NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The NFL knows how to create storylines when scheduling, especially for season openers.
Brian Callahan debuts as the Tennessee Titans new head coach Sunday on the road against the Bears — a team he grew up cheering for along with most of Chicago's other pro teams.
“It’s a great place, and it’s a great sports town too on top of it," Callahan said Wednesday. "So cool moment to be able to go open up my head coaching career in Chicago. Fitting."
Callahan's father, Bill, grew up on the South Side, took his son to White Sox games at old Comiskey Park and remains a devoted fan. His mother is from the North Side with her sister still in Chicago. He called the Callahans a “tried and true” Chicago family.
On Sunday, cheering choices will be easy. His father is coaching the Titans offensive line as part of a staff ready to help Callahan make his NFL mark. With the break between the third preseason game, Callahan has had a chance to start this game week focused on game-planning.
“I’ve had a blast,” Callahan said. “There’s been a lot of enthusiasm, I think, from everybody in our building, getting ready for the game. But that part’s been ... I feel comfortable, back at home, game-planning again. So that’s exciting.”
Callahan was hired in January to replace Mike Vrabel after spending the past five seasons as offensive coordinator in Cincinnati.
He's worked to tap all the lessons learned working alongside Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor. He's also had all offseason, training camp, walkthroughs and three preseason games to adapt to what will be different on game day. No more spending games in the coaching box. Callahan is on the field and leaning on his assistants upstairs as he calls plays.
Yes, it has been an adjustment.
“I’ve been on the field probably four or five times in 15 years,” Callahan said. “So, it’s different. I get scared of the gunners. Those are the ones I got to make sure I’m ... paying attention. That’s the new thing for me, is that I can’t turn my back to the field or walk. So, I’m always very alert on punts. But yeah, it’s been an adjustment for me. It’s gone well and been smooth. But, seeing the defense on the field is different, much different than the box.”
Callahan was hired to juice up one of the NFL's worst offenses in 2023. The Titans ranked 28th in total yards per game and 29th with 180.4 yards passing per game. His general manager brought in a lot of talent for Callahan to help quarterback Will Levis, the 33rd pick overall out of Kentucky in 2023.
Levis went 3-6 as a rookie, taking over Oct. 29 for an injured Ryan Tannehill. He threw for 1,808 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions while being sacked 28 times. Not ideal for a young quarterback to have to learn a new offense, but Callahan's system has similarities to what Levis ran in college. Plus both have built what Levis called a good rapport.
“I understand how he wants to call the plays and what tempo and what we’re just trying to get done from a play-calling standpoint yeah. And his voice is pretty soothing. So it’s good to hear it in the ear," Levis said with a smile.
Knowing Callahan helped lure veteran wide receiver Tyler Boyd to Tennessee. Boyd watched Callahan work with Jake Browning after Joe Burrow's season-ending injury last year and is eager to see what the Titans do with Callahan calling the shots.
"I think him doing that just showed the league that he could kind of do that with any quarterback,” Boyd said.
Five-time Pro Bowl WR DeAndre Hopkins, who hurt a knee July 31, practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday. The Titans practiced Monday in a session closed to reporters, and Wednesday featured the first official injury report of the season. ... S Jamal Adams (hip) did not practice, and LB Otis Reese was limited working through the concussion protocol.
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