Why Patriots Coach Mike Vrabel Once Yelled At NFL Insider

Mike Vrabel may be more cordial to the media in the buildup to Super Bowl LX than he was with one NFL reporter two years ago.

At this time in 2024, Vrabel was unsuccessfully seeking a head-coaching job after being fired by the Tennessee Titans. He’s needed just one season to steer the New England Patriots to an AFC title.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini recalled an unpleasant conversation with Vrabel about reporting on his 2024 job search on Monday’s “The Dan Patrick Show.”

“It was a genuine yell,” Russini said.

Before Super Bowl LVIII, Russini discussed an odd theory about why Vrabel wasn’t hired during that cycle. The insider said on “The Athletic Football Show” that two NFL general managers told her that decision-makers found the former linebacker too physically imposing.

Reporting on her comments morphed the story enough to irk Vrabel, who pressed Russini on her coverage.

“It went from an intimidating figure that is perhaps scaring owners to ‘Mike Vrabel’s too fat to get a job,'” Russini said. “So he calls me. He’s like, ‘Why would you ever report that? That’s ridiculous. That’s not even true.’ I’m like, are you asking me if I think you’re fat? So, that was not fun.”

Russini explained that she was relaying remarks from those GMs. During the 2024 podcast, she said she laughed at the notion that anyone would care about his physical stature when choosing a head coach.

“I was basically doing what I do all the time,” Russini said. “‘Hey, I had these conversations with two general managers, and they told me this is why they think Vrabs doesn’t have a job.’ I just think that’s interesting. Because the guy’s so physically large, it’s gonna prevent an owner from hiring him? That’s stupid.”

Fortunately, Robert Kraft apparently didn’t share those alleged concerns when hiring Vrabel last year. He’ll lead the Patriots into a Super Bowl matchup against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.