NASHVILLE – Welcome to the last weekend of 2024.
And, to the next-to-last game for the Tennessee Titans.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.
Now, it's on to New Year's Eve.
And, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
But first, another Titans mailbag.
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
William Young from Las Vegas, Nevada
Question: Hi Jim, I pray that all is well. If I know my team well the Titans will do this one more thing for the season to be a complete Disaster! My Titans will when the last 2 games and drop themselves from 4th to 10th pick in the draft! Why, just because they are my Titans!
Like I've been saying for over 40 years now, "Maybe Next Season!" Have a Merry Christmas Jim!
Jim: We'll see, William. But that's what stinks about seasons like this. Win games, and some fans are mad. Lose games, and some fans are happy. Happy New Year!
Chris B from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Question: Jim, I wrote in last week regarding the GM communicating to the fans about the current direction of the team and what the vision is, but understand I didn't make the cut with the other opinions. I stand by that. Silence only fuels our discontent. I understand the coach giving a blanket "we all need to improve " and "there was some positives". He needs to keep the locker room. However I feel the GM needs to keep the fan base. When we hear nothing we feel that this is either ok or that there is no plan to fix. If the plan they had didn't work out, then tell us. Tell us what the new one is. If it's a 3 year rebuild, so be it. I chose to express this last week vs criticism, but after Sunday I'd like to know why, even with low preseason expectations, we have not only failed to improve, we've digressed. We had some competitive games early, but 300 yards on the ground, constantly giving up 3 or more turnovers, still allowing longer returns..it is just disheartening to see a half empty stadium, of which is half other fans. Still no one gets in front of a microphone and tells us WHY this is failing, and WHAT is the plan. The silence is deafening.
Jim: I've covered this team since 1999, Chris, and I can't ever remember a GM giving a "state of the franchise" press conference during the season, whether things are going good or bad. All the GMs I've been around have let the head coach handle the media in season, and then they address things after the season. This is the norm across the league. We'll have to wait and see what transpires after the season.
Steve Kwiczak from Strathmore, Alberta, Canada
Question: Good day Jim and a best of the holidays to you and your family. I do not really have a question more thoughts on this team as it moves forward towards the off=season. Now I know the following will get a lot of Titans fans up in arms but Hear me out. I do not believe it is time to move on from Will Levis. He has not had a great team around him and the QB pool in this years draft is slim, lets not make the mistakes Chicago, and the Jets have made over and over by rotating QB's through without fixing the other positions first.
I do know Jim, that you do not like looking towards the draft while the season is still in progress, that said it is really all the fans have to look forward to currently. So my thoughts are use this draft to fill some holes on this roster. Starting with the left tackle out of Texas (Kelvin Banks), this allows Latham to move back to right tackle. Then address right guard in a later round, fill out the rest of the roster first.
Levis is under contract, its a far deeper QB pool in the next draft....and with a better (in theory) lineup next season we will get a far better feel for whether Will is the guy or not. By no means am I convinced he is, but I am also not convinced there is a better choice in this coming draft nor in free agency.
Thanks for all you do and again to you and all my fellow Titans fans the best of the holidays
Jim: Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Steve. I, too, am not convinced any of the quarterbacks in the upcoming draft are can't-miss prospects. And, I know some of the potential free agents could command a boatload of money, and come with no guarantees either. Plus, there will be competition for them. The team is in quite a spot at QB, with some decisions to make.
Joe Allen from Gainesboro, Tennessee
Question: Having watched the Colts game on Sunday, I wonder why we did not let Levis finish the season? With only those 3 games left, why not let him? It is not fair for him to be benched when we have an OL that is horrible! How many sacks has he taken this year? It is a wonder how he is still standing! With pass rusher with gleam in their eyes to sack, one can see why he rushes to get rid of the ball and makes mistakes! I did not count every snap, but it seems as though we run on first down, run on second, pass on third and then punt! Correct me if I am wrong, but when you don't change things up on the play calling, you get what you get! Just when is the play calling of Callie going to be questioned? Yes, we have issues with some players, but it starts with the coaching and play calling! Enough is enough! And we are going to fill a new stadium soon? Good luck with that one! Have you see the pricing? As a past season ticket holder, I see more sad days coming! Just my 2 cents worth! Thanks for listening Jim and Merry Christmas to you and yours! Remember the reason for the season!
