Bleav Crossover Show: Titans vs. Bears

The Tennessee Titans opted not to use their franchise or transition tags on running back Derrick Henry or anyone else. Instead, general manager Ran Carthon and the rest of the personnel staff held opted to look ahead to the free agency signing period, which starts in a week. Tennessee will enter the start of the new league year more than $75 million under the salary cap, which means it has more to spend than all but two other NFL franchises. ... After a 6-11 season, the Titans have no shortage of personnel needs, which means there are plenty of potential free-agent targets available. We look at who Carthon and Co. might want at obvious positions of need such as tackle or wide receiver as well as other spots. ... In stark contrast to Tennessee, the Buffalo Bills have shed salary in recent days and have cut a handful of notable players, at least of couple of whom ought to be of interest to the Titans. ... Similarly, the Philadelphia Eagles recently released Kevin Bayrd. So, what is likely next for the former Tennessee Titans safety? ... Free agency is bound to shape what the Titans do in the draft overall, but what happens with the first six overall picks in that draft will be the biggest factor in what the Titans do with their first selection, No. 7 overall. The apparent rise of one quarterback prospect could play a prominent role in that scenario. ... Since it looks as if Henry is headed to free agency, what is his most likely destination for the 2024 season?

The Tennessee Titans started the week with three more additions to their coaching staff. One new assistant coach has direct ties to the head man, Brian Callahan. Another, like Callahan, is a second-generation coach. ... As the NFL free agency period approaches, the Titans have made no noticeable moves to retain any players whose contracts will soon expire. They also have a bunch of money to spend once the signing period commences. ... Some big-name wide receivers around the league are in the final weeks of their current contracts and could be available soon, but the one guy among them who makes the most sense (and who most excites the fan base) likely will not be available once the time comes. ... Largely overlooked among Tennessee's current needs is an experienced backup quarterback who can help Will Levis and keep the offense going, if needed. One such player who has proven himself in that regard (and who has beaten the Titans) is headed to free agency and makes a lot of sense. ... Cornerback is another area of need. It is also a challenge to find the right fit at that position on the free-agent market. ... After free agency comes the draft. Right now, the Titans have the seventh overall pick (first round) and 38th overall pick (second round) with no third-round selection. Which would be better: Make those two picks as scheduled early in those rounds or trade one or both in order to amass more selections overall? ... Like every other team, Tennessee still has time to re-sign some of its players and keep them from free agency. Among those in that situation, there is one member of the 2023 Titans who franchise officials should do what they can to make sure he is a member of the 2024 Titans.

Not long ago, in two regular-season meetings and one postseason matchup, the Tennessee Titans looked every bit the equal of the Kansas City Chiefs, or as close to it as any NFL team. Now, like every other franchise, the Titans are looking up at the Chiefs, winners of three of the last five Super Bowls, and trying to figure out how to match up. ... A look back at Sunday's Super Bowl LVIII, how Kansas City won and the challenge of dealing with the combination of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid. ... The big game, of course, stirred memories of the Titans' lone Super Bowl appearance, and Denard Walker recalled a meaningful show of support from then-coach Jeff Fisher following that defeat against the St. Louis Rams. ... Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson invoked General George Patton when asked about how he will run that unit under coach Brian Callahan. It is an approach that should excite the players in the system and should look familiar to long-time Tians fans given its ties for former Titans coach Jeff Fisher and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. ... Offensive coordinator Nock Holz sais he expects "speed, detail and execution" from his unit. One of those things currently is in short supply with that unit. ... The position coaches include two have been Titans assistants, previously. Tracy Rocker (defensive line) and Frank Bush (linebackers) filled those same roles under Mike Munchak, who was head coach from 2011-13.

It is Super Bowl week, and Denard Walker reflects on how he navigated the myriad media responsibilities he and the rest of the Tennessee Titans faced ahead of their meeting with the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV. ...  The prevailing wisdom among this panel is that the Kansas City Chiefs look like the team to beat this week because of A) the continued greatness of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and B) a better defense than they have had in other recent championship seasons. ... The Titans' new offensive coordinator Nick Holz, who does not have a lengthy professional résumé but who goes back a long way with coach Brian Callahan -- all the way to high school, in fact. ... Holz won't be the play-caller on offense, but his history suggests he can make a significant impact even if he does not perform high-profile duties. ... One reported member of the new coaching staff is former Titants defense back Steve Jackson, who was an important -- if not omnipresent -- member of the franchise's 1999 Super Bowl team. Like Holz, Jackson has some personal history with Callahan, albeit their connection only goes back a few years when they were assistant coaches with the Cincinnati Bengals. ... Former Titans coach Mike Vrabel still has not found a job, and one report in recent days offers a bizarre and tough-to-believe reason for why that is. As of now, it seems that Vrabel will end up with -- in some capacity -- his best friend as a part of a high-profile college football program.

