Music City Miracles
Does Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan want to acquire a familiar veteran QB this offseason?
The Tennessee Titans need to acquire a new starting quarterback this offseason. First-year general manager Mike Borgonzi possesses a variety of opportunities to do that. Borgonzi owns the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, where he could choose to draft Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward as his next franchise quarterback.
Nobody could prevent the Titans from drafting one of the two quarterbacks. Alternatively, they could draft Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, or Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter. If Borgonzi opts for the latter scenario, or a trade down for a non-QB, they’ll have to at least add competition for Will Levis via free agency or a trade.
Some of the potential free agent quarterbacks include Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold, and Kirk Cousins. Darnold is on an expiring contract, and both Rodgers and Cousins are expected to be released by their fellow teams in the coming weeks. Despite those veteran names being available, perhaps Titans head coach Brian Callahan prefers a different experienced name altogether.
Two veteran quarterbacks who may or may not be available are Los Angeles Rams signal caller Matthew Stafford, and New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr. Both veteran arms remain under contract. Stafford has been the subject of unexpected trade rumors, as he’s apparently displeased with the team’s plans to trade Cooper Kupp. Carr has a bloated contract with the Saints, and new head coach Kellen Moore has been noncommittal regarding his status, though folks in league circles ultimately expect him to stay put.
Callahan possesses ties to both quarterbacks. He spent two campaigns (2016-17) as Stafford’s quarterback coach with the Detroit Lions. The following season (2018), Callahan was Carr’s quarterback coach with the Oakland Raiders.
Stafford and Carr would check several boxes for Callahan, including the familiarity one. But above all, their style of play matches Callahan’s non-negotiables at quarterback. They’re both rhythm-and-timing QBs who read defenses and throw the football with anticipation.
Perhaps most importantly, Callahan would be confident in his ability to compete for the postseason right away with Stafford or Carr as his quarterback. That’s important for Callahan, given he’s on the hot-seat after a 3-14 season. Acquiring a veteran quarterback wouldn’t necessarily match the slow-build approach Borgonzi and president of football operations Chad Brinker have discussed this offseason, but the Titans could always draft a QB to sit behind Stafford/Carr.
Will Carr and/or Stafford actually become available though? That’s the question Callahan probably wants answered.
