The Tennessee Titans hired Brian Callahan last offseason to modernize their offense. That obviously backfired in 2024. The Titans averaged the seventh-fewest (304.2) yards per game, and seventh-fewest passing yards (195.1) per contest. Lackluster quarterback play from Will Levis and Mason Rudolph, paired with terrible offensive line play, were massive contributing factors. It definitely wasn’t all on Callahan.
Unsurprisingly, generating explosive plays was difficult in 2024. The Titans recorded 30
plays that gained 25-plus yards last season, according to Warren Sharp. Only eight teams recorded fewer.
There was hope that offensive reinforcements would lead to more success in 2025. No. 1 overall quarterback Cam Ward already looks like a massive upgrade on Levis and Rudolph. Kevin Zeitler and Dan Moore are supposed to help upgrade the offensive line. The cast of weapons is suspect, but three pass catchers were drafted to grow alongside Ward.
Despite all that promise, the Titans didn’t generate explosive plays against the Denver Broncos in Week 1. Using the traditional definition of explosives (20+ passes & 10+ runs), the Titans created one such play. It was the off-script Ward pass to Tony Pollard on the third play from scrimmage that gained 29 yards. It was a moment of individual brilliance from Ward.
Technically, the Titans did create a second explosive on Sunday. The Ward pass to Elic Ayomamor on the elbow-tap near the sideline that resulted in the communication mishap would have gained approximately 22 yards had Callahan challenged the play. Alas, it didn’t count.
Ward ultimately threw for 112 yards. He was sacked six times. The Titans did not have a single rushing attempt that gained 10-plus yards. Pollard’s longest run went for nine, and Chimere Dike had a nine-yard rush as well. After Week 1, the Titans rank 32nd in net yards (133) and passing yards (62).
Week 2 will bring similar challenges versus a stout Los Angeles Rams defense. Callahan and the Titans need to find answers. The Rams held the Houston Texans to nine points in Week 1. CJ Stroud threw for 188 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. The Texans generated four explosives, including a 14-yard Stroud scramble. They gained just 265 yards of offense and converted 2-of-9 third downs.
Callahan needs to scheme up ways to help Ward hit explosives.