It already is clear that new Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan plans to overhaul significantly the team's coaching staff. ... There have been no official announcements about assistant coaches, but the latest reporting indicates that the Cleveland Browns granted Bill Callahan -- Brian Callahan's father and a long-time, well-respected offensive line coach -- permission to explore the possibility of joining his son's staff. The report further indicates that the Browns won't stand in his way if he wants to leave them. ... The elder Callahan will be the second position coach on offense to be hired. Reports already indicate that Tyke Tolbert, who spent the past two seasons with the Chicago Bears, will fill that role. One of the members of this podcast actually was coached by Tolbert more than two decades ago. ... Dennard Wilson, who spent last season as Baltimore's defensive backs coach and the two seasons before that in the same position with Philadelphia, reportedly has been tapped to serve as defensive coordinator. A rising star, Wilson reportedly had other opportunities this offseason and likely would have had even more had he waited, but he opted to take on the opportunity to lead the Titans' defense. ... With all of the NFL's head coaching vacancies now filled, former coach Mike Vrabel seems destined to sit out the 2024 season. With no significant record as a defensive coordinator, that seems like an unlikely option for him even if he wanted to get back to work quickly. The real question now seems to be how much of the time off he will use to reflect on the reasons for his dismissal and whether he will do some things differently when (of if) he gets another opportunity to be a head coach.

The episode begins with a nod to a former Tennessee Titans linebacker, Terry Killens, who will make history when Super Bowl LVII is played in Las Vegan. ... Brian Callahan's first public act as Tennessee Titans head coach was an introductory press conference Thursday. The 49-year-old son of former Oakland Raiders head coach Bill Callahan showed much emotion when he discussed those who influenced him most in his professional journey but did not display much of an ego when he reviewed the career path he traveled that got him to this point. ... In previous jobs, Callahan worked with accomplished quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford and Derek Carr well into their respective careers. He noted that things he learned from those players should help him as he works to develop current Titans quarterback Will Levis. ... Callahan says he is eager to meet his new players, but Denard Walker says the majority of those introductions will have to wait. Most players won't be around the facility for the next few months. ... Callahan has not been a head coach at any level of football, but he does have the benefit of having watched his father do it and having spent time in NFL facilities as a youngster. He also has the benefit of the past five seasons as offensive coordinator with the Cincinnati Bengals under Zac Taylor, who effectively groomed Callahan for this opportunity. ... The same day she signed Callahan to a contract, controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk promoted Ran Carthon to executive vice president/general manager, which makes him the final voice on all personnel decisions. Additionally, Chad Brinker was promoted to president of football operations, which places him second in line behind Carthon. ... The moves eliminate any chance for Callahan to make an early grab for power and provides clarity in the decision-making process. It is not clear, however, whether this was a good decision or a means for Adams Strunk to pass the buck.

A week into their search for a new head coach, the Tennessee Titans have confirmed interviews with four candidates, Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike McDonald, N.Y. Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Las Vegas interim head coach Antonio Pierce and Cincinnati offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. According to reports, they have requested permission to interview 10 coaches, some of whose teams remain alive in the NFL playoffs. ... Callahan looks like the first to emerge as a serious candidate, and his family ties could make for an interesting addition to his staff. ... Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is on his list. While he never has been a head coach, his work as an assistant has been well-received by players with his current and former franchises. ... Most of those the Titans want to interview also have drawn interest from other teams in search of a coach. If it comes down to it, does Tennessee have enough in its favor that someone would choose to coach the Titans over another team? ... Thus far, former coach Mike Vrabel has not drawn a lot of reported interest. That either means his work with the Titans was not as highly regarded as some might think or he simply plans to sit out a year or more before he returns to an NFL sideline. ... While he says he will be forever a Titan, Derrick Henry's latest public comments suggest that he will be on a different sideline in a different uniform in 2024 -- and he is fine with that. The soon-to-be free agent says the most important thing at this stage of hs career is to be with a team that has a legitimate chance to win the Super Bowl.

