Mike Vrabel and Will Compton had a rather stirring Tennessee Titans reunion — leading to fans and even a poll asking if the head coach and Ex-Titans linebacker turned media personality were going to come to blows.
How It All Began on ‘Bussin With The Boys’
Vrabel reflected back on a game with Compton as his ‘backer where the opponent was running out the clock and, as he called it, “Willy C is making tackles at the end of the game,” which drew laughs from the podcast hosts.
While Compton laughed and said, “that is fact,” Vrabel asked if Compton meant it as a verbal jab directed toward him. Compton, though, responded by saying how he respected Vrabel’s game and how he knows his former head coach’s humor.
However, Vrabel reacted with, “You better watch your f****** tone with me, brother.”
That’s when the thoughts of wrestling surfaced for Compton. To which Vrabel replied, “We don’t have to f****** step out anywhere. We can do that s*** right in here.”
While Compton had a backer in co-host and Pro Bowl tackle Taylor Lewan, Vrabel clapped back with, “Not a f****** chance. I will beat Will’s f****** a**.”
The entire segment can be watched below.
Who is winning in a fight: Will Compton or Mike Vrabel? pic.twitter.com/LTSM7Ihqb0
— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) July 20, 2023
But again, fans began wondering if a scrap fest between the head coach and his former player would occur. Even Compton, who played in the 2018 and 2020 seasons with Vrabel in Nashville, channeled his inner pro wrestler with this tweet response:
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) July 20, 2023
But for what it’s worth, this conversation was in humor, and turns out it’s not the first time Vrabel and Compton have taken playful jabs at one another.
Mike Vrabel and Will Compton: A History of Humorous Shade
Back in March 2022, Vrabel made rare appearances on Twitter to call out his past linebacker.
Compton shared a story of how he broke his leg, but Vrabel “didn’t move the drill up” to give Compton space and ran the next play with the ‘backer clutching his injury.
“That explains why you’re so slow…broken leg,” Vrabel responded.
But there was one more. Compton recalled a past quote from Vrabel in telling the Titans, “The great ones make it look easy.” Vrabel, however, gave him a fact check.
I hope you didn’t think I was talking about you when I said that. https://t.co/1Pxpc5r4is
— Mike Vrabel (@CoachVrabel50) April 10, 2022
Compton, however, posted a flashback in November 2022 — a video involving a team meeting with the Titans.
But the clip comes with a twist: A Vrabel impersonator…himself. Compton adds that the video “eventually led to two divisional titles and a trip to the AFC title game versus the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2019 season (NSFW Disclaimer).”
Oh wow.
This is leaked footage of the team meeting back in 2018 with Tennessee Titans HC Mike Vrabel that eventually led to 2 divisional titles and an AFC Championship birth in 2019. pic.twitter.com/8pQu1AQUkB
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) November 3, 2022
Vrabel, however, got him back in February 2023 by throwing shade at Compton involving the Washington Commanders.
@_willcompton congrats! After a gap year, the journey to Year 10 continues. pic.twitter.com/7yOuhNJ6Y8
— Mike Vrabel (@CoachVrabel50) February 24, 2023
Compton, however, took the ribbing in stride.
Vrabel Reveals Who He Can Beat in a Fight and Who He’d Lose To
While Vrabel was taking joking swipes at Compton, he then answered who else he would beat in a fight…but added who he’d lose to.
The now sixth-year head coach of the Titans was asked during the podcast if he could beat one other head coach who preaches toughness in a fight in Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
“Sure, I think I can beat anybody in a [expletive] fight,” Vrabel said.
But then came his honesty on who he thinks he’ll lose to.
“Except for, like, Jeff Simmons,” Vrabel said, which drew more laughs.
The head coach and Super Bowl-winning linebacker/part-time tight end for the New England Patriots is referring to his defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, the interior defender who’s produced 16 sacks in his string of Pro Bowl runs the last two seasons.
The entire interview with Vrabel can be watched here.