Ahead of Week 18, several teams were still in contention to land the top pick in the upcoming draft. The Titans are among them, but securing the No. 1 selection could include notable changes in the organization.
Much of the season was predicated on first-time head coach Brian Callahan‘s ability to lead a rebound on offense for Tennessee. In particular, his work in developing quarterback Will Levis was a central point of focus, but things have not gone according to plan on that front. It remains to be seen if a new potential franchise quarterback will be targeted in the offseason as a result, but general manager Ran Carthon may not be charged with overseeing that effort. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes there is “growing chatter” about Carthon being fired after this season.
Jon Robinson was fired near the end of the 2022 campaign, his seventh at the helm of the Titans. The team sat at 7-5 on the year at that point, and the timing therefore came as a surprise to many. Then-head coach Mike Vrabel was not included in the decision, one which allowed him carry on his role for another season. Amidst indications Carthon and Vrabel were not on the same page, though, the latter was dismissed after the 2023 campaign.
Callahan was hired to take over coaching duties while working with Carthon to oversee Tennessee’s transition to a younger roster. Several veterans on both sides of the ball saw their Titans tenures end in cost-shedding moves in recent years, leaving the new regime with a long-term rebuilding project. Still, Tennessee’s 9-24 record entering Sunday’s action under Carthon leaves plenty to be desired. Attention will thus turn to owner Amy Adams Strunk over the coming days.
Meanwhile, Callahan’s future will remain uncertain until he receives a vote of confidence from ownership. The former Bengals offensive coordinator was the subject of a recent report indicating he should be safe, though, and further signs point in that direction. ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted on this morning’s "NFL Countdown" that Callahan should remain in place for 2025, although that is not certain at this point (video link). Schefter cautions, however, that some in the Titans’ organization are expecting significant changes of some kind in the wake of a disappointing year.
Whether or not that includes moves in the front office or along the sidelines will be interesting to monitor in the immediate future. A number of major roster-building decisions loom this spring for the Titans, but before that the team’s coaching and management staff could see replacements brought in.
Brian Callahan viewed as safe despite 'uneasy' feeling in organization
Titans head coach Brian Callahan is viewed as safe from being fired heading into Week 18 despite unease within the organization.
The Tennessee Titans have been one of the more disappointing teams in the NFL throughout the 2024 season. Expectations were high under first-year head coach Brian Callahan. Unfortunately, the Titans are 3-13 heading into Week 18 and are one of the league's worst teams. This has led to questions about the future of the organization, including its head coach.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan is one of many head coaches on the hot seat heading into Week 18. ESPN's Adam Schefter broke down the coaching carousel before the main slate of games on Sunday.
“It's volatile right now,” Schefter said, talking about the coaching situations in the AFC South. “Tennessee is sitting there with a 3-13 record. They're in contention for the No. 1 overall pick and the owner is not happy about it right now.”
Despite the disappointing 2024 season, Schefter believes that Callahan should keep his job for the 2025 NFL season.
“I think he'll be given more time,” Schefter continued. “But it certainly sounds like the people within the organization are uneasy and bracing for something to happen. It doesn't sound like, right now, that it involves Brian Callahan. But we're going to see what the owner has to say about that. But we're leaning safe [for Callahan] right now.”
Titans fans may feel conflicted about which outcome to root for in Week 18. A loss gives Tennessee a chance at the No. 1 overall pick in April, but it could also lead to Callahan being fired.
