3 Best Coaching Options to Maximize Titans' Will Levis in 2024
The Tennessee Titans made the stunning decision to part with head coach Mike Vrabel after the regular season. Vrabel had delivered a winning record in four of his six seasons and made the playoffs three times, but after consecutive losing seasons, Tennessee decided to change course.
"As I continued to assess the state of our team, I arrived at the conclusion that the team would also benefit from the fresh approach and perspective of a new coaching staff," franchise controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in an interview posted by the team (h/t ESPN).
The Titans will move forward without Vrabel and perhaps with 2023 second-round pick Will Levis as their quarterback of the future. Here, we'll examine three coaching candidates who have already been linked to Tennessee and who can best maximize the talents of the second-year signal-caller.
Ben Johnson
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The Titans have requested an interview with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and Johnson is a logical candidate.
In Detroit, Johnson helped revitalize the career of Jared Goff. He also created a multi-layered scheme that can win at the point of attack while creating open running lanes and good receiver spacing.
This past season, the Lions finished ranked fifth in yards per carry, third in net yards per pass attempt, third in total yards and fifth in scoring.
That Johnson has been able to yield success with the athletically limited Goff is impressive. With Levis' combination of scrambling ability and arm strength, Johnson could presumably open up his offense even more.
The caveat, of course, is that Tennessee lacks the premier talents at receiver and running back that Detroit has. With Derrick Henry set to become a free agent, Tennessee has work to do at both positions.
However, if the Titans can find a strong supporting cast for Levis, Johnson can get the most out of the offense.
Bobby Slowik
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Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik might be even better suited for the Titans, given their lack of elite skill players.
This past season, Slowik helped rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud become an instant star. He also helped elevate players like receiver Nico Collins, rookie wideout Tank Dell and running back Devin Singletary—and he did it with one of the league's most underwhelming offensive lines.
Stroud threw for an astounding 4,108 yards with 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Houston went on to win the AFC South, a fact that can't be lost on the Titans.
Slowik found ways to create easy completions for his rookie quarterback, and not just on short- and intermediate-range throws. Stroud was one of the league's most impressive deep-ball passers in 2023, ranking second in adjusted air yards per attempt.
The Titans could expect Slowik to get more out of receivers like DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks, along with running back Tyjae Spears, who may be set to replace Henry in 2024. His deep-passing concepts would also mesh perfectly with the strong-armed Levis.
Brian Callahan
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If Tennessee's primary goal is to get more out of Levis—who finished with 1,908 yards in nine starts—Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan should be on its radar.
Callahan has helped oversee the development of Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. Perhaps more importantly, though, he helped backup Jake Browning play like a quality starter after Burrow was lost for the season in 2023.
Browning threw for 1,936 yards and posted a 98.4 passer rating while completing 70.4 percent of his passes in nine games with seven starts. The Bengals do boast top-tier receivers in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but Callahan still deserves a ton of credit for adapting to the loss of Burrow.
If Callahan can turn Browning, a 2019 undrafted free agent, into an above-average starter, he should be able to do the same for Levis.
It's worth noting that Bengals head coach Zac Taylor handles much of the play-calling duties in Cincinnati, but Callahan has been behind the preparation and the game planning. He knows what it takes to produce elite quarterback play, and he'd have a strategy for Levis to approach that level.
*Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.
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