Cam Ward presented first major problem in NFL with Titans firing HC Brian Callahan

The Tennessee Titans fired head coach Brian Callahan on Monday after a 1–5 start to his second season and a 4–19 overall mark, naming senior offensive assistant Mike McCoy the interim head coach. Team president of football operations Chad Brinker said the move was made because the club "failed to show sufficient growth." The move now puts more pressure on Cam Ward as Tennessee next hosts New England, now coached by former Titans HC Mike Vrabel.

Callahan, hired in January 2024 for his quarterback-development pedigree, could not spark an offense that ranks among the league's worst. Through six games the Titans scored 83 points and averaged 3.94 yards per play, historically low figures over the last two decades. Callahan had already ceded play-calling after an 0–3 start.

The decision follows a 20–10 loss at Las Vegas in which rookie quarterback Cam Ward turned the ball over three times. It was a disappointing loss that came after a potentially momentum-building miracle win over the Arizona Cardinals. McCoy — formerly the Chargers' head coach — takes over with a mandate to stabilize Ward's development and the offense.

Ward’s recent public comments, before the firing was announced, emphasized accountability and Tennessee's slow starts. His comments after the shutout loss to the Texans made some waves and he later said teammates respected the message even if the delivery was straight forward. He has also acknowledged his own struggles during that time as well. Ward has only shown to be a good leader for the Titans, but now without the head coach that drafted him, there will need to be more positives for him compared to the first six games of the season.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Ward had not publicly addressed Callahan's dismissal specifically. With McCoy elevated, the Titans are using the change as an attempt to jump-start the offense around their No. 1 overall pick.