NFL coaching carousel: The 5 most chaotic possibilities for this offseason
By Simon Shortt
4. Las Vegas Raiders hire Mike Vrabel
Of this whole list, this move is the one I most can see happening, at least before Saturday morning's news.
Interim coach Antonio Pierce has emerged as the leading candidate to become the full-time head coach in Las Vegas, with the support of key players there, per league sources. There will be other options for Raiders’ owner Mark Davis to consider, but as one source said, “I would be… pic.twitter.com/KhLmROeGAJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2024
But let's fuel the chaos. And it would start by spurning the fanbase and star players to make this move for Mike Vrabel. So much so that it was reported Maxx Crosby could request a trade if interim head coach Antonio Pierce wasn't retained.
The Jim Harbaugh intrigue is increasing:
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2024
— Sources say the #Michigan coach plans to meet with the #Chargers this week.
— Maxx Crosby will explore a trade request if Antonio Pierce isn’t retained.
— Michigan is fighting back.
Story with @TomPelissero:https://t.co/vEn1OhdAHu
— 🦅MaddMaxx🦅 (@CrosbyMaxx) January 12, 2024
With that said, can't you just envision Vrabel running out of the tunnel in Vegas with the silver and black-clad players behind him? Coaching (maybe) Maxx Crosby and Robert Spillane to form a trio of lunatic defenders? I can.
Personally, I like Pierce and think he deserves the job, but bringing on Mike Vrabel would be hard to pass up.
And there's the ownership factor. Mark Davis is not afraid to make the big hire. And could Tom Brady be in the mix? Brady is still reportedly trying to buy a stake in the Raiders. He already has ownership in WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces along with Davis.
Between the backlash of not keeping Pierce then the announcement of Vrabel, the idea of him and Brady reuniting, and the potential player drama that follows, Vrabel to Las Vegas would certainly be chaotic.