It seems that the HC who led the Titans to four playoffs in six years wanted complete autonomy to operate.

L-R: Amy Adams Strunk, Skip Bayless and Mike Vrabel (Via Imago/X)

The Tennessee Titans wasted no time in firing the team’s HC Mike Vrabel after the conclusion of the season. The Titans were unable to make it into the playoffs this season as they went 6-11.

This puts an end to Mike Vrabel‘s six-year tenure at Tennessee. The move was nothing short of shocking, as fans did not expect this to happen. Skip Bayless of FOX’ Undisputed was equally surprised when he heard about the news.

I can’t tell you how shocked I was about this…

He then attempted to make sense of the firing by referring to the statement of Amy Adams Strunk, the owner of the Titans, who in her statement mentioned that,

As the NFL continued to innovate and evolve. I believe the team’s best position for sustained success would be those who empower and align and collaborative team across all football functions.

This statement leads Bayless to believe that Mike Vrabel wanted more autonomy while operating, but Amy Adams Strunk did not trust him enough or want to give him all that power. Mike Vrabel was a former linebacker for the New England Patriots from 2001-08. He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers but played the bulk of his career in Boston before ending his pro career as a Kansas City Chief.

Skip Bayless condemned Mike Vrabel’s firing

Skip Bayless believes this also had a factor to play in his firing.

She wanted Vrabel to be a team player as in just one up the hierarchy and the decision makers on equal footing with her…Vrabel obviously old school…chip off the Belichick block…he’s his own guy…his ten toes are always down…It sounded like there was some sort of power struggle internally.

Mike Vrabel (Via Imago)
It seems that the HC who led the Titans to four playoffs in six years wanted complete autonomy to operate and did not want to keep consulting Strunk at every juncture. However, this did not sit well with the owner, as she was not interested in giving up control of the team.

Was this the right move to make for the Titans? Skip Bayless vehemently disagrees.

I think it’s absolutely the wrong decision.

Bayless

He is not wrong. After all, Vrabel turned the Titans around and had an immediate impact on the team. Granted, the team has not looked like its true self this season, but Vrabel did not deserve to be fired. An HC of his caliber is bound to get another job almost immediately.