When you ask a Tennessee Titans fan who is most to blame for the team's underwhelming 7-6 start to the 2022 season, you will likely hear one name being called out more than the rest: Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing.

The Titans second-year play-caller is the first name brought up by any Titans fan looking for change within the organization. Many fans are calling for Downing's job (or at least the revoking of his play-calling responsibilities), and have been for quite some time. To be fair, they have a compelling argument.

Even putting Downing's off the field issue aside, his offense has been one dimensional and unfruitful for a vast majority of the team's games. The roster may lack NFL caliber weapons or capable blockers up front, but fans want a coaching staff that puts the players given to them in the best possible position to win games. Downing has failed to do that.

Tennessee is near the bottom of the league in both yards per game and points per game. They are also averaging less than six (5.38) second-half points per game this season, showing a consistent failure to adjust and finish. That's sure to rile up a hungry fanbase.

Titans fans may need to wait for the change they long for, though.

Head coach Mike Vrabel was asked a fan question about coaching changes on his weekly Titans Radio show which airs on Monday nights on 104.5 The Zone with Titans play-by-play voice Mike Keith.

The fan question asked Vrabel, who has been vocal about being "open" to anything he feels would benefit the team, where he stands on making organization or coaching changes. Vrabel's response may not be what fans want to hear.

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"We're not going to make any coaching changes during the season. Those are things that I evaluate at the end of the season," Vrabel asserted. "I see what's being taught. I have the luxury of going into each and every room. I hear what's being coached. I hear the details. I hear the design of each and every play. So, that's not something that I'm going to be doing right now. But again, we'll evaluate everything at the end of the season and go from there."

Surely that will put an end to the "Fire Todd Downing" chants at Nissan Stadium (or not).

This should not come as a surprise, though. Coaching changes this late into the season are an anomaly in the NFL. By the time December rolls around, you are what you are. The writing may be on the wall for Downing once the season wraps, but Vrabel has made it clear that firing his offensive coordinator before he has had time to digest the season at large is not something he has interest in doing.

Like it or not, Downing is here to stay for the remainder of the 2022 season, so before you ask "why won't the Titans fire Todd Downing?" after the team's next shortcoming, here's your simple answer:

The head coach doesn't want to.

Image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK