Breaking down why Tennessee Titans are in limbo with 3-9 record in Week 14
Tennessee Titans head coach seems like a fish out of water
Recently hired Tennessee Titans Head Coach Brian Callahan cut his teeth as offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, coaching the incredible Joe Burrow. Many thought some of Burrow's impressive production was due to Callahan's offensive mind. This was sadly a misconception, as, without Callahan, Burrow has remained an MVP-level QB, while without his star to work with, Callahan has looked like a fish out of water.
Callahan's Tennessee Titans rank 28th in points per game. The team has been poor at Quarterback, with both second-year QB Will Levis and veteran Mason Rudolph struggling with turnovers and below-average production. The offensive line has allowed the fourth most sacks and is only performing at an average level when it comes to run blocking, ranking mid-tier in rushing yards per game. The Tennessee Titans do not have Jamarr Chase or Tee Higgins, and their wide receiver room has been anchored by the underperforming trade of Calvin Ridley and underwhelming free agent Tyler Boyd.
Tennessee Titans have to help their new coach with bonafide weapons at all key positions — QB, WR, OL and Defense. Callahan has proven he can make the magic happen if he has playmakers in place, especially QB. If the Tennessee Titans fail to deliver playmakers in free agency and the draft, expect more of the same mediocre production and underwhelming results.
QB room is in question
Neither Mason Rudolph nor Will Levis seem like the answer. Both are too turnovers prone and do not inspire confidence.
Levis had an injury record in college, and sadly, the injury bug has followed him to the NFL. His gunslinger playstyle means he likes to hold onto the ball for long periods, waiting for receivers to get open down the field. This requires a great offensive line to keep him upright as he scans the field, an O- Line the Tennessee Titans cannot provide, and this has caused many injuries for Levis, as he takes punishment waiting for receivers to get open.
The team also lacks dynamic playmakers at receiver who suit Levis' gunslinger mentality. Short to intermediate Possession receivers like Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd don't mesh well with Levis' down-the-field playmaker mentality.
Mason Rudolph is a more proven QB than Will Levis, whose game manager approach suits the current weapons of the Titans, but Mason Rudolph is not a QB to write home about. The Tennessee Titans can not reach their potential with an average game manager at QB; they require a playmaker.
Either through the draft or free agency, the Titans need to add a playmaker to their QB room, shore up their offensive line, and get dynamic wide receivers if they wish to see their offensive woes vanish.
The GM has to be held accountable
Tennessee Titans GM Ran Carthon built a stellar reputation for himself as in his stint with the San Francisco 49ers from 2017 to 2022. Helping assemble a super team that made multiple Super Bowl appearances has earned Carthon a certain level of cache around the league as an evaluator of talent.
Carthon's job will be at risk if he can't repeat the draft and free agency success he experienced at the 49ers.
He has already hitched his bandwagon to new coach Brian Callahan. What's left is to provide his coaching appointment with playmakers in every position. Taking swings on 30-year-olds past their prime receiving days like Tyler Boyd and Calvin Ridley won't get it done.
The defense ranks 27th in points per game. The Tennessee Titans rank in the bottom ten in sacks and interceptions and it's in desperate need of athletes. The 49ers team Carthon recently left is famous for its fast, aggressive and deep defense that is chock full of playmakers, while Carthon new team has a passive, lethargic and shallow defense that lacks playmakers in all positions.
How does the team leave limbo
If they want to leave the limbo, it starts with getting the right QB. Whether the fans like it or not, the team is locked into their choices at GM and HC for the long term. The only open spot for the long-term future of the franchise is at QB.
The upcoming draft is not loaded with QB talent, and GM Carthon may need to make moves to secure the Titans a pick as high as possible so that they can grab their top-choice QB. They could try to strike gold with a free agent signing at QB, but the upcoming free agency group of QB’s is only full of underwhelming flameouts from the past and bridge quarterbacks.
Only a franchise QB can save the jobs of GM Carthon, HC Callahan and all other staff involved. If they fail to hit at QB, they will not escape their current state and it will cost everyone involved their job.