An NFL GM reportedly shared Mike Vrabel's physical stature kept him from landing head coaching job this cycle

When the NFL coaching cycle started with seven openings, it would have been hard to find someone that believed all those jobs would get filled and yet Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel would both be left on the market.

Yet that is exactly how it all played out.

There wasn't a single taker for arguably the greatest NFL coach ever, with 6 Super Bowls and surely some good football left in the tank at 71-years old, nor the former Patriot who won double-digit games in 2021 and 2022 with the Titans.

Their link together with the Patriots aside, the two have plenty in common including their obvious disdain interacting with the media at times, and while that certainly could have been part of the equation, this year's cycle saw five of the seven openings go to guys that will lead a team for a full season for the very first time (Dave Canales, Antonio Pierce, Jerod Mayo, and Mike Macdonald).

Meanwhile, two guys were tabbed for a second crack at being an NFL head coach (Jim Harbaugh and Dan Quinn).

Vrabel, the former Patriots linebacker who looks like he still has a few snaps left in him, went 54-45 leading the Titans, and compiled that record in a quarterback-driven league driven without a consistent option at the position that would have started on a lot of other teams in the league.

So what kept him from landing another NFL head coaching opportunity?

Well according to a comment made by Dianna Russini of The Athletic today, at least one NFL GM commented on his physique and intense demeanor as one thing that may have held him back.

"I don't think there was a fit for him. 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 that can be very intimidating to people in an organization that are going to be part of these decisions...and that is a factor."

Not wanting Vrabel to lead a team because he takes care of himself like he could be called into NFL action at any moment seems beyond an absolutely ridiculous rationale, but maybe we shouldn't be surprised as we're talking about the same league that has lagged well behind in hiring minority coaches and front office personnel.

For the record, how "large" is Vrabel? About 6'4, 260.

That conversation with the GM seems like the perfect opportunity to mention Dan Campbell's success with the Detroit Lions in one of the most impressive rebuilds in recent NFL memory. 

Campbell had a spent more than a decade in the NFL as a tight end at 6'5, 260 pounds.

The comments regarding Vrabel strike me as the latest sign that the thought process of front office personnel in the NFL needs a drastic, immediate overhaul. Insecure individuals who want to make hiring decisions based factors that have nothing to do with a candidate's ability to lead men (and women) deserve no place at the table of decision makers.

But for now, I'll take that as further proof that dad bods continue to be "in," and send this to my wife.

See the audio clip for full context.