Is Titans’ Callahan making right choice to keep play-calling responsibilities?
The Tennessee Titans, much like other NFL franchises, are always under the microscope when it comes to making decisions that could shape the future of their team. One such decision currently facing the Titans revolves around Tim Callahan, the team’s offensive coordinator. After taking on the role last season, Callahan has been faced with the responsibility of not only managing the offense but also calling the plays during games. As with any major decision in the NFL, there has been plenty of debate about whether Callahan is making the right choice by continuing to handle the play-calling duties. While the results have been mixed, the future success of the Titans may depend heavily on this decision.
To determine whether Callahan is making the right choice, we need to delve into several factors: his track record, the performance of the Titans’ offense, the intricacies of his play-calling style, and the broader context of NFL offenses in general. We also need to examine the nature of the team itself—how the Titans are constructed and what kind of offense they have typically run. In doing so, we can determine if Callahan is setting the offense up for success or if his choice to continue calling plays could become a hindrance to the team’s overall progress.
Callahan’s Background: The Rise of a Trusted Coach
Before diving into the question of whether Callahan should be calling the plays, it’s important to take a closer look at his background and why he was given such an influential role. Callahan’s path to offensive coordinator has been one built on years of experience and a strong coaching pedigree. Having spent time as both a quarterbacks coach and a positional coach at several stops in his career, Callahan understands the intricacies of offensive football. His expertise with quarterbacks, in particular, has made him a strong fit for a team like the Titans, where the development of the position has been central to their hopes of future success.
What makes Callahan’s position unique is the fact that the Titans’ offense has traditionally been run-heavy. With players like Derrick Henry, one of the NFL’s most dominant running backs, Tennessee’s offensive scheme has largely been built around a power running game. This offensive identity has dictated much of the Titans’ play-calling philosophy, and Callahan has inherited that framework.
While the Titans have typically leaned on the run game, Callahan’s background gives him the ability to add variety and balance to the offense. In the past, when the Titans’ offense has struggled, it has often been because the passing game has lacked consistency or explosiveness. With Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, the Titans have had a solid but not necessarily dynamic passing attack. As a result, much of the offensive responsibility has fallen on Henry’s shoulders, but a more complete offensive game plan is necessary for the Titans to remain competitive in the ever-evolving NFL landscape.
Offensive Performance Under Callahan’s Leadership
One of the key arguments in favor of Callahan continuing to call the plays is the performance of the offense under his leadership. The Titans have shown flashes of offensive brilliance, and there have been periods where their offensive efficiency was among the best in the league. Despite the challenges of operating under a predominantly run-first offense, Callahan has been able to effectively integrate the pass with the run, finding ways to stretch the defense and create opportunities in the passing game.
Derrick Henry, as expected, remains the centerpiece of the offense. His combination of size, speed, and power has kept opposing defenses on their heels. However, the question remains: Is Henry enough to sustain offensive production year in and year out? The answer is no. As the NFL continues to evolve and defensive strategies become more sophisticated, the Titans must find ways to diversify their offense in order to remain relevant.
Callahan has had the difficult task of balancing these different elements. On one hand, keeping Henry involved and continuing to rely on the run game is the cornerstone of the team’s offensive identity. On the other hand, Callahan needs to open up the offense and maximize the potential of the passing game to keep opposing defenses honest and avoid becoming too predictable. In this regard, Callahan has shown improvement, particularly in his ability to design more creative passing concepts that allow Tannehill to thrive in the short-to-intermediate range.
However, there have been stretches where the offense has stagnated, and much of that has been attributed to play-calling that either becomes too predictable or too conservative. The Titans’ reliance on Henry can sometimes lead to a lack of creativity in key situations, and this is where the Titans’ play-calling under Callahan has drawn criticism.
In some high-leverage moments, the Titans have been unable to execute when needed most. Whether it’s a key third-and-long or a critical red-zone possession, Callahan has faced criticism for being too predictable or too reliant on the running game. These moments often determine the outcome of games, and the inconsistency of the Titans’ offense during crucial situations has raised doubts about Callahan’s ability to consistently make the right calls at the right times.
The Challenges of Play-Calling in Today’s NFL
To fully understand whether Callahan is making the right decision by continuing to call plays, it’s essential to examine the broader context of modern NFL offenses. The NFL has shifted dramatically over the past decade, with an increasing emphasis on high-powered, pass-heavy offenses. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Chargers have redefined how offenses operate, with a focus on spreading the field, quick passing, and dynamic playmaking at the quarterback position. These teams rely on quarterbacks who are not only capable passers but also able to make quick decisions and read complex defenses.
In contrast, the Titans have maintained a more traditional approach, relying heavily on their offensive line to create running lanes for Henry. While this approach can work effectively in certain circumstances, it also comes with limitations. The Titans are often put in a situation where they need to adapt quickly to changing game conditions or adjust to a defense that is geared to stop the run. The question is whether Callahan can develop a more balanced offensive attack without abandoning the team’s identity.
One of the key challenges Callahan faces is the balancing act between staying true to the team’s physical, smash-mouth style and adapting to the league’s shift toward more diverse, high-scoring offenses. The Titans need to be able to operate as a well-rounded team—one that can win games with a dominant running game, but also be dynamic enough in the passing game to compete with the league’s best offenses.
In this sense, the Titans’ offense under Callahan needs to evolve. If Callahan can successfully marry the running game with more explosive passing concepts—while still maintaining the team’s physical identity—the Titans could become one of the more dangerous offensive units in the NFL. But that’s no easy task, and it requires innovative play-calling and constant adaptation to new trends and defensive strategies.
The Future of Play-Calling in Tennessee
As the 2025 season approaches, the Titans’ offensive philosophy and Callahan’s role as play-caller will be under close scrutiny. Callahan has the benefit of having a strong understanding of the offense’s identity and how to work within its limitations. However, as the Titans’ quarterback situation becomes more fluid and they continue to evaluate their options for the future, Callahan will need to demonstrate that he can adjust and call plays that can take advantage of more than just the running game.
One key aspect of this will be how Callahan incorporates Tannehill into the game plan. While Tannehill may not be the most dynamic quarterback in the league, he has shown that he can operate efficiently within a well-structured system. If Callahan can continue to evolve the offense to make use of Tannehill’s strengths—such as his play-action ability, deep ball accuracy, and decision-making—then the Titans’ offense can remain competitive even as they shift toward a more pass-heavy philosophy.
In addition, Malik Willis, who is seen as the potential quarterback of the future for the Titans, will likely play a larger role in the coming years. Callahan will need to adjust his play-calling to maximize Willis’ mobility and playmaking ability, incorporating more designed quarterback runs, bootlegs, and rollouts to capitalize on his strengths.