Jim: A lot in here, Joe. Some quick thoughts: I've said myself I would've let Levis finish the season, but I understand why the decision was made. … As for the play-calling, also keep in mind play-calling can be limited when the o-line has problems protecting the QB. … I have seen the pricing in the new stadium, and while some areas of the stadium are pricey, there are a lot of affordable options as well. It's the NFL – tickets are not going to be cheap. And, ticket sales in the new stadium are going very well.
Rob Haye from Ontario, Canada
Question: Well Jim, only 2 more weeks left of this "blankity blank of a show" and put a wrap on this season.
Is Siemian still on practice squad, Callahan keeps saying he is waiting to decide on which quarterback will start next week that give them the best chance of winning, well the current two on the roster can't win so why not let the #3 guy have some fun, couldn't do any worse.
I really don't believe that Callahan is going to be long term HC in Tennessee. This is an absolute train wreck, and our defense is the 2nd worst in points allowed, can't stop anyone in the red zone at all.
Really don't see how this is going to get any better in 2025 with this roster or the coaching staff.
Oh yeah, losing not so bad as we moved up another couple of spots in the draft order, maybe that's the plan all along, put on a show for the fans but don't win. At least they are executing on that game plan.
Happy Holidays
Jim: Mason Rudolph is starting at QB on Sunday, Rob.
Scott Pauley from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: I hope you and yours are doing well, Jim :)
I just wanted to say that i believe in Coach Callahan despite how rough his first season has been.
One offseason and one regular season wouldn't have been enough for any coach to come in here with Mr. Carthon and fix EVERYTHING. It took us several seasons to get here and we now know it will take at least one more offseason before things get fixed. And to boot, the things needing fixed are Offensive line and Quarterback, which are each huge elements of a winning team. Elements that have been up and down this season, causing multiple losses.
Callahan has just gotten started. Give the man the best right guard and right tackle money can buy, and I genuinely think that the Titans WILL flip the script next season.
Whether that will be with Will Levis or another QB, is another story.
Thanks for everything you do Jim :)
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Scott.
Steve Furry from Cape Canaveral, Florida
Question: Hello Jim. Thank you so much for keeping us informed this year. You do a great job. Merry Christmas to you and your Family.
Jim: I appreciate it, Steve. Hope all is well.
Jeff Archey from Cleveland, Tennessee
Question: No question, just a season end thank you, Jim for your work. Let's get through the next two games the best we can, learn what needs improving, sit down, plan and fix it. I'm still around, Titans and look forward to the off season. When one is in the valley, the view of the mountain is sweet…and when you climb it, it is sweeter. Go Titans…and go Jim Wyatt!
Jim: Much appreciated, Jeff. Happy New Year!
Linda Gregory from Dickson, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim, Since the Steelers played on Saturday (of last week), my husband and I watched the Titans on Sunday. He went outside after the first half, while I stayed and finished watching. While disappointed that they lost, I was glad to see some fire still in most of the players. I'm no expert by any means but watching the tackling during the game it sure looks like more practice at this is in order. Reading the comments of your last mailbag, I'm disappointed that so many fans offer negative opinions but do nothing more than that. Do you think anyone on the ownership team listens to the catcalls? Thanks again for your input
Jim: Good to hear from you again, Linda. I think ownership is certainly in tune with the vibe of the fan base. Hope your husband's Christmas wasn't ruined by that performance of the Steelers on Christmas Day…
Richard Robles from Springfield, Tennessee
Question: Hi, Jim. C'mon! We need to win a game! We just need to win a game! Right now we need to focus on winning against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Week 17. We need a win! I think we need to just win! We need a win! Let us win a game and get a better game to win! Titan Up!
Jim: Way to close us out, Richard.
Have a great weekend everyone!
