There has been a lot of talk of trying to get Houston Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel in as the San Francisco 49ers next defensive coordinator, but he might have another route to the NFC West. MMQB reporter Albert Breer tweeted that the Los Angeles Rams have received permission to interview Vrabel. They plan on interviewing him after the Texans playoff game against New England.
Vrabel has the New England connection with Josh McDaniels, and was offered the 49ers DC job a year ago. He turned it down, and that might have been the first sign things might not go swimmingly with Chip Kelly’s defense. There has been some thought that Vrabel might wait for Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel to retire, and get the promotion into his role, but this creates another wrinkle to that. The Texans do not have to let Vrabel interview again for a defensive coordinator job, but they cannot stop him from interviewing for a head coach role.
The Rams are joining the 49ers in casting a wide net for their head coach position. According to coachingsearch.com, they have already conducted interviews with Steve Wilks, John Fassel, Harold Goodwin, Kyle Shanahan, Josh McDaniels, Sean McVay, Matt Patricia, Anthony Lynn, Doug Marrone. They are also scheduled to interview Teryl Austin.