A deal is near for the Titans to hire coach Brian Callahan, according to sources.
League sources told Adam Schefter on Monday night that the Tennessee Titans are trying to finalize an agreement with Cincinnati Bengals offensive assistant Brian Callahan to hire him as their next head coach.
In place of Mike Vrabel, Callahan became the sixth coach within the history of the Titans franchise to be dismissed following the conclusion of the regular season.
Callahan debuted in the National Football League in 2010 as an offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos.
During his five-year tenure as offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, Callahan was instrumental in establishing an offense that propelled the club to two AFC North division titles and a 2021 Super Bowl appearance.
In the NFL, the Bengals ranked eighth in passing yards (265.0), fifth in points per game (26.1), and eighth in overall length (360.5 per game). Additionally, in 2022, the Bengals ranked fourth within the NFL in terms of offensive DVOA.
“He establishes the entire offensive structure,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said in Callahan. “He has contributed to the formation of every position we hold.” His contributions are invaluable. “There are not enough positive things to say about him.”
Vrabel was terminated by Titans’ main owner Amy Adams Strunk following consecutive seasons of defeat. Since he arrived in 2018, Vrabel has guided Tennessee to five consecutive winning seasons.
The Titans, who began the 2022 season with a 7-3 record, lost 13 of their subsequent 18 games, which includes a seven-game losing streak.
Ran Carthon, the general manager appointed by Adams Strunk, presided over the committee that made the final determination to employ Callahan.
Coaching assistant, offense quality control coach, and offensive assistant were some of the positions he held before 2015 if Peyton Manning led the Denver Broncos to victory in the Super Bowl.
Callahan possesses considerable expertise in collaborating with elite quarterbacks, having served as the quarterbacks coach for the Detroit Lions in 2016 and 2017.
During that time, Callahan mentored Matthew Stafford, who led the team in passing yards with over 4,000 each year.
In 2018, Callahan maintained the same position with the Oakland Raiders, assisting quarterback Derek Carr in accumulating 4,000 passing yards, a milestone that he first achieved in his professional career. He will now collaborate with Will Levis, a second-year quarterback.
A team source informed The Athletic that the Tennessee Titans are nearing completion of an agreement with Brian Callahan as the team’s next head coach.
Callahan, who served as the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals for the previous five years, joins the Titans.
On Monday, Callahan arrived in Nashville for a second interview, and before his departure, the Titans, who viewed him as their primary coaching target, ensured that an agreement had been reached.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Monday that the Tennessee Titans are nearing completion of an agreement to employ offensive assistant Brian Callahan of the Cincinnati Bengals.
On Monday, Callahan participated in his second interview regarding the Titans, which went well. He will assume the role of the franchise’s sixth head coach after its relocation to Tennessee.
Mike Vrabel, who was terminated after six seasons as a member of the Titans, will be replaced by Callahan. They failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive year with a 6-11 record.
In part due to how Vrabel’s departure was handled, the Titans’ job opening was not among the most sought-after during this hiring cycle, according to sources who spoke with Jori Epstein or Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports.
The Panthers, meanwhile, announced Dan Morgan’s appointment as general manager/president of football operations on Monday. Since 2021, former Panthers linebacker Morgan has held the position of assistant general manager.
Reportedly, the Eagles will conduct their end-of-season news conference on Monday as well, featuring general manager Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni.
Sirianni’s return for the 2024 season is presumed to be confirmed, albeit with a modified staff.