Mike Vrabel has been hands-on with Browns tight ends and special teams in his coaching consultant role and is having fun with the team he grew up rooting for in Akron. (TheLandOnDemand)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
WHITE SUPHUR SPRINGS, WV
Takeaways from Browns training camp Day 5 …
Yes, Mike Vrabel wants to be an NFL head coach again, and, yes, the Browns realize that’s probably going to happen next year.
“We’re probably on borrowed time with him,” said Browns GM Andrew Berry, “but we’re going to maximize it as much as possible.”
This personnel and coaching consultant gig was hatched at the NFL Combine in February.
Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski were unsure Vrabel wanted to do it. Vrabel, a native of Akron whose high school jersey number will be retired this year at Walsh Jesuit HS, loved the idea. Before long, Vrabel was evaluating a list of draftable players assigned him by Berry.
“You try to figure out what they do best, write up a report and when asked about them in the meeting, try to give a concise answer as to how you see the player, how they could fit, what roles they could fill,” Vrabel said. “And if they don’t call on you, then you go on to the next player. That’s generally how those draft meetings went for me.”
Since the Browns returned for the start of the offseason program, Vrabel has been in his element, back to his roots as a hands-on, demanding coach.
Stefanski steered Vrabel to the tight ends room to assist first-time NFL assistant and expected, fast-rising offensive assistant Tommy Rees. Vrabel also has assisted special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, who was his teammate in New England under Bill Belichick as players.
Vrabel said he and Stefanski and Berry agreed he would have no role on game days, "which is the right fit for everybody."
“He’s awesome,” said tight end David Njoku. “He’s a very hands-on guy, very old-school guy. He finds ways to get … not necessarily under my skin, but he tries to get in my head. Then I get mad at him and we start going at it. He’s a great old-fashioned coach.”
Vrabel was fired as head coach of the Tennessee Titans by controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk after a 6-11 season in 2023. His overall record in six years was 55-45, with two AFC South titles and a 2-3 record in the playoffs.
“This is my 25th NFL training camp, so I would say that nothing surprises me in the National Football League,” Vrabel said. “That’s part of the job. I think it’s disappointing. I think you’re disappointed that you couldn’t do the job the way that they wanted it, or they envisioned it. But again, this is the opportunity that I think is best for me right now.”
Vrabel accepted the Browns’ consulting position after the 2024 NFL coaching season left him without a job. He had a few head coach interviews and wants to plunge back into the hiring pool in 2025.
“Sure. And, I mean, at the right time. There’s a time and place for that,” he said. “It’s not going to be anytime soon. So, I think that things that I’ll ultimately learn here may help me the next time that I get an opportunity to have one of those interviews. This is what I’m focused on, doing that and learning here and helping. And then, you know, if those opportunities present themselves after the season, then I’ll absolutely try to do that.”
In the meantime, Vrabel will thrive on coaching tight ends and special teams with the team he grew up rooting for. He’s having a blast sprinting against Jameis Winston in between periods. When the Browns concluded one practice here with sideline-to-sideline wind sprints, Vrabel was the only coach to join in.
“I think it’s always a good reminder [to have fun] as you reflect on, you know, ultimately what this is,” Vrabel said. “And it’s a game and I get that it’s a business and it’s a competitive business, but not losing sight of that and not losing sight of, you know, being able to enjoy it along the way. You can work hard and have a good time at the same time. I think that that’s something that’s always important to remember.”
Berry said Vrabel has been like an eager, first-time, quality-control coach the way he’s sprinting around the practice fields.
“We are certainly getting our money’s worth with Mike, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have him here with us,” Berry said.
Busy day for No. 4
After two rain delays, the Browns practiced hard – in shells, not full pads -- for 75 minutes in steam bath conditions.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson, who hasn’t missed a day throwing, had a heavy load, participating in two 7-on-7 periods, one full team period, and two 7-on-7 red zone periods.
Watson was 3 of 8 in the first two 7-on-7 periods, and nearly was intercepted by safety Juan Thornhill on his lone deep throw intended for Michael Woods.
He responded after that with a 5-for-5 round in the team period and then was 6 of 9 with 6 touchdowns in the 7-on-7 red zone periods.
Watson connected for TDs with Amari Cooper in the corner, Cedric Tillman crossing the middle, David Njoku with Ronnie Hickman draped behind him, Elijah Moore, Giovanni Ricci and Pierre Strong.
If the initial test for Watson in training camp was to see if his arm and shoulder held up for consecutive days of competitive throwing, then he certainly has passed through the first week.
Brownie bits
The new kickoff format has dominated special teams practice. For the first time, there was work on punting and gunner drills on punt coverage. Also, Dustin Hopkins took some reps with full field-goal units …
Nickel back Cameron Mitchell joined practice for the first time and took a full load …
Defensive end Za’Darius Smith was excused for personal reasons. Tackle Shelby Harris was not on the field because of an undisclosed injury …
Notable DNPs among players not on injury lists were defensive end Myles Garrett, safety Rodney McLeod and receiver Jerry Jeudy. Once again, Jeudy jumped in for a couple reps in a offensive period on air without helmets …
The Browns have no field work on Wednesday. They will have a walk-through closed to media, meetings and some undisclosed bonding activity.