Just one season and six weeks were enough for the Tennessee Titans to fire Brian Callahan. After a 4-19 record and many awful and public coaching mistakes, it was clear the team needed a change, but what happens now with the contract he signed?
Well, the Titans signed him to a five-year contract back in January 2024. According to Spotrac, Callahan was getting paid around $3 million per year. Now, the Titans will continue to pay that all the way until 2028.
It depends on whether how the contract is redacted, but usually, the coaches’ money will still get paid once they’re fired. A few years ago, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the NFL teams pay up to $800 million on fired coaches and front-office executives.
Callahan never showed head coaching material
Callahan was appointed as head coach because he was an offensive oriented coach that would change the way the Titans attacked on the field. He was never capable of doing that. Not only with Will Levis, now he’s also failed to do so with the first overall pick in Cam Ward.
Cam Ward #1 of the Tennessee Titans.
For Ward, this is good. While changing head coaches when a rookie QB is in place is usually not good, Callahan didn’t look prepared to guide Ward. With Ward, you need a solid, stable head coach able to give the quarterback a chance to make growth while playing NFL games.
see also
Skip Bayless says another rookie QB should be starting for Titans
Callahan’s offensive numbers are very bad
In 2024, the Titans offense ranked 26th in total yards, 26th in passing, 20th in rushing offense, and 27th in scoring. That was with Will Levis under center. So… Ward was about to change that, but it was really an indictment on Callahan.
This year, they’re even worse. Tennessee is 31st in scoring, 31st in rushing, 31st in passing, and dead last in total yards. It’s a huge regression for a team with a QB drafted first overall. The Titans also brought two new receivers and drafted another two. Things needed to change and the Titans are now looking for a new head coach.
