The Tennessee Titans announced their new head coach, Brian Callahan, this week, and with him comes a lot of change. A new power structure has emerged in the front office, as has a new offensive philosophy. Tennessee’s offense historically relied on standout running back Derrick Henry, who is now a free agency. Is Henry done for good now that his contract has expired and Callahan has arrived?
During a Friday interview with 102.5 The Game in Nashville, Callahan was asked how a guy like Henry might fit into his offense.
“I think a player like Derrick Henry fits in every offense,” Callahan said in an interview. “He’s been a fantastic player, and he’s been the face of our club for a long time. When you think of the Tennessee Titans, you immediately think of Derrick Henry. He has earned that. Look, if he’s open to a return that works for us, I’m never going to turn down good guys. I know he’s been a great leader in this building as well, which carries a lot of weight. There are methods to use each player. There is no offensive scheme that says, ‘I don’t enjoy having Derrick Henry here.’
“I assume he still has some gas in the tank. So we’ll see how that goes. I know he’ll probably hit the market and see what’s available to him. But I would never say no to a player like that if they want to return and it works for us. I simply think he’s such a wonderful person on top of that, and he’s meant so much to this community that I would never discount that.”
This season, the two-time NFL rushing yards and touchdowns leader led the league in running attempts (280), finished second in rushing yards (1,167), and tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns (12). While the running back market is not exactly “hot,” Henry is a guy who may spark some attention. He recently disclosed that he was on the verge of being traded to a playoff-bound team before the trade deadline.
While most people believe Henry will play football elsewhere in 2024, Callahan did suggest that the franchise legend may return — if that’s what he wants.
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What will Brian Callahan’s strategy be with the struggling Tennessee Titans in 2024?
Brian Callahan, former offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, was a prime example of a relatively unknown coach entering the building and making the most of his opportunities. When Callahan was hired in 2019, he was paired with the aging Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green. He will leave one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses. The real question will be whether he brings some of that charm to Tennessee.
Head Coach Brian Callahan will need a new staff.
The first thing Callahan will need to do at Tennessee is fill out his staff. Unfortunately for Callahan, he may face the same situation that Cincinnati Head Coach Zac Taylor faced in 2019, in which the majority of high-level coaches in the NFL will not want to be a coordinator for a coach as inexperienced as Callahan. With that in mind, he is likely to apply the same method that Taylor used during his tenure: appoint individuals you know and trust.
His father, Bill Callahan, would undoubtedly be the best candidate to fill that role. The older Callahan has worked in the league, including several seasons as head coach of the Oakland Raiders in the early 2000s. Callahan would serve as offensive coordinator for his son, and the two would use a crowd-sourcing technique to play calling similar to Taylor’s in Cincinnati. While it may be odd for a coach to hire his father, he is definitely the most experienced option who will be considered on this coaching staff, especially given Tennessee’s critical need to repair the offensive line.
The defensive side of the ball is more difficult to predict, but after conducting research, James Bettcher appears to be the most likely contender for defensive coordinator. Bettcher has been the Cincinnati Bengals’ linebackers coach for the past two seasons, but he previously worked as a defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals from 2015 to 2017 and the New York Giants between 2018 and 2019. Bettcher would be able to harness Tennessee’s outstanding defensive front while also restoring the secondary to its former prominence. Bettcher would also be a highly recognized coach within Callahan’s group who could readily fill in for positional coaches.
What is the overall game strategy for Callahan?
While it may be natural for Callahan to emphasize the passing game, as he has done throughout his career, he will most likely walk into the building in Tennessee and recognize that the infrastructure in place calls for a play-action system. Regardless of whether the team retains aging superstar Derrick Henry, previous head coach Mike Vrabel invested substantial draft capital on developing an offensive line over the years. Because their greatest aerial options are aging star DeAndre Hopkins and raw talent Treylon Burks, the team will most likely rely on the ground game to set up far easier play-action opportunities for budding skill Will Levis to make easier throws.
Callahan may also use his contacts to sign one of his old team’s star free agents to play receiver. Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are also available to the highest bidder this summer, and adding two recognizable names might make it much easier for Callahan to design the offense he desires. Levis is obviously not without potential, so the biggest concern with that strategy is that it would put a lot of pressure on the rookie quarterback to perform like elite quarterback Joe Burrow.
Defensively, it may be time for Tennessee to rebuild, as much of their elite defense from past years has either retired or left for free agency. Beetcher, or whoever the organization appoints to lead the defense, will face a difficult assignment in assembling the pieces during the draft and free agency to field a competitive defense. While the defense may be struggling, they still have outstanding defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons to lead the way. If the team can add a pass rusher and assistance in the secondary, this defense has the ability to rebound significantly this season.
While it may be the job he has always wanted, Callahan’s first year will be difficult as he learns the ropes of the top coaching position while also fighting the clock, which is ticking for all new coaching appointments. This is clearly not a Super Bowl contender, because if it were, Vrabel would not have been fired. While Tennessee may not be a contender right away, the team has elements in place that might keep it competitive for years.
