The Titans are building around rookie coach
We are a few days into free agency and the Tennessee Titans have been very active so far. The Titans, who fired head coach Mike Vrabel after six seasons. Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk came to believe her faith in Vrabel was not being reciprocated, and was also unhappy about Vrabel’s visit to New England in October to be enshrined in the Patriots’ Hall of Fame. Most thought he would be considered to be the next Patriots coach. Instead, Robert Kraft went with Jerod Mayo.
Tennessee hired young offensive mind Brian Callahan who previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2019 to 2023. At 39 years old, Callahan became the sixth-youngest head coach in the NFL. Callahan in his career has worked with quarterback such as Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford, Derek Carr and Joe Burrow. Last season, Callahan worked with back up quarterback Jake Browning who went 4-3 last year, including a 3 game winning streak after never starting a game before.Browning finished the 2023 campaign ranked first in completion percentage (70.4%) and tied for fourth in yards per attempt (8.0).
The Titans have a young quarterback in need of developing in Will Levis. Tennessee has had one of the worst offenses over the last three years, finishing No. 17 in total yards in 2021, No. 30 in 2022 and No. 28 this past season. The Titans averaged 17.9 points per game in 2023. The Titans have a new power structure just like the Patriots. They promoted Ran Carthon to Executive Vice President/General Manager and Chad Brinker to President of Football Operations. Carthon has been given control of the roster, along with draft and free agency decisions. So far they have released their best player in Derrick Henry who has moved on to Baltimore. They replaced him by singing Tony Pollard to a 3 year deal with 24 million dollars. They added to their offensive line and defense acquiring Kenneth Murray and adding a veteran quarterback in Mason Rudolph.
The Titans have beat the Patriots to free agents the last few year. Adam Humphies at one time chose the Titans over the Patriots. Last year, DeAndre Hopkins was in the building and was offered a deal but according to reports, it was Bill Belichick who decided not to sign the veteran. He went on to help a young rookie in Will Levis in 8 games hauling in 32 receptions, 543 yards, 6 TD’s. They also have a young receiver in Treylon Burks who will see more targets now that the team has signed Calvin Ridley from the Jaguars.
In one shot offseason, the Titan have revamped the power structure with a GM. They have quarterback on the rise and now have three above average receivers. Talk about weaponizing the offense and building around a rookie head coach and young quarterback. I hope the Krafts are taking lessons.
