The Commanders have appointed Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their new head coach, ending the 2024 head coach rotation.
But the Steelers should try their best to hire one of the many excellent coaches still available to join teams throughout the league.
Mike Vrabel, the head coach of the Titans in the past, is one of the coaches who did not get hired during the cycle. Pittsburgh would undoubtedly gain from having the 48-year-old on its staff in 2024 after he was voted the NFL Coach of the Year in 2021.
In a similar vein, the Steelers hired Brian Flores—who is currently the Vikings’ defensive coordinator—as their senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach in 2022. After working as the defensive coordinator in 2017 and the linebackers coach for the Texans from 2014 to 2016, Vrabel may decide to do the same before moving to Tennessee.
Additionally, Vrabel and Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh’s new offensive coordinator, get along well already. Smith served as Vrabel’s offensive coordinator for the Titans from 2019 to 2021, and the two might resume their collaboration in the Steel City.
The Steelers adore adding personnel and players with prior affiliations with the team. Vrabel, who was selected by Pittsburgh in the 1997 draft and spent four seasons playing for the team, most definitely matches the description.
As with Flores, adding Vrabel to head coach Mike Tomlin’s staff might only be a one-year experiment. However, Vrabel would be well worth the investment if he could make an impact comparable to that of Flores.
With Flores in the coaching staff in 2022, the defense gave up the fewest points per game (20.4) and the fewest rushing yards per game (108.1) in the league.
Vrabel must be upset that he won’t be leading the team in 2020–21. However, he might be earning a head coaching contract this time next year if the Steelers give him an opportunity to demonstrate his coaching abilities in 2024.
