As the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans continue their search for their next head coach, it seems that both franchises could be competing for the same red-hot candidate on the head coach market.
While they had different records in the 2023 season, the Panthers and Titans finished in the same position in the NFL standings — dead last in their respective divisions. Unsurprisingly, the two organizations fired their head coaches, but those decisions were made for reasons beyond the team’s records this season.
Related: Carolina Panthers reach out to future Hall of Famer for head coaching vacancy
Carolina was a laughing stock in 2023 despite using the top pick in last year’s draft on quarterback Bryce Young and investing a good bit of money in free agents to make his rookie season transition that much easier. They also hired offensive guru Frank Reich as head coach to guide the young QB and the unit to success. Instead, they were one of the worst offenses in the league and Young looked like he could be a draft bust.
Tennessee made a bold decision but firing Mike Vrabel after the season despite multiple trips to the postseason and winning the NFL Coach of the Year Award in 2021, because his relationship with the team’s general manager began to deteriorate.
The two organization’s choices have put added pressure on their current searches because the front offices for both teams have to prove their decision was the right one and not a rash reaction to a frustrating season.
Brian Callahan being brought in for second interview with Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans
Yet, despite big-name head coaches like Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll, and Jim Harbaugh being available, it looks like both organizations are looking to go the route of bringing in a fresh-faced candidate with limited head coach experience. And it seems both franchises are quickly becoming fans of one particular contender from the AFC.
On Sunday, NFL Media league insider Tom Pelissero reported that the Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, and Atlanta Falcons all plan to bring Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan in for a second interview this week with him “emerging as a hot head coaching candidate.”
Related: Unpopular candidate has ‘legit shot’ to become Carolina Panthers general manager in 2024
Callahan has been the Bengals OC for the last five seasons and is considered a major part of Joe Burrow’s evolution into being one of the top quarterbacks in the league. After Burrow was sidelined late in the season, he proved he was a major factor in how good the offense has been when rookie Jake Browning came in and had some surprisingly impressive performances to keep them in the playoff chase.