PALM BEACH, Fla. – Titans coach Brian Callahan spoke to reporters here on Monday morning at the NFL owners meetings.
Callahan answered questions from local and national reporters during a 30-minute session.
Here's a look at some of the highlights:
-Callahan was asked about the team's current quarterback room, when he discussed Will Levis, Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle.
At the end of this video, he also touched on Miami quarterback Cam Ward (but he talked about him more in-depth later):
-Callahan said the Titans are getting "closer" to making a decision on what to do with the first overall pick. "We have another touchpoint with the two players at Colorado (Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter) with their Pro Day and a private workout with them. I'd say we're probably about two weeks away from being pretty darn close to what we want to do."
-Callahan said he wanted quarterback Will Levis to get away to California learn from QB guru Jordan Palmer. "Because I know Will puts the work in the way you are supposed to, and I know Jordan knows what he is doing. So, I think that combination will be beneficial." Callahan said he's talked with Palmer, and the team sent film to him to study ways they could improve his pocket movement and footwork. "We went over those things with Will, where we're looking for him to improve. … Really, it's not about the throwing for (Will), it's about his lower body more than anything else."
-Callahan said the Titans are weighing all options regarding picking a player at one, and making a trade to get a haul of draft picks. "I think you do your due diligence, and you weigh whatever it is that is being presented," Callahan said. "If (a trade offer) is something you feel like is beyond the value that you would have ever thought you could get, that's one thing. But then you also have to look at: What does a potential franchise quarterback look like? And if you think they're that good and they're that type of player, those guys to me are priceless. There is no price you can put on those players if you think they are that caliber of quarterback. You have to balance all those things." Callahan said the Titans are open for anything at this point.
-Callahan said there is no "leader in the clubhouse" as it relates to the top pick:
-Callahan talked in-depth about the improvement Ward has shown during his college career, from Incarnate Word to Washington State to Miami.
"You saw the flashes at Washington State," Callahan said. "Maybe it's a talent disparity, I don't think there is just a crazy swing in talent. But you saw the flashes, and then, all of a sudden, he gets to Miami and then you saw it consistently. And I think that just comes from playing. I think that's why these guys that have stayed in school longer, who are playing four and five years, and I think it's helping them because they're getting chances to get more reps and more opportunities and you see their games sort of smooth out, become more consistent, become more pro ready, is the best way to put it.
"So, you see that progression. You see his decision-making become more consistent, you see the accuracy become more consistent, over the course of his career. It's been really fun. I think I've watched almost every snap he's played, so it's been cool to see that real progression to where he is at now to where he came from. He's made a lot of really impressive improvements over his career so far."
-Callahan said he's excited about receiver Bryce Oliver and his potential. "I excited about what he can bring for us," Callahan said of the undrafted free agent. "He has to have a really good offseason, he has to make that next step. But I think he's up for it."
-Callahan had positive things about Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
The Titans plan to attend Colorado's Pro Day on Friday, and then hold a private workout for him on April 9.
-Callahan said he's hopeful center Lloyd Cushenberry will be available for the start of training camp after suffering an Achilles injury last season.
"Hopeful that Lloyd is ready for camp," Callahan said. "He is going to be right up there in that range for training camp, to be able to get cleared. But we're going to be patient, we'll take our time with it. Because big guys with those types of injuries you just want to make sure they are fully healthy. So we'll err on the side of caution as opposed to making sure he is back at a particular time. But we're hopefully that he is at the start of the season."
-Callahan said receiver Treylon Burks, who suffered a torn ACL last season, likely won't be ready for training camp but "potentially for the start of the season."
Burks said he wants to give Burks an opportunity, and the team needs players to step up at the position.
-Callahan said cornerback L'Jarius Sneed "should definitely be ready for camp" after an injury-shortened season in 2024. Callahan said Sneed has been in the building on a regular basis, and he thinks he's in a good place to bounce back in 2025. "I think he's trying to prove that he's one of the best corners in football," Callahan said.
-Asked about the "Tush Push", a play that has been perfected by the Eagles, Callahan said he doesn't have "an opinion that it needs to be out of football" and isn't pushing for the league to get rid of it.
-Callahan said he's counting on second-year players Cedric Gray and James Williams to step up at inside linebacker in 2025.
-Callahan said he spoke to JC Latham about moving to the right side, and he's excited about it after playing left tackle last season.
