Why Titans reportedly felt now was right time to fire Brian Callahan
The Tennessee Titans decided to fire second-year head coach Brian Callahan just eight days after he guided the club to its first win of the season (thanks largely to help from the Arizona Cardinals).
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler explained Wednesday why the Titans didn't allow Callahan to continue working with rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward through Week 18.
Titans no longer wanted Cam Ward to develop under Brian Callahan
"The 2025 product under Callahan was worse than imagined — and with one of the NFL's worst rosters, that's saying something," Fowler explained. "The goal was simple: get better. The Titans didn't. Was 23 games enough for Callahan to establish a winning culture? Of course not. But my sense after asking around is the Titans weighed Cam Ward's development in all of this, and whether Callahan could spark any improvement."
Ahead of the Titans' 20-10 loss at the Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) in Week 6, Ward acknowledged that he was "not playing how I want to play right now." ESPN stats show that he heads into Week 7 ranked last in the league among qualified players with a 24.9 adjusted QBR for the campaign. The Titans are 31st in the NFL with an average of 13.8 points scored per game, and Callahan compiled a woeful 4-19 record before he was shown the door.
Did Mike Vrabel impact Brian Callahan decision?
The 1-5 Titans fired Callahan less than one week before the club will welcome the New England Patriots (4-2) to Nissan Stadium on Sunday. New England head coach Mike Vrabel held that job with Tennessee for six seasons until he was fired in January 2024.
"Some people I've talked to believe Vrabel's presence was a factor, at least subconsciously," Fowler added about the Titans firing Callahan. "One industry source told me half-jokingly, 'They didn't want Vrabel to be the one to dunk on [Callahan],' thus getting ahead of it. People around the league with a fundamental understanding of the Titans' standing also wondered if this was a chance to reset. As one team executive put it, this is the 'last cleanup' under president of football operations Chad Brinker. Now Brinker and general manager Mike Borgonzi can handpick their coach."
That last point suggests Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk should've completely cleaned house last winter when the franchise parted ways with then-general manager Ran Carthon. What's done is done, and the Titans will now spend the next few months searching for a coach who believes he can turn Ward into a top-tier QB1.
Taysom Hill of New Orleans Saints: A Quiet Gesture that Speaks Volumes – Why His Act of Kindness on a Flight is Shaping His Legacy
New Orleans, LA — October 11, 2025
Hill, who has quickly become one of the most respected and versatile players in the NFL, was caught in a viral moment this week that has left fans and fellow athletes alike in awe. The incident occurred not on the football field, but rather aboard a commercial flight from New Orleans, where Hill made a seemingly small but profoundly meaningful gesture that reminded everyone of what true leadership and character really look like.
A Quiet Act of Respect
According to multiple witnesses, just moments before takeoff, Hill — dressed casually in a hoodie and baseball cap — was seated in first class when an elderly man in a U.S. veteran cap was escorted down the aisle. Without hesitation, Hill stood up, offered his seat, and urged the veteran to take it. The veteran initially refused, but Hill insisted with a smile and quietly moved to an economy seat without making a scene.
However, what came next made this moment even more special. After relocating to his new seat, Hill didn’t seek attention or bask in any praise. Instead, he spent the next few minutes helping fellow passengers with their luggage, offering assistance to families, and even helping a mother calm her crying baby. According to flight attendants, Hill “was just helping — quietly, gently, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.”
This modest act, captured by no cameras and recorded by no media outlets, was a reflection of Hill’s personality both on and off the field — humble, genuine, and compassionate. “He wasn’t drawing attention to himself,” one witness noted. “He was just being a good person.”
A Ripple of Kindness: The Flight Cabin Responds
As Hill continued his quiet service, passengers began to take notice. Within minutes, murmurs spread across the cabin, and then, a spontaneous show of admiration erupted. Fellow passengers started chanting his name: “Hill! Hill!” The reaction was overwhelming — applause, cheers, and even tears filled the plane as everyone realized the full extent of Hill’s kindness.
What made this moment even more impactful was the deep connection it forged with those onboard. One passenger shared a poignant reflection, writing on social media, “No cameras. No PR stunt. Just pure class.”
This simple truth set social media ablaze, with fans across the world praising Hill for showing the kind of leadership that cannot be measured in rushing yards or touchdown passes.
