A pair of unexpected coaching candidates arise out of nowhere - The Titans may have found fresh voices to reshape their sideline
The Tennessee Titans remain in the early stages of their head coaching search. Interim Mike McCoy will wrap up a lifeless season after replacing Brian Callahan in Week 7. McCoy stands zero chance to inherit the full-time gig, so Mike Borgonzi and Chad Brinker will be tasked with beginning to interview prospective candidates in January.
Borgonzi and Brinker are currently working on putting together a shortlist. The initial belief was that the Titans will prioritize both play-calling and previous head coaching experience. A recent report indicates they're keeping their options open, however.
Albert Breer writes a weekly Monday morning column for Sports Illustrated. This week, the Titans' coaching search was among the covered topics. Breer claims the Titans are looking at a wide array of candidates, including Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, and Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
Report: Titans head coaching search could include Chargers DC Jesse Minter and Rams DC Chris Shula
Claiming the Titans initially focused on an experienced candidate who could help develop rookie quarterback Cam Ward, Breer quickly adds, "
Shula, the grandson of the legendary Don Shula, is in his first year as the Rams' DC and defensive play caller. He first joined Sean McVay's coaching staff in 2017 as an assistant linebackers coach and has consistently worked his way up the ladder. Notably, he spent time on staff with current Titans special teams coordinator John "Bones" Fassel, who the next Titans coach should possess interest in retaining. The Rams defense is thriving under his tutelage, allowing the second-fewest points per game (17.5).
Minter is in his second campaign as the Chargers' defensive coordinator. He joined L.A. in unison with Jim Harbaugh in 2024 after serving as his DC at Michigan in 2022-23. Minter brings more than 10 years of coordinating experience to the table, but only the recent two years at the NFL level.
Both Minter and Shula figure to be popular coaching candidates this offseason. At initial glance, they don't meet the Titans' experience requirements. Borgonzi and Brinker should keep an open mind as they place both Minter and Shula on their list of prospective candidates.
Pat Freiermuth Gets Alarming Message From Steelers: Analyst
One of the more alarming takeaways from the offensive debacle the Pittsburgh Steelers experienced in Week 13 versus the Buffalo Bills was tight end Pat Freiermuth’s playing time. Once again, Freiermuth took a back seat to fellow tight ends Darnell Washington and Jonnu Smith.
Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora argued Wednesday morning it’s the latest proof the team views Freiermuth as a $12.1 million backup.
“After the Bills’ field goal to make it 26-7, the Steelers’ offense took the field for three final snaps. Meaningless and uneventful. Two runs by rookie RB Kaleb Johnson, one incompletion by QB Mason Rudolph. Everyone simply ran out the clock,” wrote Kozora.
“Pittsburgh knew it, too. The Steelers pulled key starters and played as many backups as they could. Those removed? QB Aaron Rodgers, WR D.K. Metcalf, RB Jaylen Warren, RB Kenneth Gainwell, TE Darnell Washington, and OG Isaac Seumalo….
“The tight end who took the field? Pat Freiermuth.”
Washington led all Steelers tight ends with 34 offensive snaps against Buffalo. Smith was second at the position with 23 snaps.
Freiermuth played 17 offensive snaps, three of which came on the meaningless drive Kozora referenced.
Steelers See TE Pat Freiermuth as a Backup
It’s been repeated a lot since Sunday, but it’s important to note again that the Steelers only had 43 offensive snaps in Week 13. So, Freiermuth actually played 40% of the time on offense versus the Bills.
Still, that’s not the playing time a starting tight end receives. Before Sunday, even Freiermuth, who has seen his snaps greatly slashed this season, hadn’t lined up for 40% or fewer of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps since Week 6.
Freiermuth’s role is quickly becoming one of the more frustration aspects, especially on offense, of the Steelers’ 2025 season. Last year, Freiermuth posted 65 catches, 653 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. It was his second 650-yard campaign in three years. In the season where he didn’t reach that total, he missed five games.
Before 2025, Freiermuth appeared to have Pro Bowl potential. That’s largely why the Steelers signed the tight end to a four-year, $48.4 million extension.
Other recent high offensive draft picks in Pittsburgh — Najee Harris, George Pickens and Kenny Pickett — didn’t get second contracts from the Steelers. Freiermuth did.
But this fall, Freiermuth hasn’t had much of a role even in Arthur Smith’s tight end-centric offense.
What’s Freiermuth’s Future With Steelers?
The Steelers have a unique cap situation. They have a very expensive defense and a cheap quarterback not on a rookie deal.
Still, it’s worth noting Freiermuth possesses the sixth-highest cap hit among Steelers players this season. On offense, he’s second only to Aaron Rodgers and trails the quarterback by only a little more than $1 million.
Yet, Freiermuth is playing a career-low 48% of the team’s offensive snaps. Before this season, he had never been under 62% (counting the games in which he dressed).
Washington and Smith have both played more.
All three tight ends are signed through at least the 2026 season. So, it’s worth wondering what Freiermuth’s future could be in Pittsburgh.
It’s unlikely that his Pro Bowl potential suddenly disappeared this season. But he’s not getting the opportunities to reach that potential.
If the Steelers didn’t believe Freiermuth possessed that kind of ceiling, then they shouldn’t have signed him to a $48.4 million extension.
Despite the lack of playing time, Freiermuth is still second on the Steelers with 298 receiving yards in 2025. The offense needs a lot more production than that from their No. 2 pass-catcher. But Freiermuth requires more snaps if he’s going to be the guy to provide Rodgers another quality option in the passing attack.
That doesn’t appear to be likely to happen, though, given how the Steelers clearly view Freiermuth as their TE3.
