Mike Vrabel to Bears? NFL insider claims Chicago better fit than Patriots for in-demand coach

Former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel is among the top coaching candidates this offseason. Several teams have requested a formal meeting with the 2021 Coach of the Year. However, the New England Patriots appear to be heavy favorites to land him.

Vrabel spent nine seasons as a player with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowls. He was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in October 2023, while he was still the Titans' head coach. He has a terrific relationship with owner Robert Kraft and lauded the team's leadership during his induction speech.

While the Patriots are frontrunners, NFL insider Albert Breer believes Vrabel should pick the Chicago Bears over the Patriots due to the roster's potential. On "The Breer Report" on Tuesday, he said:

"I think the Bears are a really interesting fit just as far as a city and a football coach. I don't think he could come with a better fit than the Bears. Mike Vrabel has also maximized players over the course of his career, something you can see very clearly from his work in Tennessee.

"It's with Ryan Tannehill, of course, getting the most out of Ryan Tannehill. It's also Derrick Henry, who hadn't done a lot before he got there. He helped turn Derrick Henry into one of the best."

Bears head coach hunt: Mike Vrabel is on Chicago's extensive candidates list

The Bears are keen on ensuring they hire the right man to help quarterback Caleb Williams live up to his potential and lead the franchise. They have lined up an exhaustive list of interviews with offensive and defensive coordinators of several teams.

According to reports, in addition to Vrabel, they are set to meet with Arizona Cardinals OC Drew Petzing, Buffalo Bills OC Joe Brady, Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken, Pittsburgh Steelers OC Arthur Smith, New York Giants OC Mike Kafka, Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson, and DC Aaron Glenn, Miami Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver, Minnesota Vikings DC Brian Flores, and Broncos senior personnel executive David Shaw in the coming weeks.

The Bears also asked permission to interview Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. However, owner Jerry Jones turned them away, indicating he wanted to retain his services.

However, if McCarthy wants to join the Bears, he only has to wait until next week, as his contract with the Cowboys is set to expire on January 14th. Chicago is leaving no stone unturned to ensure they find the perfect candidate but it remains to be seen who gets the gig.