NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A day after saying everything was under consideration, Brian Callahan has given up play-calling, handing it to quarterback coach Bo Hardegree.
Hardegree called plays for the Raiders for nine games as the interim offensive coordinator in 2023. He got the nod over offensive coordinator Nick Holz, who had no playcalling experience and Mike McCoy, who called plays in three coordinator stops but not when he was head coach of the Chargers for three years.
The move could give the stagnant Titans' offense a boost. Through three games, they've scored three touchdowns, are second-worst in the NFL with 222.3 yards a game and second-worst in the NFL with a -0.23 EPA per play on offense.
No matter how nice a face Callahan painted on it, it’s a bad blow for him.
He was hired by Amy Adams Strunk largely because the franchise wanted an offensive innovator who could develop and guide a young quarterback, whether it would be Will Levis, who he inherited, or a high draft pick to come, who turned out to be Cam Ward. Calling plays was a big piece of that.
“I’ve had zero disappointment in my playcalling," Callahan said. "...I got hired to be the head coach. Part of that process was being involved on offense, but my job is to be the head coach of the football team and I think that this allows me to do that job a little bit better, pay more attention to some things that might require my attention and be more present."
Given his sentiment about no disappointment in his playcalling, it would seem there is a high likelihood that Chad Brinker and Mike Borgonzi gave him a nudge and want him to take a broader, CEO view where he can prevent gaffes like he has been committing.
With the Titans backed up late in the first half in Denver, he had the offense throw three times, failing to kill sufficient time and leaving room for the hosts to find a touchdown before intermission. Against the Broncos, he also failed to challenge a sideline catch where Elic Ayomanor was called out of bounds incorrectly and Callahan appeared not to understand the rule in a post-game explanation. And against the Colts, he took a delay of game after he had two time-outs to decide whether to go for it or kick a field goal
Hardegree's stock has grown in his time with the team. He interviewed to be Ben Johnson's offensive coordinator in Chicago last year.
He had a simple answer regarding his philosophy as a playcaller.
"Protect the ball and score points," he said.
He'll still be with Cam Ward and the quarterbacks. Burt Hardegree will be more spread out during a game.
"There'll be some times when I've got to go talk to a position group or two about some things going on in the game or where we're going, to kind of communicate so they can anticipate what's going to be called in the first couple plays, the next third down, things like that," Hardgree said. "Going from prior experiences, that's helped. I think Cam's going to be just fine."
Hardegree has been on the field with Holz and McCoy in the booth so far. Hardegree said they will take the week to evaluate the potential for any changes.
A change like this one has the chance to bring the team or a unit a jolt, something it desperately needs.
The Texans are tied for sixth with nine sacks, but their pressure rate is lower than the Titans' (18.4) at 16.7. Still, Tennessee has to handle two excellent edge rushers in Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter.
Ward needs to get rid of the ball more quickly, more often and do a better job getting from his first read to his second. Hopefully Hardgree can help him do that, call some easy stuff to get Calvin Ridley going and confident and get some explosive work out of Tony Pollard.
Those are major ingredients that could get the offense on a better track.