Tennessee Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk fired coach Mike Vrabel on Tuesday, two days after the final game of the 2023 season. Vrabel is the third-winningest coach in franchise history and one of three to guide the team at least as far as the AFC Championship game. ... The decision was not necessarily a shock, given reports about his job status in recent weeks. However, Strunk offered no concrete answer to the question of why she made the move, and general manager Ran Carthon followed up with even less clarity on the issue at a press conference. Similarly, no one was willing – or able – to provide any detail about what they hope to find in Vrabel's replacement. ... Vrabel was 6-18 over his final 24 regular season contests, but posted a winning record (54-45) overall. Plus, his winning percentage in games decided by seven points or fewer was even better, and his winning percentage in games decided by three points or fewer was even better than that. Regardless of overall talent, his teams displayed consistency in several key areas that will be difficult to replicate. ... The general thinking is that Vrabel, the 2021 NFL Coach of the Year, will get another job as quickly as he wants to get back to work. At present, there are six other NFL franchises in search of a head coach, but his ultimate destination might be someplace else. ... Sunday's 28-20 victory over Jacksonville was a satisfying end to an otherwise disappointing season, and a fitting way to close the book on the Titans' tenures of two notable performers, Derrick Henry and Rayn Tannehill – and ultimately their head coach.

No one could say the Tennessee Titans were mailing it in. Although they had lost three of their last four headed into Sunday's game at Houston, all three defeats were in games that went down to the end of regulation or beyond and the victory was a come-from-behind affair in the closing minutes at Miami. The 26-3 loss, which dropped them to 5-11 and left them four games behind their division foes, looked like something completely different. ... This Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium will conclude the 2023 season -- and will provide the Titans with one more opportunity to win a division game. Thus far, they are 0-5 against AFC South opponents. Since realignment in 2002, Tennessee never has failed to win at least one division game. ... The effect of mounting defeats and continuing personnel issues showed Monday when coach Mike Vrabel let loose with a bit of profanity during a press conference. He apologized two days later, but his choice of words spoke volumes about the current emotional state of the man in charge. ... The rumor mill continues to spin with speculation that Vrabel and general manager Ran Carthon do not have a strong working relationship. Recent reports suggest that Vrabel, who is under contract beyond this season, could force his way out and try to find a more comfortable opportunity for the future. Vrabel was asked about the reports this week and expressed his desire to keep the job he has had for nearly six years now. ... Despite the offense's deficiencies, particularly on the line, running back Derrick Henry has topped 1,000 rushing yards for the fifth time in six years, and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins topped 1,000 receiving yards in his first year with the team. Both achievements are notable in their ways. ... There is no question that Will Levis is Tennessee's quarterback of the future. For the second time in recent weeks, though, his status for the next game is in doubt because of an injury. Once again, there is no indication that coaches want to see what second-year quarterback Malik Willis can do or to showcase the 2022 third-round pick for a potential offseason trade.

The Tennessee Titans' latest defeat, 19-16 in overtime against the Houston Texans, was surprisingly similar to their previous one, two weeks earlier against the Indianapolis Colts. ... This loss officially eliminated them from playoff contention and left them with a 5-9 record, which guarantees a second straight losing season. ... For the second time this season, the Titans' starting quarterback sustained a high ankle sprain. The first time it happened, rookie Will Levis stepped in for Ryan Tannehill and ultimately supplanted Tannehill as the full-time starter. Now, Levis is hurt, and Tannehill is poised to step in and play in place of Levis. ... Once again, second-year quarterback Malik Willis appears to have merited little if any consideration as the starter. That makes it seem increasingly that the end of Willis' time in Tennessee is rapidly approaching. ... Levis was injured when he was sacked for the seventh time by the Texans' defense, a play that capped another forgettable performance for the offensive line. ... Likewise, that line did nothing to help running back Derrick Henry, who endured roughly his worst day as a pro. The question as Henry nears the end of his current contract is whether age finally caught up with him or if he simply has been victimized by sub-par blocking during his eighth NFL season. ... Henry and Tannehill are among the Titans' most prominent players who are set to become free agents this offseason. But it is a member of the defense who looks like one player franchise officials should do all they can to re-sign. ... The Seattle Seahawks come to town Sunday fresh off a big, come-from-behind victory on Monday night, just as the Titans did a week earlier. Is there any reason that Tennessee can do to Seattle as Houston did to Tennessee?