2009, the Patriots traded Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs along with Matt Cassel.

2009: Caught One Touchdown with Chiefs

In 2009, Mike Vrabel caught one touchdown with the Chiefs thrown by Matt Cassel.

2009: Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs

In 2009, Mike Vrabel was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he finished his NFL career.

2010: Retired from NFL, Became Coach at Ohio State

Following the 2010 season, Mike Vrabel retired as a player and became the linebackers and defensive line coach at Ohio State.

2010: Caught One Touchdown with Chiefs

In 2010, Mike Vrabel caught one touchdown with the Chiefs thrown by Matt Cassel.

July 10, 2011: Retired to Coach at Ohio State

On July 10, 2011, Mike Vrabel retired from the NFL to become the linebackers coach at Ohio State.

January 10, 2014: Hired by Houston Texans

On January 10, 2014, Mike Vrabel was hired by the Houston Texans as a linebackers coach.

2014: Joined Houston Texans as Linebackers Coach

In 2014, Mike Vrabel began his NFL coaching career with the Houston Texans as their linebackers coach.

January 2016: Declined 49ers Defensive Coordinator Job

In January 2016, Mike Vrabel declined the San Francisco 49ers' offer for their defensive coordinator job.

January 2017: Named Texans Defensive Coordinator

In January 2017, Mike Vrabel was named the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans.

January 20, 2018: Hired as Head Coach of Tennessee Titans

On January 20, 2018, Mike Vrabel was hired as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

September 16, 2018: First Career Win as Head Coach

On September 16, 2018, Mike Vrabel won his first career game as a head coach, defeating the Houston Texans 20–17.

September 30, 2018: Victory Over Super Bowl Champion Eagles

On September 30, 2018, Mike Vrabel led the Titans to a 26–23 overtime victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

November 11, 2018: Victory Over Patriots

On November 11, 2018, Mike Vrabel beat his former coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots in a 34–10 victory.

2018: Hired as Head Coach of Tennessee Titans

In 2018, Mike Vrabel became the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

2019: Titans Made Playoffs

During the 2019 season, the Titans finished 9–7, making the playoffs as a sixth seed. They ultimately lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game after defeating the Patriots and Ravens in prior rounds.

2020: Titans Won AFC South

In the 2020 season, Mike Vrabel led the Titans to an 11–5 record and their first AFC South title since 2008, but they lost in the wild card round.

2021: Named AP Coach of the Year

In the 2021 season, Mike Vrabel led the Titans to a 12–5 record and the #1 overall seed in the AFC and was named the AP Coach of the Year; however, they lost in the Divisional Round.