Titans To Hire Cincinnati Coach Brian Callahan Over Texans Bobby Slowik
Bobby Slowik won't be headed to Nashville in 2024.
According to reports, the Tennessee Titans plan to hire Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan for their head coaching vacancy. Slowik interviewed for the position last week prior to the Houston Texans' 34-10 loss against the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round.
Callahan is the third hire of the offseason's coaching cycle, joining Antonio Pierce (Las Vegas Raiders) and Jerod Mayo (New England Patriots). Slowik still could land with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, or Washington Commanders if offered a second interview.
Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik smiles before the game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
While Slowik was considered a top candidate after helping Houston clinch its first division title in four years, Callahan's name started to gain steam entering the weekend. He was the first candidate to interview with the Titans and impressed general manager Ran Carthon enough to set up an in-person meeting.
Callahan was expected to be in the running for multiple jobs if Tennessee chose to go in a different path. He'll now be tasked with helping rookie quarterback Will Levis build off a mixed first season as a starter.
The Titans own the No. 7 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and are expected to fortify their offensive line with the pick. Tennessee could be without multiple veterans next season, including All-Pro running back Derrick Henry.
Callahan has been the Bengals’ offensive coordinator since 2019. He's best known for his work with Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow, who's transformed into one of the league's best passers since being drafted No. 1 overall out of LSU in 2020.
In 2021, Burrow led the NFL in completion percentage (70.4 percent) while throwing for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns. He guided Cincinnati to its first playoff win since 1990 and its first Super Bowl appearance since 1988.
A year later, the Bengals ranked fifth nationally in passing (265 yards per game) and seventh in scoring (26.1 points per contest). Callahan also shares offensive duties with head coach Zac Taylor, who serves as the Bengals' primary play-caller.
Slowik, who joined DeMeco Ryans' staff after spending six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, was essential in the development of rookie passer C.J. Stroud. The No. 2 overall pick became the fifth rookie passer in league history to throw for 4,000 yards (4.108) during the regular season, joining Andrew Luck, Justin Herbert, Cam Newton, and Jameis Winston.
Stroud completed 64 percent of his passes and totaled 23 touchdowns against five interceptions. The favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, Stroud was third in the NFL in explosive plays of 20 yards or more during the regular season.
Stroud's 100.8 passer rating ranked fourth among passers, trailing only San Francisco's Brock Purdy (113.0), Baltimore's Lamar Jackson (102.7), and Miami's Tua Tagovailoa.
Slowik's career began in Washington as a defensive assistant in 2010 under Mike Shanahan. The Commanders are still looking for their next head coach after hiring longtime 49ers executive Adam Peters earlier this month as their new general manager.
Callahan will replace Mike Vrabel, who was fired after six seasons in Nashville. Under his watch, the Titans won two division titles and made the playoffs three times.
Tennessee lost 18 of their final 24 games under Vrabel and failed to score more than 28 points in any game in the last two seasons, including twice to the Texans.
