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The one move that defined the 2018 NFL season for all 32 teams

By Erik Lambert

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 2: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans watches his team warm up before playing the New York Jets at Nissan Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Tennessee Titans: Hiring Mike Vrabel

The Titans felt they needed to go in a different direction at head coach this year. Mostly because despite Mike Mularkey making the playoffs in 2017, the direction of quarterback Marcus Mariota was going the wrong way. That’s why Mike Vrabel was hired. Not only could he help improve the defense given his background, but his Patriots connection meant he understood the steps he needed to take in order to get the young QB back on track.

All things considered, he’s done that. The Titans defense is one of the better units in the NFL, playing with an edge and toughness they didn’t use to have. Mariota still isn’t in the form he had early in his career, but he’s at least not throwing more interceptions than touchdowns as he did last year. One can call that progress. There is still work to be done in order to make the playoffs but one can say the change has been a positive one.

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