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Should opposing NFL defenses fear the Cam Ward and Brian Callahan partnership?
Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan is tasked with developing rookie No. 1 overall quarterback Cam Ward this season. Coach Callahan is legitimately excited about having the talented Ward at his disposal this year. Who wouldn’t be, after enduring Will Levis and Mason Rudolph last season?
Coach Callahan has a lengthy resume of having worked with impressive quarterbacks. His CV includes Joe Burrow, Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford, and Derek Carr. He’s hoping to add Ward to that list.
NFL.Com’s Bucky Brooks recently listed five new quarterback-play-caller duos in the NFL that opposing defenses should be most worried about in 2025. There are actually more duos on this list than you realize. For example, the Houston Texans qualify, because CJ Stroud has a new OC.
Ward and Callahan made Brooks’ list!
“The marriage between the No.1 overall pick and Joe Burrow’s former tutor should add some spice to the Titans’ 26th-ranked offense that lacked pizzazz and pop with Will Levis under center in 2024,” Brooks wrote.
“With Ward bringing the talent, tools and tenacity that reminds me of a young Steve McNair, the Titans have a quarterback with the “alpha dawg” persona to lead an eye-popping offensive transformation in Nashville. As a pinpoint passer with the capacity to drop dimes from various arm angles, the rookie should easily connect with Calvin Ridley, Van Jefferson and Tyler Lockett racing down the field on crossers and diagonal routes, which will enable the Titans to showcase their QB1’s elite arm talent and impeccable timing.”
It’s hard not to get excited about the Callahan-Ward partnership when reading Brooks’ take. Earlier this offseason, Callahan discussed revisiting his rookie-year work with Burrow to prepare for developing a young quarterback. He’s attempting to build the most comfortable environment imaginable around Ward.
Brooks also discussed how Ward’s presence will allow Callahan to expand his playbook. It felt like Callahan was working with half his playbook last season as a result of Levis’ penchant for untimely sacks and turnovers, paired with an offensive line that couldn’t protect the quarterback. All those factors should be significantly improved this season with Ward under center, and Dan Moore Jr. and Kevin Zeitler upgrading the offensive line.
“Moreover, Ward’s superb passing skills will allow Callahan to utilize more pages of his creative playbook to punish defenses for overloading the box to slow down Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears in the backfield,” Brooks continued. “Considering how Ward orchestrated dramatic turnarounds at Incarnate Word, Washington State and Miami, he could help Tennessee quickly become an offensive juggernaut in the AFC.”
Hopefully Coach Callahan proves why he’s the ideal coach to develop Ward this season.
