NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan has had early praise for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the pre-draft process. Callahan's time as offensive coordinator for Cincinnati Bengals' passer Joe Burrow helped inform his evaluation of football's most important position.

Cincinnati picked Burrow No. 1 overall in 2020, while Callahan's Titans now hold the top choice in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

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Brian Callahan compares Shedeur Sanders skills with Joe Burrow

Callahan discussed a variety of topics, including quarterback evaluation, in a recent interview with Turron Davenport of ESPN.

"People had questions about Burrow's arm strength in general coming out," Callahan said. "One of the things that makes Joe so unique, and I think you can probably put Shedeur (Sanders) in the same conversation. … They anticipate when they throw it, they have the timing and accuracy on top of it. That makes up for the arm strength.

"Those things are how you make up for maybe not having the biggest arm. If you're throwing on time and putting a ball when and where you're supposed to go, you're not going to have too many problems."

Callahan prides himself on being able to coach and develop the quarterback position.

His NFL career leading up to his hire by Tennessee in 2024 cited experiences with top players like Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford, Derek Carr and Burrow. The players, matter most, of course, but all cited positive experiences during their time with Callahan and praised his football acumen. That resume took a hit last season after the abject disaster that was Callahan's first year with Titans quarterback Will Levis.

Levis' turnover (18) struggles contributed to his benching and Tennessee's 3-14 record that requires yet another offseason search for the club's future under center. 

Titans have had positive interactions with Shedeur Sanders

It is worth noting that Callahan has only met with Sanders and not projected first-round pick, Cam Ward, at this point. 

Sanders was not in Mobile, AL for last week's Senior Bowl, but did attend the East-West Shrine Bowl for media availability and team meetings. Callahan met Sanders there informally, before another meeting with Titans team officials in attendance including new general manager Mike Borgonzi. Callahan spoke highly of Sanders after both meetings. 

Ward was not present for either college All-Star event and will meet with teams at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis at the end of this month. 

Whether Tennessee drafts a quarterback at No. 1 overall this April remains to be seen. 

What Shedeur Sanders said about potentially being drafted by the Titans with the No. 1 overall pick

NASHVILLE — Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders spoke at this weekend's East-West Shrine Bowl on a variety of subjects. The topic most interesting to Tennessee Titans fans was, of course, what the son of Deion's interest was in being taken with the No. 1 overall pick in April's NFL Draft. Mutual interest between player and team […]

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