In a shocking move that has sent ripples through the NFL, the Tennessee Titans have fired head coach Brian Callahan just six games into his second season. But here's where it gets controversial... Was this decision justified, or did the Titans act too hastily? Let’s dive into the details and uncover the story behind this abrupt dismissal.
After a dismal 1-5 start to the 2025 season, the Titans’ front office decided enough was enough. Callahan, who took the helm in 2024, amassed a 4-19 record during his tenure—a far cry from the success the team had hoped for. On Monday, General Manager Mike Borgonzi and President of Football Operations Chad Brinker delivered the news to Callahan, with owner Amy Adams Strunk also reaching out, according to league sources. An interim coach has yet to be named, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering about the team’s next steps.
And this is the part most people miss... Callahan’s struggles weren’t just about wins and losses; they were marked by questionable decisions that left many scratching their heads. For instance, in the season opener against the Denver Broncos, Callahan failed to challenge a crucial 23-yard catch by rookie wide receiver Elic Ayomanor, mistakenly believing that an elbow down didn’t qualify as a catch under NFL rules. The Titans punted shortly after and lost the game by eight points. Callahan later admitted his error, but the damage was done.
The woes didn’t end there. In Week 3, during a blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Titans botched a 57-yard field goal attempt due to a delay of game penalty—despite both teams having called timeouts. The resulting 62-yard attempt was blocked, and the Colts capitalized with a field goal of their own. After this debacle, Callahan relinquished play-calling duties to quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree. However, the move backfired spectacularly, as the Titans were shut out 26-0 by the Houston Texans in their next game, handing the Texans their first win of the season.
Here’s the kicker... Despite drafting quarterback Cam Ward as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Titans’ offense has been abysmal, scoring more than 20 points just once. Even that game, a Week 5 win over the Arizona Cardinals, featured a bizarre touchdown when Ward’s interception was fumbled and recovered by Tennessee. Callahan’s final game, a 20-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, saw the offense muster only 225 yards—a fitting end to a troubled tenure.
Callahan’s hiring in 2024 raised eyebrows, as it came on the heels of the Titans’ surprising split with Mike Vrabel. Vrabel had led the team to two division titles and three playoff appearances, including a conference championship game in 2019, and was named NFL Coach of the Year in 2021. However, growing tensions with ownership led to his dismissal after back-to-back losing seasons (7-10 and 6-11). Callahan, who had served as the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2023, brought a pedigree that included being the son of longtime NFL assistant and former Raiders head coach Bill Callahan. Yet, his time in Tennessee never lived up to expectations.
Now, the big question remains: Did the Titans make the right call, or did they pull the trigger too soon? With Callahan’s departure, the team faces an uncertain future. Will the next coach be able to turn things around, or is this just the beginning of a deeper rebuild? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark passionate opinions on both sides.
