Brian Callahan Reflects on Time with the Tennessee Titans

As the 2026 NFL offseason unfolds, Brian Callahan pauses to reflect on his first two seasons as head coach of the Tennessee Titans—a tenure marked by rebuilding, growth, and the quiet forging of a foundation around franchise quarterback Cam Ward. When Callahan arrived in Nashville in 2024, the Titans were coming off a 7-10 season, searching for a new identity after the end of the Ryan Tannehill era. Now, with two years under his belt, he looks back on the challenges, victories, and lessons that have shaped his time with the team. Brian Callahan Reflects on Time with the Tennessee Titans offers a firsthand look at his journey—from adapting his offensive philosophy to fit the Titans’ roster, to building trust with veteran stars like Derrick Henry, to navigating the ups and downs of NFL competition. For Callahan, these years haven’t just been about wins and losses; they’ve been about laying the groundwork for a team that can compete for championships for years to come.

Brian Callahan Reflects on Time with the Tennessee Titans begins with his first days on the job, a period he describes as “equal parts exciting and humbling.” Tasked with transitioning the Titans from a run-heavy offense centered on Henry to a more balanced attack that could develop Ward, Callahan knew he needed to earn the trust of both players and fans. “When you take over a team with a legacy like the Titans—one that’s had success with a specific style—it’s not about tearing everything down,” Callahan says. “It’s about evolving it. Derrick was still one of the best running backs in the league, and Cam had the potential to be a franchise QB. My job was to make sure those two could coexist and make each other better.” That meant tweaking his signature offensive scheme—known for its pre-snap motion and play-action passes—to lean into Henry’s downhill running while creating opportunities for Ward to throw to playmakers like DeAndre Hopkins. The early results were mixed: the Titans finished 8-9 in 2024, but Ward showed flashes of brilliance, and Henry rushed for over 1,200 yards. “Those first-year growing pains were necessary,” Callahan reflects. “They taught us what worked, what didn’t, and how to communicate better as a staff and a team.”

Brian Callahan Reflects on Time with the Tennessee Titans continues with the breakthrough of the 2025 season, a year that saw the Titans improve to 9-8 and narrowly miss the playoffs. For Callahan, the turning point came in Week 10, when the Titans erased a 14-point deficit to beat the Buffalo Bills—a game that showcased Ward’s poise under pressure and the offense’s newfound balance. “That game was a moment where everything clicked,” Callahan says. “Cam made three fourth-down throws that kept the drive alive, Derrick had a 30-yard run to set up the winning touchdown, and the defense stepped up when we needed them. It felt like we’d finally become the team we’d been working to be.” The season also marked a deeper bond between Callahan and Ward, whom the coach worked with daily on film study and decision-making. “Cam’s growth wasn’t just physical—it was mental,” Callahan explains. “By the end of the season, he was reading defenses faster, adjusting plays at the line, and leading the huddle with confidence. That’s the sign of a quarterback who’s starting to understand what it takes to win in this league.” For Callahan, watching Ward develop was one of the most rewarding parts of the season: “You don’t get into coaching to just draw up plays. You get into it to help young players reach their potential, and Cam did that in spades.”

Brian Callahan Reflects on Time with the Tennessee Titans shifts to his relationship with Henry, a veteran whose role evolved during Callahan’s tenure. When Callahan arrived, there were questions about whether Henry—then 30—could still be the centerpiece of the offense while sharing touches with a young quarterback. Callahan made it a priority to involve Henry in the process, meeting with him weekly to discuss his role and how the offense could highlight his strengths. “Derrick is more than just a running back—he’s a leader,” Callahan says. “I wanted him to feel like he was part of the solution, not just a piece of the puzzle. We talked about how play-action passes off his runs could open up the passing game for Cam, and he embraced that.” The result? Henry rushed for 1,150 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025, while also becoming a more reliable receiver out of the backfield. For the Tennessee Titans, this collaboration between Callahan and Henry was critical to maintaining continuity during a period of change. “When your best player buys into the new system, everyone else follows,” says Titans general manager Ran Carthon. “Brian did a great job of respecting Derrick’s legacy while helping him adapt, and that’s why our offense was able to grow so much.”

Brian Callahan Reflects on Time with the Tennessee Titans delves into the challenges he faced, including the team’s struggles on the offensive line and the pressure of living up to fan expectations. In 2025, Ward was sacked 42 times—the third-most in the NFL—a issue that Callahan admits kept him up at night. “Protecting Cam was our biggest failure last season, and that’s on me,” he says. “We didn’t do enough to address the line in free agency or the draft, and it cost us games. That’s a lesson I’ll carry with me forever: you can have the best quarterback and running back in the world, but if you don’t have people blocking for them, you’re not going to win.” The Titans’ front office has since made the offensive line a top priority in the 2026 draft, a move Callahan fully supports. “Having the front office back your vision is crucial,” he says. “Ran and I talked at length about what we need to fix, and we’re on the same page. That’s the kind of partnership you need to build a winner.” For the Tennessee Titans, this willingness to acknowledge and address flaws is a sign of the culture Callahan has built—one that values accountability over excuses. “Brian doesn’t sugarcoat things,” says defensive end Denico Autry. “If we’re not playing well, he tells us, but he also gives us a plan to get better. That’s the mark of a good coach.”

Brian Callahan Reflects on Time with the Tennessee Titans wraps up with his hopes for the future, a future he believes is bright for the Titans. With Ward entering his third season, Henry still performing at a high level, and a draft focused on fixing the offensive line, Callahan is optimistic the team can take the next step and make the playoffs in 2026. “We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re closer than we were two years ago,” he says. “The core of this team is young and talented, and we’ve built a culture where everyone is working toward the same goal. That’s something you can’t put a price on.” Looking back, Callahan says his time with the Titans has taught him the importance of patience and adaptability. “In the NFL, you can’t do things the same way every year. You have to evolve with your players and your roster,” he says. “But the one thing that never changes is the need for trust—trust between coach and player, trust between staff members, trust between the team and the fans.” For Brian Callahan, his time with the Tennessee Titans isn’t just a chapter in his coaching career—it’s a journey that has shaped who he is as a leader. And as he looks ahead to the 2026 season, he’s ready to write the next, more successful, chapter.