By Levi Dombro | June 2, 2025 | 12:32 PM EDT
NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Titans have made a decision fans saw coming, and now it’s official: head coach Brian Callahan enters the 2025 NFL season on one of the hottest seats in football.
After a disastrous 3-14 campaign in 2024 — the worst record in the league — the Titans’ new regime has already seen its first major casualty, with general manager Ran Carthon being fired by owner Amy Adams Strunk earlier this offseason. While some expected Callahan to be shown the door alongside Carthon, he was instead granted a second year to right the ship, now working under new GM Mike Borgonzi.
But the clock is ticking.
On Monday, Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker listed Callahan among the “10 NFL head coaches on the hot seat” heading into 2025. For a team desperate to rebuild its identity and find consistent leadership, Callahan’s lack of early results is becoming a serious concern.
“Under Callahan’s guidance, Tennessee ended a woeful 3-14 in 2024,” Locker wrote. “Callahan’s offensive success with the Bengals hardly translated, as the Titans ended the year 29th in EPA per play, 25th in success rate, and 27th in average yards per play.”
From Offensive Whiz to Struggling Head Coach
Callahan was hired in early 2024 with the reputation of an offensive innovator, thanks to his previous work with Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. But Tennessee’s offense never got off the ground in his first year. The team finished near the bottom of nearly every offensive metric, and quarterback Will Levis regressed behind a battered offensive line and inconsistent play-calling.
With the 2025 NFL Draft selection of rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the Titans now pivot toward a new era. But that transition doesn’t afford Callahan much breathing room.
“Although this team is still among the league’s worst in terms of talent — and years away from contending — Callahan will need to get the wheels moving in the right direction, particularly on offense, or he risks being fired after his second campaign,” added Locker.
A Brutal Road Ahead
If things weren’t difficult enough for Callahan, Tennessee’s 2025 schedule might be one of the toughest in the league. The Titans will face both the AFC West and NFC West — two divisions that feature multiple playoff-caliber teams. The season kicks off on the road against the Denver Broncos, a matchup that will test the resolve of a young roster and a coach already facing mounting pressure.
Add to that the uncertainty of starting a rookie quarterback and trying to rebuild a fragile locker room, and it’s clear that the stakes have never been higher in Nashville.
Fan Frustration Grows
Fans have voiced their frustration for months, questioning whether Callahan was the right hire in the first place. Despite some promising moments from individual players like running back Tony Pollard and rookie receiver Tre Harris, the team lacked cohesion and leadership in 2024. Now, with a new GM in place and a fresh quarterback being groomed, Callahan could be next in line if the Titans stumble out of the gate.
For now, Brian Callahan remains the head coach of the Tennessee Titans. But if the results don’t come quickly in 2025, he may not finish the season that way.
