Brian Callahan is already doing all the right things with Titans QB Will Levis
NASHVILLE — With the hiring of head coach Brian Callahan, the Tennessee Titans are completely redefining their brand of football. What used to be a gritty, run-first, old-school football team has taken the first step towards becoming a modern offense that prioritizes elite quarterback play. Fair or not, early judgments of Callahan as the Titans’ head coach […]
NASHVILLE — With the hiring of head coach Brian Callahan, the Tennessee Titans are completely redefining their brand of football.
What used to be a gritty, run-first, old-school football team has taken the first step towards becoming a modern offense that prioritizes elite quarterback play. Fair or not, early judgments of Callahan as the Titans’ head coach will be based on the success Will Levis has as a young quarterback.
The development of Levis and the Callahan-Levis relationship is the single most important thing for the organization moving forward. Fortunately, things seem to be starting off strong.
During a press conference in which offensive coordinator Nick Holz and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson were introduced to Titans media, Callahan was asked about his relationship with Will Levis.
When Callahan was first introduced and took questions from the media, he and Levis had only just met. But in the weeks since, the two have been in constant communication and cultivated a strong connection. Callahan has even been communicating with Levis about various decisions made with the 2024 coaching staff.
“I know that as a quarterback, you're certainly not owed those explanations, or input. But I think the best relationships with head coaches and quarterbacks are ones where they are given those opportunities to share information like that," said Callahan. "I thought that was important to keep, Will abreast of what was happening both hiring wise, where we were at organizationally, just he plays a huge role in this whole thing, too.”
Callahan told the media that he wants Levis to feel like he can come to him with his opinions. He seems to recognize the fact that Levis is not just a cog in the wheel, but the straw that stirs the drink.
“I think that's important, for him to feel like he's got some involvement, some ownership, some input to what's happening," said Callahan. "Again, it's not necessarily that he's owed that. It's just that I think that's the working relationship that I want to have with him. And I think for me, it's starting that precedent was the right thing to do.”
Callahan would later reference the relationship he had with Jake Browning in Cincinnati as an example of what he wants to have with Levis. Browning and Callahan had an open dialogue and rapport that made the transition seamless when Browning stepped in after Joe Burrow’s injury.
According to Callahan, Browning would tell him and Zac Taylor when he was uncomfortable running plays. That’s something Levis will have the freedom to do in Tennessee. “It's important that he feels that willingness from me. So, we can build a successful scheme around his skill set that he feels comfortable with," said Callahan.
With how vital the Callahan-Levis relationship will be to the future of the Titans organization, this is exactly what Titans fans want to hear. The new era is started off on the right foot and the new head coach is doing all the right things.
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