NFL World Reacts to Titans Tabbing Bengals OC Brian Callahan as Next Tennessee Head Coach

The Tennessee Titans have found their replacement for Mike Vrabel, and he’ll come in with his area of expertise in explosive offensive play.

NFL World Reacts to Brian Callahan Hire for Titans

Per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter on Monday, the Titans are in the process of finalizing a deal to make Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan their next head coach. His hire was met with lots of social media reactions.

Callahan had surfaced as a red-hot name during the 2024 head coach hiring cycle.

Tag-teaming with fellow offensive mind and current Cincinnati HC Zac Taylor, he helped turn QB Joe Burrow into a Pro Bowler while turning WR Ja’Marr Chase into an All-Pro. More recently, Callahan sparked the career of journeyman QB Jake Browning.

Following Burrow going down with a season-ending wrist injury, Browning delivered three 300-yard outings in his seven starts with the Bengals. He went 4-3 as the starter, as Cincy kept in the playoff race before eventually losing ground to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Before working with Burrow and Browning, Callahan was with the Denver Broncos during a time when they had QB Peyton Manning, the Detroit Lions when QB Matthew Stafford was in town, and the Oakland Raiders when Derek Carr was the franchise QB.

Was Callahan’s hire met with praise? Social media revealed mixed reactions of the move.

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“Firing Vrabel for Callahan sounds like an ultimate punishment that would be on Impractical Jokers,” one fan posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) while referencing the popular Tru TV show.

Another fan was more skeptical about the hire.

“In a few seasons it’ll be interesting to see if the Titans firing Mike Vrabel was worth it,” the fan said.

One fan, though, sounded more optimistic about the move Tennessee made.

“Even the backup quarterbacks played good. He might just succeed,” the fan shared.

One more fan then brought up this stirring theory involving a high-profile free agent soon to be available for March.

“Could this help them sign [WR] Tee Higgins in free agency?” the fan asked.

It’s important to note that the towering 6’4″ option and 2021 season AFC champion wideout is from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, so he’s familiar with the Nashville surroundings, as Oak Ridge is less than two hours and 30 minutes from the Music City and the Titans’ Nissan Stadium.

What Other Teams Requested Callahan?

Again, the Titans will end up luring in a name that became popular across multiple openings in the NFL.

Who else was asking about Callahan, and which teams managed to sit down with him for an interview? Here’s who the Titans beat out, according to PFN’s NFL Head Coach Interview Tracker:

• Atlanta Falcons: Callahan interviewed for the opening on Jan. 13. He had a second interview scheduled for Wednesday before the Titans came in.
• Carolina Panthers: The league’s worst team from 2023 became the second NFC South squad to interview Callahan, which was on Thursday, Jan. 18. He had another interview set for Tuesday.
• Los Angeles Chargers: The soon-to-be former Bengals OC interviewed on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

All three teams are currently dealing with answering what to do at QB — from deciding on whether to draft a passer or figuring out who’s the right man to lead Carolina QB Bryce Young or Chargers QB Justin Herbert.

The Titans were the fourth team to inquire about Callahan, but they actually interviewed him first (Friday, Jan. 12).

Their second interview with Callahan was set for Monday, which ultimately led to the final deal, ensuring one of the more desired names wouldn’t drift from the Titans’ grasp.

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