College Football Talk is reporting via a source that there is a “very good chance” Kansas City Chiefs free agent linebacker Mike Vrabel will join the Ohio State football coaching staff this fall. They go on to say that an announcement could come as soon as Monday.
And if he’s coaching at Ohio State then he won’t be playing football for the Kansas City Chiefs.
I will refrain from rejoicing because I like Vrabel but his leaving football is probably for the best. His skills have undergone an obvious decline and if he were to stay, it would have to be in limited backup/on field coach type roll.
If the news is true, the Chiefs will lose a leader. Still, Vrabel’s departure would mean that some of KC’s younger linebackers, guys like Andy Studebaker and Justin Houston, will get the chance to step up and seize a starting roll.
My bet is Studebaker, who the Chiefs have been grooming and who has been mentored by Vrabel for two years, will get the starting nod. I look for the Chiefs to rotate in Justin Houston throughout the season, especially in passing situations. If Houston plays well, he could see his snaps increase as the season wears on.
What do you think Addicts? Will you be happy if Vrabel retires? If he does, how do you see the Studebaker, Houston situation shaking out?