Winning the Super Bowl is the goal for every team heading into a new season, but that isn't the only way to define success in the NFL. First-year Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan recently discussed his vision of success for his debut season in charge.
Tuesday was the first day of training camp for the Titans, and the players hit the practice field for the first time on Wednesday. In the modern NFL, practices have to ramp up before the real action takes place, so all eyes were on Callahan and general manager Ran Carthon as they spoke at the podium for the first time in nearly two months.
At one point, Callahan was asked what would qualify this season as a successful year for the Titans.
"We try not to look too far ahead, but I would like to see an efficient offense that looks like it knows what it's doing," Callahan responded. "I think we're going to be a very competitive football team. To put a number on wins and losses, a lot of that remains to be seen."
Titans HC Brian Callahan defines what success in 2024 looks like to him: pic.twitter.com/0sqaJRa8YF
— Easton Freeze (@eastonfreeze) July 23, 2024
Of course, wins are important, and the defense has goals they want to achieve as outlined by Callahan above, but Callahan's answer should only reinforce what most fans thought about this season.
Before the Titans drafted J.C. Latham, signed Calvin Ridley, and hired Bill Callahan, Nick Holz, Bo Hardegree, or Callahan, owner Amy Adams Strunk emphasized that one of the Titans' biggest assets was quarterback Will Levis.
When you take a step back from the box score and look at what Levis did last season with one starting-caliber receiver, no protection from his offensive line, and a coaching staff whose actions suggested that they believed that the running game was more important than the passing game, it's hard not to be impressed.
But quarterbacks can't develop into franchise quarterbacks if they aren't surrounded by the right coaching and supporting cast. That is why ownership decided to bring in an offensive-minded coaching staff and add top-end talent at wide receiver and across the offensive line.
With Callahan pointing directly to offense when asked about what defines success for the Titans in 2024, it's crystal-clear that Levis' development is taking priority. This season is about building an offense with Levis as the centerpiece, a sustainable offense that will be the new identity of this franchise.
The Titans have a roster with enough talent to compete for the AFC South crown if they can gel quickly. Callahan stopped short of discussing season-long expectations, but was quick to point to an efficient, successful offense.
The message is straightforward.