Learn how the Titans performed under HC Brian Callahan, and what Tennessee has looked like up to this point. We’ll also discuss the Interim Head Coach and Offensive/Defensive Coordinators.
Our first head coach firing of the 2025 season comes in the form of Brian Callahan. His second year as a Titan closes after a 1-5 start, and finishes 4-19 during his tenure. While one can make the argument this was inevitable, Tennessee is in a notable rebuild. Not every rookie QB can pull a ‘Jayden Daniels’, nor should they be expected to. Then again, not every head coach delegates playcalling to the QB Coach. (Bo Hardegree in this case.) While Callahan obviously didn’t have many highlights in his time, I want to shed some light as well as dark into the current Titans’ team.
Callahan leaves the team for Interim Head Coach Mike McCoy to take over. A former head coach for the Chargers; McCoy has spent time in the NFL since 2000, contributing offensively in his entire tenure. Three clear downsides stand out for the new head coach however. #1: He hasn’t been a head coach since 2016, with his last winning season coming in 14’. #2: His NFL head coaching career resumes with a 27-37 record. #3: Going from Phillip Rivers to a rookie during a rebuild will give anyone whiplash. Of course, one can say he’s been given a new start. He’s remained in the league this entire time in various positions after all. Clearly, something is impressive enough to be hired by four more teams after his HC job. And he was already entering this year as a senior advisor for Tennessee! Thus, familiarity with the team is not an issue. So, let’s get into what’s in store for him. Especially as Week 7 will be an immediate test against a red hot, exciting Patriots’ team with…Mike Vrabel as their coach. Yeesh.
Starting with the shadows are some clear disappointments. After a Week 6 loss to Vegas; the Titans are on pace for a point differential of -221. This would be the franchise’s worst since the Houston Oilers in 1973. It comes as no surprise to a team with six offensive touchdowns who have faced three likely playoff teams. Of these six TDs, one was originally a Cam Ward turnover, while the other five were all from less than ten yards away. Speaking of Cam Ward, the #1 overall pick currently has a .75 TD/INT ratio, along with four fumbles. He averages 189.5 scrimmage yards per game and has compiled a QBR of 19.8 thus far. Serving as a cause and effect, the receivers have seen better days. Calvin Ridley leads the team with 48 receiving yards per game, while Chig Okonkwo has the most catches per contest with 3.8. Ridley’s yardage qualifies him for 41st in the league despite being the team’s WR1, while Okonkwo’s 23 catches rank him 43rd. (Both stats consider all NFL skill players.) For reference, Okonkwo shares the same receptions as Kendrick Bourne, David Njoku, and a past-his-prime Cooper Kupp. Ward unfortunately cannot take credit for “stealing any yards” as he’s only ran for 36. His three touchdowns go to Elic Ayomanor and David Martin-Robinson, whose stat lines combine to 18-197-3 unfortunately.
Nick Holz stands as the Offensive Coordinator in his second year, spending previous time in Oakland alongside Derek Carr to a lesser degree. Before coming to Tennessee, Holz served as the passing game coordinator for Trevor Lawrence in 2023. A promising year for Lawrence after a great sophomore season, 2023 turned out to be a step down. His TD/INT ratio went from 25/8 in 2022, to 21/14 with Holz present the following year. 2024 and 2025 are Holz’ first two seasons as an OC in the NFL. While Will Levis and a rookie aren’t two great QBs to start with, it remains to be seen how the OC could function with proven talent, or what he can make out of Ward. But, it’s worth noting Holz also worked alongside Mike McCoy in that aforementioned 2023 season.
The defense is led by Defensive Coordinator Dennard Wilson. In oddly similar fashion to Holz: Wilson is spending year two in Tennessee, after not previously being a DC at all in his career. Serving as a defensive contributor in the NFL since 2012, it was only a matter of time before Wilson had the chance to prove himself higher. His squad is led by L’Jarius Sneed and Jeffrey Simmons. Veteran safeties Quandre Diggs and Xavier Woods accompany the secondary as well. Working in Baltimore during 2023 before joining Tennessee proves Wilson has some positive influence. The young Kyle Hamilton is easily a top five safety in the league for the Ravens. Harold Landry leaving for New England (yeesh) is a clear absence in the linebacker group, forcibly leaving Cody Barton as the lead man.
