It has almost become common practice for a head coach taking over a new team to sign players from their previous jobs at some point during their tenure. We've already seen Mike Vrabel reunite with a handful of Titans players since the Patriots hired him, and he continues to be linked to more of the biggest free agents and trade opportunities involving current and former Tennessee stars.
That was a conversation this past offseason about one player in particular, who looked like he might be traded if not given an extension. Unfortunately for Vrabel and New England, that massive new contract came just a few weeks ago, officially eliminating him from potentially suiting up with the Patriots and being coached by Vrabel once again.
That player is defensive end Jeffery Simmons, who signed a three-year, $105.8 million extension last month. It took him off the short list of players Vrabel would likely want to reunite with, especially since the Patriots need some help on the defensive line, and based on Simmons' latest comments, it doesn't sound like it was completely off the table.
It's certainly a gut punch, considering their pass rush is considered their biggest weakness going into training camp, and Simmons would immediately elevate that group to the next level.
Jeffery Simmons is still a big fan of his former head coach Mike Vrabel
During a recent conversation on Terron Armstead's "The Set" podcast, Simmons spoke about watching Vrabel's first-year success with the Patriots and didn't hesitate to say he was indeed jealous of seeing him lead them to the Super Bowl so quickly.
"Was I surprised? Um, man, I think we all would be surprised if this guy, first year in New England, they go straight to the Super Bowl. First off, I'm jealous as hell. Like what? ... I was just with you four years, and you couldn't get me to the Super Bowl?"
That's a totally valid reaction.
At the same time, maybe it's looking too much into what he had to say, but it sure sounds like Simmons wouldn't have been opposed to playing for Vrabel again with the Patriots had he been given the opportunity.
And at one point, he looked destined for the trade market, but a new head coach and a potential new philosophy in the building made sure he remained a Titan.
Regardless, he didn't stop complimenting his former head coach there, and he went into more detail about what makes Vrabel so great at his job. It's these kinds of details that help us understand why Patriots players have bought into him so quickly and why they reached the Championship game in Year 1.
"One of the things when you build that relationship off the football field and I ... think that's the biggest thing with Vrabel, man. When you can build a relationship with your players off the football field and not just when you touch that football field, they going to play as hard as they can for you. That's what Vrabel brings, bro.
He just brings that type of energy and that type of, I know I'm not your dad but I'm going to do everything possible to make you feel safe with me. I'ma do everything I can do, 'cause on game day I'm going to need you."
After an offseason filled with controversy and drama, Vrabel will need to maintain this kind of attitude and commitment to being the head coach players have known and loved to keep the Patriots' rise going.
There will always be distractions, and his scandal involving NFL insider Dianna Russini couldn't have been worse, but as long as those situations are handled appropriately and the focus remains on football, there's no reason the Patriots can't maintain this level of success.
Clearly, players respect Vrabel and the kind of coach he is, as we've already seen from the entire Patriots team thus far, and it will be crucial that he continues to be that kind of coach for them moving forward, just as Simmons described.
It could also be the reason former Titans players and other free agents or tradeable names will want to become the next New England Patriot, and because their Super Bowl window is projected to be open for another decade, that could become a massive part of their success story for years to come.
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