In an uncertain future, Titans’ Brian Callahan explains his objective.

The Tennessee Titans have been one of the more enigmatic teams in the NFL in recent seasons. While they have enjoyed occasional flashes of brilliance, they have also struggled with consistency, leaving their future uncertain. Amidst the chaos of a changing league, one figure who has been called upon to help lead the team to stability and success is Brian Callahan, the Titans’ newly appointed offensive coordinator. With an NFL career steeped in coaching experience and a clear vision for what the Titans can become, Callahan has the daunting task of improving an offense that has seen its fair share of struggles in recent seasons. In an exclusive interview, Callahan opens up about his objectives, the challenges ahead, and how he plans to turn things around for the Titans.

Callahan’s Journey to the Titans: A Glimpse at His Coaching Path

Before diving into the specifics of his objectives with the Titans, it’s important to understand where Callahan’s journey began and how he arrived in Tennessee. Known for his football pedigree and sharp offensive mind, Callahan’s path to becoming an NFL offensive coordinator is a story of dedication and hard work.

Callahan, the son of former NFL coach Bill Callahan, began his coaching career as a quality control coach for the Denver Broncos. His sharp understanding of the game quickly caught the attention of coaching staff, leading him to become the quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders. This position allowed him to develop a reputation for his work with quarterbacks and offensive systems.

Most recently, Callahan spent several years with the Cincinnati Bengals, first as the quarterbacks coach and later as the offensive coordinator. It was in Cincinnati that Callahan truly flourished, playing a pivotal role in the development of Joe Burrow and transforming the Bengals into one of the more dangerous offenses in the league. His work with Burrow and the offensive staff contributed to Cincinnati’s high-flying attack that reached the Super Bowl in 2022 and made the playoffs in 2023. It was clear that Callahan had become one of the top offensive minds in the league, and his success in Cincinnati eventually led to his hiring as the Titans’ offensive coordinator in 2024.

With the Titans facing an uncertain future and a need for offensive rejuvenation, Callahan’s arrival was met with optimism. Titans fans hoped that Callahan’s strategic vision and ability to develop quarterbacks could breathe new life into a team that had struggled to consistently put up points, especially in recent seasons.

The State of the Titans’ Offense: Challenges Ahead

Before explaining Callahan’s objectives for the team, it’s important to outline the state of the Titans’ offense as it stands. Despite a few promising years with head coach Mike Vrabel, the Titans have found themselves stagnant offensively in recent seasons. Much of the team’s success in recent years has been built on the shoulders of star running back Derrick Henry, whose power and ability to break tackles have made him one of the most feared players in the NFL.

However, the Titans’ offense has been largely predictable, relying heavily on Henry’s dominant rushing attack and play-action passing. Ryan Tannehill, a veteran quarterback with his own set of strengths, has often been inconsistent and has struggled with injuries, limiting the team’s ability to fully capitalize on opportunities. With Tannehill now in the latter part of his career, the Titans find themselves at a crossroads in terms of their quarterback situation.

The lack of a dynamic, high-flying passing game has also been a source of concern. Despite having talented wide receivers like Trey Phelps and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, the Titans have struggled to find the right balance between the run and the pass. As a result, their offense often feels predictable and easy to stop for opposing defenses that have learned to key in on Henry.

These struggles were particularly evident in 2024 when the Titans failed to score consistently against quality opponents. While their defense remained a strong point, the offense couldn’t keep pace, often leading to frustrating losses. With Callahan taking over the reins as offensive coordinator, it’s clear that the team’s future success depends heavily on improving in these key areas.

Callahan’s Objective: Revamping the Titans’ Offense

So, what exactly are Brian Callahan’s objectives as he begins his tenure with the Titans? In his interview, Callahan spoke candidly about the challenges ahead and the overarching goals that he has set for the offense. He emphasized a clear desire to establish an identity that can evolve with the modern NFL and remain unpredictable to opponents.

1. Developing a Dynamic Passing Attack

One of the primary objectives Callahan outlined is the need to develop a dynamic passing attack that complements Derrick Henry’s power running. The Titans’ offense has been far too reliant on the running game and has failed to develop a passing game that can stretch defenses and create opportunities for big plays.

“At the end of the day, the passing game is where we need to improve the most,” Callahan said. “We have talented receivers and a quarterback who can make all the throws, but we need to find a way to make our offense more unpredictable and balanced. This means getting creative with play designs and making sure we keep defenses on their toes.”

For Callahan, this means tailoring the offense to be more versatile, mixing up play-action and spread formations, and using the passing game to open up space for the running game. By focusing on a more balanced offensive attack, Callahan hopes to keep defenses honest and prevent them from keying in solely on Derrick Henry.

The development of Will Levis, a promising rookie quarterback from the 2024 draft class, could also play a significant role in the Titans’ passing game evolution. Callahan is excited about working with Levis and believes his strong arm and ability to make quick decisions can bring an added dimension to the offense.

“Will has a ton of potential,” Callahan explained. “He has all the physical tools you want in a quarterback, and he’s someone who is eager to learn. With the right development and trust, I believe he can be a major factor for us going forward.”

2. Maximizing Ryan Tannehill’s Last Few Years

Although the Titans have begun to look toward the future with Levis, Callahan is also keenly aware that Tannehill’s veteran leadership is invaluable for the team, particularly in the short term. While Tannehill may not have the same level of mobility or arm strength as some of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, he has a wealth of experience and an understanding of what it takes to run an offense in the NFL.

For Callahan, one of his main objectives will be finding ways to maximize Tannehill’s strengths while minimizing his weaknesses. This means continuing to lean on his ability to make quick, accurate throws in the short and intermediate range while using play-action and rollouts to create more open passing lanes.

“I think Ryan still has a lot to offer,” Callahan said. “We’ve seen what he can do when he’s given the right situation. We need to put him in a position to succeed, and that’s one of my biggest objectives. He has the knowledge and the poise to lead this offense, and I’m excited to work with him.”

3. Implementing a Modernized Offensive Scheme

Another key objective for Callahan is to implement a more modern, diverse offensive scheme. While the Titans have relied heavily on a power-running attack in recent seasons, Callahan knows that the NFL is becoming more fast-paced and pass-heavy, with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills showing how explosive offenses can dominate games.

“I think the league is trending towards speed and versatility, and I want our offense to reflect that,” Callahan explained. “We’ll keep elements of the power running game because it’s a foundation we can lean on, but we need to expand beyond that. We want to build an offense that can attack in multiple ways.”

This could mean incorporating more spread concepts, utilizing the speed of receivers like Phelps and Kyle Philips, and moving away from being overly predictable. Callahan is adamant that the Titans’ offense needs to adapt and evolve in order to compete with the best teams in the league.

4. Investing in Player Development

A critical aspect of Callahan’s philosophy is investing in player development, particularly at key skill positions. From quarterbacks to wide receivers to offensive linemen, Callahan understands that the key to sustained success is improving each individual player’s skills and ensuring they are always learning and adapting.

“We have a lot of young, talented players, and my job is to make sure they’re growing and improving,” Callahan said. “If we can maximize their potential, that’s how we can be successful as a team. It’s not just about X’s and O’s— it’s about helping the guys on the field understand what they’re doing and why they’re doing it.”

Callahan has already begun working closely with the Titans’ wide receivers and quarterbacks, emphasizing the importance of route running, timing, and anticipation. His experience in developing quarterbacks, particularly in Cincinnati with Joe Burrow, makes him well-suited to coach up the Titans’ young talent.