Despite the names, there isn’t much to write home about so far. The Titans essentially rank square in the middle of most qualifying defensive categories. But they’re currently bottom five in completion percentage allowed, and bottom ten in sacks. Though Simmons is on pace for 12, nobody else has reached two. The team has also only picked off the opposition four times, while they’ve punted the fifth most in the league. While they’ve been able to hold their own in some capacity, they’ve also lost 26-0 to Houston. In fact, their one win came against Arizona in what was essentially a miracle. A miracle that wouldn’t have started if not for Kyler Murray’s offense, and Emari Demercado pulling a viral rookie-esque mistake.
However, I promise there is light. I’m generally an optimistic person in life, and will thus show what Titans fans can look forward to. Cameron Ward has played six NFL games. Coming into Week 7, McCoy has made a point to simplify the offense for the Miami alumni. Bo Nix didn’t start to find his rhythm last year until October, and Drake Maye needed Mayo gone before the right plays were drawn up for him. A year later, both are starting to look like long-term answers. Is it possible a player just needs the right person around him to succeed? Of course it is. Look at Geno Smith, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, or Daniel Jones. The year was 2022, and all four of those names seemed irrelevant. Now it’s time for the positives.
The offense has a young #1 pick who might finally be given the freedom to do what he wants. Apply what made him succeed in Miami even. As Ashton Jeanty has proven, sticking with your guns can work. (Check out his stance in the backfield; you’ll see what I mean.) His four INTs match Kyler Murray, Dak Prescott, and Bo Nix; meaning we have a wise decision-maker under center. Tony Pollard is on pace for his fourth 1,000 season in a row. He’s also signed to Tennessee through 2027, and is only 28. The three touchdowns caught can be looked at differently too. David Martin-Robinson has one catch this year. Remove his TD from the stat line above, and that is all rookie Elic Ayomanor. I’d be very happy with a fourth round rookie putting up 17-196-2 in six games, on a dysfunctional team pre-Callahan firing. While Free Agency pickup Tyler Lockett only has eight catches, the Titans have become known as the WR graveyard for vets. His purchase was absolutely to help coach the young WR corps. (Perhaps even helping out TEs Okonkwo and rookie Gunnar Helm, who made a name during the preseason.)
While Landry is gone from the defense, Cody Barton still has two picks. *Other* linebacker Cedric Gray is tied for second in tackles across the league. The Titans turnover differential is -1, surprisingly ranking ahead of teams like the Broncos and Ravens. They’re also tied with the Chargers, Packers, and Seahawks. Their five forced fumbles/recoveries are top ten, as well as total takeaways. Even on special teams, Johnny Hekker has proven as one of the most reliable names in the NFL, being top ten in yards per punt. (As you might’ve guessed, they’ve needed him quite a bit.)
According to Spotrac.com, the Titans are currently 10th in available Salary Cap space. And while twelve weeks remain in the season, it’s likely Tennessee will regain some good draft capital. With all of this in mind, who does Tennessee give the role to next? Honestly, that’s a tough call. I could name some coaches who either sit at home or even in the NCAA, but I’d feel more confident telling you what they *won’t do*. We already have our interim HC, but I do not see Dennard Wilson or Nick Holz head coaching this squad. After all, they’re still a factor in Tennessee being 1-5. Would it not make more sense for them to prove themselves a little more first? With Ward’s current performance and the playcalling as it stands, I don’t see Hardegree being green-lit either.
Regardless of what the Titans do, I choose to believe their light sheds their darkness. I choose to believe in the #1 overall pick, very sturdy running back, and plentiful defensive names who aren’t surrendering 35 points a game like the Dallas Cowboys. Should McCoy make Tennessee more functional, perhaps he keeps the gig long-term. Or at the very least, the team might create enough appeal for a bigger name to step into the role. Whatever happens, we can all be happy for Mike Vrabel for moving on. He may not have Derrick Henry or AJ Brown anymore, but at least he hasn’t ended up like Brian Callahan.
Tennessee has some work but if they can keep Cam Ward they will be in a good spot 4-5 years in the future. Gonna be an interesting rebuild for the titans. I bet they wish they had Henry and AJ Brown right about now
Dude had a great skillset, but definitely need a few more guys around him!