The Tennessee Titans were not good last year; that is not debatable. The defense was decent at times and actually ranked second in the NFL in yards allowed per game with 311.2. However, that stat may be misleading because they ranked 30th in scoring defense, allowing 27.1 PPG.
The offense-- which was supposed to be the specialty of head coach Brian Callahan-- was flat-out hard to watch at times. The team averaged only 304.2 YPG and 18.3 PPG, ranking 26th and 27th respectively, and turned the ball over 34 times (tied for league-worst).
While 2024 was unquestionably a bad year, who (or what) bears the most responsibility for the three-win season is uncertain. Obviously, the success or failure of any NFL team is the combined result of many individuals and factors, but most of the time, the ultimate responsibility goes to the head coach. The Titans' brass seemed to believe the front office was more responsible for the disastrous season, as they fired Ran Carthon and replaced him with Mike Borgonzi (or maybe Chad Brinker? Reports vary as to who is actually in charge).
The media largely seemed to blame Will Levis, and now Cam Ward is set to take over under center.
Either way, the head coach seemed to escape last year largely unscathed, although he is certainly not blameless. This year, Callahan has a new GM who has done a good job of putting together new pieces for a rebuilding team, and a new QB, one who was hand-selected by the team with the first pick in the draft. If 2025 does not bring marked improvement for the franchise, it feels like most of the fingers will point straight at Callahan.
Why you should believe in Brian Callahan
Frankly, there is very little to take from Callahan's first season as a head coach that strengthens his case. The offense was more modern and the play-calling was more creative than we had seen in recent years, but this did not translate to on-field success. Perhaps this was because of a turnover-happy quarterback, a bad offensive line, or an underwhelming group of skill position players.
Callahan should have fewer excuses this season. The quarterback and line have undeniably been upgraded this offseason, and the rookie pass-catchers are promising.
But most of the reason for optimism with this head coach still come from pedigree, endorsements (particularly from one Tennessee football legend), and accomplishments before he was a head coach. As offensive coordinator, Callahan is credited for much of the growth Joe Burrow displayed that led the Bengals to being a true contender. Play-calling duties may have been Zac Taylor's, but most agree that Callahan was instrumental in offensive game planning and player development.
Before his stint in Cwas the quarterbacks coach for the Raiders (2018) and Lions (2016-17), helping Derek Carr and Matthew Stafford each to 4,000 plus yard passing seasons. From 2010 to 2015, he served in a variety of offensive assistant roles for the Broncos during Peyton Manning's record-breaking seasons, two Super Bowl appearances, and one championship.
Why you should be concerned about Brian Callahan
While one could argue that Callahan has a track record of success with developing quarterbacks and coaching offenses, the other side of that argument feels just as plausible. While Manning has offered nothing but glowing reviews of Callahan from their time in Denver, his roles on those great teams were relatively small: ranging from quality control coach to offensive assistant.
Manning, Carr, and Stafford were all established as great passers prior to Callahan's arrival. Neither had career years under his tutelage. The Bengals seem to have gotten worse without Callahan, but that could be due to any number of factors, and Burrow isn't to blame.
Then there are the results of last season. Make no mistake, it is much more difficult to judge the performance of a coach than a player, as most of a coach's work occurs behind the scenes. However, there are some metrics and factors we can use to get an idea of how a coach is performing.
The Titans committed 132 penalties last year (tied for second-worst), indicating a lack of discipline. The team was terrible in kick coverage last year, indicating a lack of identity and toughness. And the aforementioned offensive and turnover numbers do not offer a glowing picture of success for an offensive-minded head coach.
Will Brian Callahan be back after this season?
What a successful 2025 looks like for the Titans is difficult to define. More wins and fewer blowout losses are a requirement, but there is no exact win threshold that would guarantee Callahan's return. The offense must perform better, but how much should be expected of a rookie quarterback? A more disciplined team must also commit fewer penalties and turnovers.
Then there is the troubling trend that has emerged with Titans ownership recently. Each of the past three seasons, the team has alternated firing general managers and coaches. Jon Robinson was fired after AJ Brown's Eagles lit up the Titans in 2022; Mike Vrabel was fired after a disappointing season in 2023; Ran Carthon was fired following an even more disappointing 2024.
Owner Amy Adams Strunk wants to take a more patient approach, but we all know whose turn it could be if 2025 doesn't go well.