Browns reporter expands on hiring of Mike Vrabel as consultant

On Monday, Browns insider Tony Grossi suggested that Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski has little to worry about regarding the club's hiring of former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel as a consultant. 

"Vrabel is a great coach who will be in charge of a new team next year, I believe," Grossi explained. "Joining the Browns as a consultant keeps Vrabel in the NFL loop. It signals to other teams, 'Hey, I still want to coach. Don’t forget about me next year.' Fact is, these consultant positions usually benefit the consultant more than the team. Sometimes they are payback appointments." 

Grossi and The Athletic's Zac Jackson noted that Vrabel previously hired current Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to a consultant’s role with the Titans ahead of the 2021 season after he left the Philadelphia Eagles due to health issues. Schwartz spent two campaigns with Tennessee, and Grossi mentioned that stint helped him get the Cleveland job last winter. 

According to ESPN stats, the Browns finished this past regular season leading the NFL in total defense (270.2 yards surrendered per game) and passing defense (164.7 yards allowed per contest). It's assumed both Vrabel and Schwartz could interview for head coaching positions in January 2025. 

"I’m not saying Vrabel doesn’t bring some value to the Browns," Grossi added. "I just can’t speculate on the impact any 'consultant' makes with a team."

While Grossi's take is fair, it's also understandable that fans have plenty of questions about Stefanski replacing offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt with Ken Dorsey and about the club's hiring of Vrabel, the 2021 Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year after the 2023 Browns completed a journey to the playoffs. 

Stefanski earned Coach of the Year honors for the second time across four seasons in February. 

Both Jackson and Grossi indicated that "there’s likely nothing to see here" regarding Vrabel working for Cleveland as a consultant. That said, whispers about Stefanski possibly being on the hot seat will only grow louder if the 2024 Browns fail to perform like a contender, as Vrabel is considering his next move while employed by the AFC North club.