The Tennessee Titans dismissed head coach Brian Callahan after a Week 6 loss. General manager Mike Borgonzi will officially launch the search for Callahan's successor this week. Despite that, the failed head coach still managed to make a negative impact on the team in Sunday's Week 18 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Rookie quarterback Cam Ward injured his shoulder on a seven-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The Titans are still awaiting information on the severity of a reported AC joint sprain. Ward was replaced by veteran backup Brandon Allen.
It was Coach Callahan who preferred Allen to be the Titans' backup quarterback. Ward had taken every snap of the 2025 season prior to Sunday's shoulder injury. Allen entered the lineup and performed terribly.
Titans fans suffered through the Brandon Allen experience in Week 18
Callahan had previously coached Allen with the Cincinnati Bengals. Their connection is precisely why the Titans pursued Allen in free agency last offseason. The nine-year veteran quarterback was viewed as the ideal No. 2 to help Ward learn the offense.
Allen was downright abysmal versus the Jaguars. He completed 17-of-30 passing attempts for 72 yards, zero touchdowns, and a pick-six interception. Allen averaged an unheard of 2.4 yards per attempt.
Allen was on a one-year contract in Tennessee. With Callahan no longer coaching the Titans, it's a foregone conclusion that his hand-picked backup quarterback won't be back with the team in 2026. Borgonzi will be tasked with finding a new No. 2 signal caller this offseason.
With Ward entering his sophomore year, the Titans will probably prefer to go the experienced route behind him. Some of the options currently slated to hit free agency could include Tyrod Taylor, Teddy Bridgewater, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Jimmy Garoppolo. Allen was with the Titans because of Callahan, and neither party will return next season.