Everything you need to know about Tennessee parting ways with Callahan, including what’s next, intel on draft and trade considerations and more.
— When the Tennessee Titans hired Brian Callahan to be their coach last year, there was a belief that he would help modernize the offense and turn the franchise around, but that didn’t happen, and on Monday, Tennessee fired Callahan six games into the season.
The Titans hired the former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator in January 2024 in hopes of history repeating itself with his track record with quarterbacks. Callahan worked with the likes of Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford, Derek Carr and, most recently, Joe Burrow. Stafford, Manning and Burrow all led their teams to Super Bowls, with Manning and Stafford taking home Vince Lombardi Trophies.
Callahan finished with a 3-14 record in his first season with second-year quarterback Will Levis — who passed for 2,091 yards to go along with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in an injury-plagued first year as the Day 1 starter. The coach was brought in before the 2024 season to help develop Levis, but that fell short.
As a result, the Titans were awarded the No. 1 pick and drafted current starter Cam Ward, but even that got off to a rocky start. After going 0-4, the Titans got their first win this season — an improbable 22-21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. But that seemed to have bought Callahan only an extra week. After a 4-19 record with Tennessee, that hope has fizzled.
Now the Titans are once again in search of their next coach with their previous one, Mike Vrabel, coming to town leading the 4-2 New England Patriots.
Our experts weighed in on what could be up next for the Titans and what to make of the move:
The Titans have parted ways with two head coaches and two general managers in four straight seasons.
Entering this season, the future looked bright with Ward leading the way after setting the NCAA career touchdown passing record with 156 at Miami. But Ward has gotten off to a slow start, having only completed 55% of his passes for 1,101 passing yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. Now the organization has to pick up the pieces.
General manager Mike Borgonzi and president of football operations Chad Brinker have to find someone who can get things back on track as the franchise is starving for positive momentum leading up to February 2027, when the new stadium is set to open.
