CORAL GABLES, Fla. – While waiting for quarterback Cam Ward to throw at Miami's Pro Day on Monday, Coach Brian Callahan was presented with what's been a popular line of thinking from plenty of NFL observers, in the form of a question:
By passing on some of the bigger name, bigger contract quarterbacks in free agency, did the Titans signal they're picking one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL Draft?
Callahan said it's too early to jump to conclusions as the team continues to evaluate Ward, Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and the other quarterbacks in this year's draft class.
Callahan also paid veteran quarterback Brandon Allen a nice compliment while sharing his thoughts on some of the team's moves in free agency.
"I don't think you can make that assumption," Callahan said of the team's potential draft plans. "And I don't think people have enough respect for what Brandon Allen is. I think Brandon is a good quarterback. I think you watch him play and what he has done in his career, he's a guy that can play. He is a good quarterback. You are judging from a pool of guys (in free agency) that are all very similar, one way or another, and everyone has opinions on who is better, this, that or the other. Ultimately, Brandon has played 10 years for a reason."
The Titans signed the 32-year-old Allen earlier this month, when he joined Will Levis on the roster.
On Wednesday, the team also signed veteran Tim Boyle, who has played in 23 career games, with five starts.
News of Boyle's signing came after Callahan spoke about Allen, who has played in 18 games, with 10 starts, while playing games for the Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers.
Allen, who has thrown for 1,810 yards with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his career, spent the 2024 season as Brock Purdy's back-up with the 49ers. Allen was Joe Burrow's back-up with the Bengals from 2020-2022, when Callahan was an assistant in Cincinnati.
Callahan said the Titans were in conversations with quarterback Mason Rudolph before he opted to sign with the Steelers, "but ultimately he chose to go to Pittsburgh because he probably feels there's a path to play there."
No matter who ends up at quarterback for the Titans in 2025, the QB will be playing behind a revamped offensive line with the addition of left tackle Dan Moore, guard Kevin Zeitler and the versatile Blake Hance.
"Very happy with where we're at," Callahan said. "I think Dan Moore Jr. is sort of a two-fold improvement because it allows JC (Latham) to (go to right tackle). It allows us to have two really good tackles, guys who have played. And getting Zeitler in there, just a veteran presence and the level he's played at at his age, it is pretty remarkable. He has been phenomenal, and he was outstanding last year in Detroit. And even Blake Hance, he has been a premier sixth lineman who has played guard and tackle in games. I feel like we have improved our depth and improved our starting lineup."
The Titans signed former Broncos linebacker Cody Barton, and traded linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. to the Cowboys.
"We like him a lot," Callahan said of Barton. "A really productive player the last couple of years."
The team made some big changes on special teams, under the direction of new special teams coordinator John Fassel.
The Titans signed veteran punter Johnny Hekker, instead of re-signing Ryan Stonehouse, who ended up joining the Dolphins. The team signed former Patriots kicker Joey Slye, instead of re-signing Nick Folk.
"It's not anything necessarily against Stoney or anything like that," Callahan said. "It's just a regime change when it comes to special teams, and a lot of things needed to be changed. He got caught up in that change.
"Nick Folk is unbelievable – he was remarkable last year. I love Nick and what he did for us. But it's a chance for us to get a little younger, and the kickoff portion of things is important. And, if you look at Slye's misses, a lot of them were from 55-plus because they've attempted a lot of them over his career. I am excited about him. He has some power and some long-hitting ability which is good."
Callahan said he's also excited about being reunited with receiver Van Jefferson, the Ravenwood High star who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season.
As an assistant, Callahan coached Jefferson at the Senior Bowl years ago.
"I have always been a fan of his," Callahan said of Jefferson, "and I've always known his dad (Shawn) for a long time, too. Van has made his own way, and I really liked him at the Senior Bowl when we had him. He has proven to be what we thought he would be, which is a steady, consistent player in the league, and he's found a way to play a long time. I am excited about Van and I think he can help us."
Defensively, the Titans signed safety Xavier Woods, and edge rushers Dre'Mont Jones and Lorenzo Carter.
"He has been a steady, consistent player, and he has some veteran leadership, too, which is good. I liked what he did in Carolina last year," Callahan said. "We're just trying to add some depth in the safety room, and to get a guy like Xavier who has started a lot of games and played a lot of football, it's great. He brings a wealth of experience on the back end.
"(Dre'Mont) is going to be an outside backer for us, but he has some inside rush flexibility and he has been productive as a rusher inside. He's big in strong, was really productive in Denver and in Seattle it didn't work out, but I think he'll be good for us. Same thing for Zo Carter – he is that big, long, kind of SAM outside linebacker, and he has some flex.
"We are trying to get bigger at the outside linebacker spot, more physical on the edges. And now you have a couple of guys you can move around with Arden (Key) as well. Arden is a pretty good interior rusher, too. So we have a little more versatility and pieces, and a little more depth on top of it."
Callahan said he'd like to find one more offensive lineman for interior depth, as well as another receiver (the team signed receiver/returner James Proche on Wednesday), "just to bring up the floor a bit, and there are a couple of guys out there, and we'll be looking down those avenues.
"And we're always looking for defensive linemen," Callahan said. "But I think for sure, another vet receiver, another vet lineman, and maybe another vet corner somewhere, too."
