The Tennessee Titans desperately needed to go in a different direction with their new head coach after firing Mike Vrabel — and they did just that with the hire of Brian Callahan.
With Callahan, the Titans are going from a defensive-minded coach who was stuck in an older era of football to one who completely embraces the modern NFL.
Just look at this quote from 2023 in which Callahan talks about the importance of the passing game.
“The teams that win the most games are generally the teams that pass the ball the best,” Callahan said (H/T Mike Herndon and Paul Kuharsky). “Usually because they have really good quarterbacks and usually because they have guys that can make plays on the football outside. And so you’re seeing teams invest in that part of the game, really across the board.
“And we’re no different. We spent really two top 35 picks on receivers (Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins) and on a quarterback (Joe Burrow), so we’ve invested in it as well. I do think that that’s the shift in the league these days. The passing game has become the focal point. However, that does leave you opportunities to be really effective and efficient running the football because defenses do the same thing.”
On top of his philosophy being exactly what the Titans needed, Callahan has a ton of experience working with — and having success with — both young and older quarterbacks, thus he should be a great asset for Will Levis.
Callahan has never called plays before, but he will be doing that in Nashville. That’s great news because the Titans won’t have their play-caller poached if the offense has a good season, which ensures stability for Levis.
It remains to be seen if all this translates to sustained success for Levis and the Titans, but there’s no question they checked all the boxes they needed to with the hire of Callahan.
Grade: A
