The NFL is good at setting up interesting matchups, especially for the start of the season.
Brian Callahan will begin his role as the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans this Sunday, facing off against the Bears in Chicago—his hometown team that he grew up supporting along with other local sports teams.
“It’s a great place, and it’s a great sports town too on top of it,” Callahan said Wednesday. “So cool moment to be able to go open up my head coaching career in Chicago. Fitting.”
Callahan’s father, Bill, who grew up on the South Side, took him to White Sox games at the old Comiskey Park and is still a devoted fan. His mother is from the North Side, and her sister still lives in Chicago. Callahan described his family as a “tried and true” Chicago family.
On Sunday, there will be no difficulty in deciding who to cheer for. His father is now coaching the Titans’ offensive line as part of the team helping Callahan make his mark in the NFL. With the break between the third preseason game, Callahan has had time to focus on preparing for this game.
“I’ve had a blast,” Callahan said. “There’s been a lot of enthusiasm, I think, from everybody in our building, getting ready for the game. But that part’s been … I feel comfortable, back at home, game-planning again. So that’s exciting.”
Callahan was hired in January to take over from Mike Vrabel after five years as the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati.
He has been applying everything he learned while working with Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor. He has also had the entire offseason, training camp, walkthroughs, and three preseason games to get ready for what will be different on game day.
Instead of being in the coaching box, Callahan will be on the field and relying on his assistants upstairs to help him call plays.
It has been an adjustment.
“I’ve been on the field probably four or five times in 15 years,” Callahan said. “So, it’s different. I get scared of the gunners. Those are the ones I got to make sure I’m … paying attention.
That’s the new thing for me, is that I can’t turn my back to the field or walk. So, I’m always very alert on punts. But yeah, it’s been an adjustment for me. It’s gone well and been smooth. But, seeing the defense on the field is different, much different than the box.”
Callahan was hired to improve one of the NFL’s least effective offenses in 2023. The Titans were 28th in total yards per game and 29th with 180.4 passing yards per game. His general manager brought in a lot of talent to help quarterback Will Levis, who was the 33rd pick overall from Kentucky in 2023.
Levis went 3-6 as a rookie, starting on October 29 when Ryan Tannehill got hurt. He threw for 1,808 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions while being sacked 28 times.
It’s challenging for a young quarterback to learn a new offense, but Callahan’s system is similar to what Levis used in college. They have also developed a strong connection.
“I understand how he wants to call the plays and what tempo and what we’re just trying to get done from a play-calling standpoint yeah. And his voice is pretty soothing. So it’s good to hear it in the ear,” Levis said with a smile.
Callahan’s reputation helped attract veteran wide receiver Tyler Boyd to Tennessee. Boyd saw Callahan work with Jake Browning after Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury last year and is excited to see what the Titans do with Callahan in charge.
“I think him doing that just showed the league that he could kind of do that with any quarterback,” Boyd said.
