Luke Fickell hints at Mike Vrabel helping with Badgers football starting in spring

Things may not have turned out the way former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel would have liked as he remained unemployed by the NFL. However, there might be something in the works for him with his friend and current head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers, Luke Fickell.

During a recent appearance on the ESPN Wisconsin duo of Wilde and Tausch Podcast Show, Fickell discussed several storylines surrounding his program as they enter into the 2024 offseason. And while joking about the rumors about why Vrabel was not hired after being let go by the Titans, the Badgers head man revealed he might be a visitor in Wisconsin early and often.

“I have talked to him,” said Fickell. “I think on Saturday, and we hadn’t communicated for a week or so, just because the process was going. And honest to God, he sounded like a new man. I’m not sure exactly if this was his choice or what it is that the future really looks like, but I know that we’re gonna have a visitor here that’s gonna spend a little bit of time hopefully around us. You know, coming in the spring and some things like that. See how much, how deep we can get involved with my buddy.”

Vrabel, 48, did receive some interest on the market. He interviewed with the Los Angeles Chargers and Atlanta Falcons, though those jobs eventually went to Jim Harbaugh and Raheem Morris respectively. Not only did Vrabel keep Tennessee competitive, but he guided them to three playoff appearances, including an AFC Championship Game in 2019.

NFL GM suggested Mike Vrabel being ‘very large’ hurt his job prospects

The 2024 NFL head coaching cycle has come and gone, and Mike Vrabel is still a free agent.

Despite coaching the Tennessee Titans to a 54-45 record across six seasons, Vrabel received no takers — a surprising development. Dianna Russini of The Athletic, speaking on “The Athletic Football Show,” shed some light on why Vrabel didn’t get a head coaching job during this cycle. According to the NFL insider, Vrabel may be just too big for some front offices to work with.

“I don’t think there was a fit for him,” Vrabel said. “I don’t think he sat in front of any owner who thought that his style was going to work for what they were looking for… I had a GM at the Senior Bowl who mentioned to me Vrabel’s physical build. That he’s a very large human being. And can be very intimidating to people in an organization that are going to be part of these decisions. And that is a factor.”

Well, that would certainly be a new one. For reference, Vrabel was listed at 6-foot-4, 261 pounds when he played in the NFL. Russini even admitted she laughed at the notion when it was said to her.

“He said, ‘I’m just telling you I’ve been in rooms and somebody’s physical presence can make a difference,’” Russini said. “And if you think about it makes sense. Outside of football, it has an effect.”