Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It took Titans one drive to show why they fired Brian Callahan

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 19, 2025 3:00 PM ET

Ahead of Week 7's game against the New England Patriots, the Tennessee Titans fired head coach Brian Callahan and named Mike McCoy the interim.

After a coaching change, it was reasonable to expect a slow start for the Titans' offense in Week 7. Instead, the unit had one of its best of the season.

Titans immediately generated points against Patriots

After scoring a field goal on their first drive of the game, things got even better for the Titans. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Chimere Dike. According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, the long pass was the team's first first-quarter TD of the season.

That's one of the few explosive plays the Titans have produced this season. Through six weeks, Tennessee ranked last in the league in yards per play (3.9) and second to last in points per game (13.8).

#Titans fire Brian Callahan and score their first 1st-quarter TD this season!

Cam Ward PA pass to Chimere Dike on a deep cross for a 38-yd TD.pic.twitter.com/OOZWofpVs7
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) October 19, 2025

Attribute the start to former Los Angeles Chargers HC McCoy tailoring the offense for Ward, who recently suggested he was uncomfortable in Callahan's system.

"Players not plays," McCoy said of his approach for Ward. "What does Cam do best? And what do we do best as an offense? ...We have to look at our scheme and what we are doing, and it's going to change from week to week."

McCoy must continue tinkering with the offense throughout the season to help Ward and Co. improve. In its past 23 games with Callahan at the helm, Tennessee went 4-19.

Barring some unanticipated turnaround, McCoy probably won't get promoted to full-time HC. But he could still play a key role in the development of 2025 No. 1 overall pick Ward.

Under his tutelage, the former Miami star could continue to show signs of progress after throwing three TD passes and four interceptions in his first six starts. That would make the Titans' head-coaching vacancy more attractive to offensive-minded coaches, such as Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy or Buffalo Bills OC Joe Brady.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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