Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mike Vrabel

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

Mike Vrabel is a former NFL linebacker and current head coach. He had a successful 14-season playing career in the NFL, most notably with the New England Patriots. After retiring as a player, he transitioned to coaching, and was the head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018-2023. He is currently the head coach of the New England Patriots.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1982: Sacks Officially Recorded

In 1982, the NFL began officially recording sacks.

1986: Last Defensive Player Touchdown

In 1986, William "Refrigerator" Perry scored the last defensive player touchdown in Super Bowl XX, before Vrabel did it in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

1993: Ohio State University Enrollment

In 1993, Mike Vrabel began playing defensive end for Ohio State University.

1995: Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year

In 1995, Mike Vrabel was named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year.

1996: All-American Honors

In 1996, Mike Vrabel was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American as a senior at Ohio State.

1997: NFL Draft Selection

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

1997: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers

In 1997, Mike Vrabel was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (91st overall) of the NFL draft.

1998: Strip-Sacked Drew Bledsoe

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

1999: Vrabel's Stats

In 1999, Vrabel recorded 9 tackles and two sacks.

2000: Vrabel's Stats

In 2000, Vrabel recorded 15 tackles, one sack, and one fumble recovery.

2001: Joined New England Patriots

In 2001, Mike Vrabel joined the New England Patriots as a free agent.

2002: Titans Last AFC Championship Appearance

2002 was the last time the Titans appeared in the AFC Championship game, prior to Vrabel leading them there in 2019.

2002: Regular Season Touchdown

In 2002, Vrabel caught one touchdown pass in the regular season.

2004: Regular Season Touchdowns

In 2004, Vrabel caught two touchdown passes in the regular season.

2004: Super Bowl XXXVIII Touchdown

In 2004, during Super Bowl XXXVIII, Tom Brady threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Vrabel, who also had two sacks.

December 26, 2005: Two Touchdown Catches and a Sack

On December 26, 2005, Vrabel had two touchdown catches and a sack, becoming the first player since 1982 to achieve this in the same game.

2005: Moved to Inside Linebacker

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

2005: Regular Season Touchdowns and Defensive Touchdown

In 2005, Vrabel caught three touchdown passes in the regular season and also recorded a defensive touchdown.

2005: Super Bowl XXXIX Touchdown

In 2005, during Super Bowl XXXIX, Vrabel caught a two-yard touchdown pass and was featured on the cover of the 2005 NFL Record and Fact Book.

2006: Inside Linebacker Again

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

December 2007: Pro Bowl Selection

In December 2007, Mike Vrabel was selected to start at the Pro Bowl.

2007: Pro Bowl and All-Pro Selections

In 2007, Mike Vrabel earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selections.

2007: Regular Season Touchdowns

In 2007, Vrabel caught two touchdown passes in the regular season.

January 2008: NFL All-Pro Team Selection

In January 2008, Mike Vrabel was named to the NFL All-Pro team for the 2007 season.

2008: Titans Last Conference Top Seed

The Titans obtained their conference's top seed in 2008, before Mike Vrabel helped them obtain it again in 2021.

2008: AFC South Win

The Titans won the AFC South in 2008 prior to Vrabel leading them to win it again in 2020.

February 27, 2009: Traded to Kansas City Chiefs

On February 27, 2009, Mike Vrabel was traded by the Patriots to the Kansas City Chiefs.

2009: Touchdown with the Chiefs

In 2009, Vrabel caught a touchdown with the Chiefs.

2010: Touchdown with the Chiefs

In 2010, Vrabel caught a touchdown with the Chiefs.

July 10, 2011: Vrabel Retired to Coach

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

January 10, 2014: Hired by the Houston Texans

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

January 2016: Declined 49ers Offer

In January 2016, Mike Vrabel declined an offer from the San Francisco 49ers for their defensive coordinator job and remained in Houston.

January 2017: Named Texans Defensive Coordinator

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

2017: Titans Defense Ranking

In 2017, the Titans' defense was ranked 13th. This was before Vrabel became the head coach.

January 20, 2018: Hired as Titans Head Coach

On January 20, 2018, Mike Vrabel was hired as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans on a five-year deal.

September 16, 2018: First Career Win as Head Coach

On September 16, 2018, Mike Vrabel secured his first career win as a head coach, with the Titans beating the Houston Texans 20–17.

September 30, 2018: Victory Over Super Bowl Champions

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 Belichick and Patriots

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

2018: Vrabel Became Titans Head Coach

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

2019: AFC Championship Game Appearance

In 2019, as head coach, Vrabel led the Titans to an AFC Championship Game appearance, the franchise's first since 2002.

2019: Playoff Appearance and QB Change

In 2019, the Titans finished 9–7 and made the playoffs. During Week 6, Vrabel benched Marcus Mariota for Ryan Tannehill, leading to a turnaround.

2019: Patriots Best Start Since 2019

In 2025, Vrabel coached the Patriots to a 7-2 start, which was the team's best start since 2019.

2020: AFC South Win

In 2020, the Titans finished 11–5 and won the AFC South.

2021: NFL Coach of the Year

In 2021, Mike Vrabel was named NFL Coach of the Year after leading the Titans to the conference's top seed for the first time since 2008.

2022: Missed Playoffs

In the 2022 season, the Titans started strong but missed the playoffs, finishing with a 7–10 record.

2023: Dismissal from Titans

After the 2023 season, which ended with a 6–11 record, Vrabel was dismissed from the Titans.

2023: End of Titans Coaching

In 2023, Mike Vrabel's tenure as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans concluded.

2023: Surpassed Win Totals

In 2025, Vrabel coached the Patriots to a 7-2 start, surpassing their win total in the 2023 season.

March 15, 2024: Signed with Cleveland Browns

On March 15, 2024, Vrabel signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns as a coaching and personnel consultant.

2024: Surpassed Win Totals

In 2025, Vrabel coached the Patriots to a 7-2 start, surpassing their win total in the 2024 season.

January 12, 2025: Hired as Patriots Head Coach

On January 12, 2025, Mike Vrabel was hired as the head coach of the New England Patriots.

2025: Patriots Head Coach

In 2025, Vrabel was named the head coach of the New England Patriots.

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