With Mike Vrabel now in the fold, the focus turns to him filling out his staff. That's a huge deal, especially when it comes to the offensive staff that will aid Drake Maye and get that unit up to respectability as quickly as possible.
A look at the possible candidates, with some pros and cons:
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
With QB experience ... every league source I talk to says it's imperative that they get a QB developer, and there aren't very many of those. By far Vrabel's most important hire.
Charles London, Seahawks QBs
Pro: Was a QB coach under Arthur Smith, Mike Vrabel and Mike Macdonald.
Con: Known more as a RBs coach. Bill O'Brien didn't retain him in Houston. Has never been an offensive coordinator or playcaller.
Tim Kelly, Giants TEs coach
Pro: Experience as OC and QBs coach with Texans from 2019-21. Coached with Vrabel with Texans and was his pass game coordinator in 2022 and OC in 2023.
Con: Points ranking as OC - 14, 18, 30, 27. Far from a QB guru.
Klint Kubiak, Saints OC
Pro: Scheme looked really creative early last season before injuries and Derek Carr sent things downhill. Has coached QBs, and under Kevin Stefanski, Kyle Shanahan, Norv Turner. West Coast scheme.
Con: Saints finished 24th in points, 21st in yards. One year as a playcaller.
Josh McDaniels, free agent
Pro: Unquestioned resume as a QB developer and gameplanner/playcaller that excels in adapting to the talent at his disposal.
Con: Erhardt scheme. Not the flashiest of schemes and some players don't have the football IQ to perform in this offense. But his work in 2021 should have dispelled a lot of that.
Josh McCown, Vikings QBs
Pro: A 16-year career as an NFL QB with a 23-53 starting record. Mentor to Drake Maye. West Coast scheme.
Con: Only two years experience as a QB coach (Carolina). Has never been an offensive coordinator or called plays.
Dave Ragone, Rams QBs
Pro: Has coached QBs for Titans, Bears, Falcons and Rams. As OC of Falcons from 2021-23 (under former Vrabel OC Arthur Smith), offense went from 29th in points the first season to 11th before everyone was fired. West Coast scheme.
Con: Has never called the plays or done the job by himself. Smith called plays in Atlanta.
No QB experience
Nick Caley, Rams TEs/Pass Game Coordinator
Pro: Former Patriots TEs coach has spent the past two seasons under Sean McVay. West Coast scheme.
Con: Only one season as a pass-game coordinator, has never coached the QBs.
Mike LaFleur, Rams OC
Pro: Has a lot of experience and time in the Kyle Shanahan scheme and now has been with McVay for two seasons. Two years experience as OC with Jets from 2021-22. Offense was 31st and 14th in points with Jets. West Coast scheme.
Con: Only two seasons a playcaller, has never coached QBs.
Justin Outten, Titans TEs
Pro: Coached under Vrabel as his run-game coordinator in 2023. Offensive coordinator under Nathaniel Hackett with Broncos in 2022. West Coast scheme. Was with Alex Van Pelt with Packers.
Con: Has never been near a QB.
Other possibilities: Chad O'Shea, Browns; George Godsey, Ravens TEs
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
With Vrabel having a heavy say on defense, this hire isn't quite as important so we're just going to give you a blurb.
Lou Anarumo, former Bengals DC: Long had an inventive scheme that seemed similar to what Vrabel ran with Titans. Bengals bottomed out this season without much talent.
Shane Bowen, Giants DC: Vrabel's last DC with Titans would be his choice but he's not expected to be available.
Ryan Crow, Dolphins OLBs: Outside linebackers coach for Vrabel with Titans has been rising up the ranks.
Matt Eberflus, former Bears coach: Was McDaniels' handpicked DC for the Colts job and stayed. He excelled enough to be hired as Bears head coach.
Patrick Graham, Raiders DC: Former Patriots defensive line coach has called the defenses for Miami, Giants and Raiders from 2019-2024. Very smart and respected.
Bobby King, Eagles ILBs: Coached same spot for Vrabel the last two seasons with Titans. His unit has done very well under Vic Fangio. His time could be coming.
Robert Saleh, former Jets HC and former 49ers DC: Could potentially land a head job in this cycle. His defenses have always been top-notch, but pretty zone-heavy. Not much scheme transference with Vrabel.
Terrell Williams, Lions DL/run-game coordinator: Despite being Vrabel's assistant head coach with Titans, not considered to be a defensive coordinator but would make sense if Vrabel wants to call plays.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jeremy Springer, Patriots: Vastly improved the unit this season and should be interviewed for the spot.
Tom Quinn, Patriots ASTs: Took over Vrabel's unit in the second half of 2023. Could just keep the staff in place here.
Bubba Ventrone, Browns AHC/STs: Former teammate is thought to be high on Vrabel's wish-list but would need to be allowed to leave by Kevin Stefanski.
Anthony Levine, Titans ASTs: Former Packer and Raven stayed on after Vrabel's departure but hasn't risen above assistant status.
ON THE RADAR
Former coaches with connections to Vrabel...
John Streicher, Rams game management assistant: Was Vrabel's right-hand man/Ernie Adams with Titans. Will he want to leave?
Scott Booker, Bills nickel coach: Was Vrabel's safeties coach and did well.
Tony Dews, Jets RBs: Did so well with Titans RBs that Vrabel allowed him to move to tight ends to expand.
Chris Harris, Titans pass game/CBs: Brought in by Vrabel for his final season. Very experienced.
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A few other notes that I don't think we've "reported" here:
Mike Vrabel will have final say on everything. Ryan Cowden is technically under Eliot Wolf, who could stay for a while if things work out, but Vrabel and Cowden are going to have the most say on any decision. Cowden is known as a good team player, and has been in a few different systems. I read this as the Krafts, like most owners, telling Vrabel that they really like their personnel department, have them under contract, and he should try them out/give them some time before doing anything drastic. Not unusual.
I think the OC search is wide open.