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Titans' Brian Callahan shows clear frustration with Tennessee media | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 0:02 GMT by Sporting News
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Titans’ Defensive Coordinator Brian Callahan’s “Clear Frustration” With Tennessee Media

In a week that has already seen the Tennessee Titans scrambling to keep the team’s morale high, defensive coordinator Brian Callahan took a surprisingly raw stance on the local media. After a lopsided loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4, Callahan – who joined the Titans’ staff in 2021 after a long tenure with the Baltimore Ravens – made a public statement that many observers interpreted as a clear sign of frustration with how the local press has been covering the team’s defensive woes. The comments, which were posted on the Titans’ official website and amplified by local news outlets, have sparked debate about the relationship between a team’s coaching staff and the media.

The Moment That Sparked the Fallout

The Titans’ defense has struggled to find its footing in the first half of the 2025 NFL season. While the offense, led by quarterback Ryan Tannehill, has been relatively consistent, the backfield has been a source of concern, ranking near the bottom of the league in total yards allowed. The Jaguars’ offense, however, exploited gaps in the Titans’ secondary and front line, scoring 37 points in a game that left many Titans fans and analysts questioning the coaching staff’s strategy.

Following the game, Callahan was pressed in a post‑game interview by a local sports reporter, who asked him to explain the defensive breakdown and whether any changes would be made. Callahan’s response was terse and pointed: “We’ve been working on this all season. The media keeps coming at us with questions that, frankly, we don’t have the answers to right now,” he said. He went on to say that he was not going to repeat the same explanations and that the Titans’ focus would be on “getting back to the fundamentals” before addressing the external narratives.

While the interview appeared on the Titans’ own media page, it was quickly picked up by the Tennessee State Journal and the Knoxville News Sentinel, where editors highlighted Callahan’s candidness and framed it as “a clear sign of frustration with the local media.” The headline reads: “Titans Brian Callahan Shows Clear Frustration With Tennessee Media.”

The Backstory: Media Scrutiny in the Titans’ Frustrating Season

Callahan’s frustration is not happening in a vacuum. Since the Titans were placed in the NFC South, local media coverage has intensified, with a particular focus on the defense. Over the past few weeks, the Knoxville News Sentinel ran a series of articles titled “Defensive Dissonance: Why the Titans Can’t Find a Rhythm” and “Callahan on the Brink: Will the Titans Bounce Back?”

The series highlighted the defensive coordinator’s transition from the Ravens to the Titans, noting that Callahan had been instrumental in Baltimore’s success, where his defense ranked in the top five in the NFL in both 2019 and 2020. However, at Tennessee, the defensive unit’s performance has been underwhelming, and the local press has been quick to criticize both the coaching staff and player execution. Callahan, in past interviews, has repeatedly mentioned the difficulty of adapting to the Titans’ roster and the challenge of integrating a young group of defensive linemen with seasoned players.

Callahan’s Words and the Wider Implications

In his statement, Callahan was clear that the media’s questions were “disrespectful” and “diverting.” He expressed frustration that “the narrative we’re hearing from the press isn’t reflective of the day‑to‑day work and progress that the defense is making.” The comment came at a time when the Titans were trying to regroup after a 12‑5 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5. According to a 2024 article on NFL.com titled “Titans’ Defensive Overhaul: A Look at the Coaching Staff’s Response to Losses,” Callahan had been working with the Titans’ defensive line to develop a new pass‑rush scheme, hoping to limit the Jaguars’ big plays.

Callahan’s comments also touch on a larger trend in sports journalism. In an interview on Sports Illustrated’s “Behind the Headlines” podcast, he mentioned that “the media is often too quick to blame, and it’s not always an accurate reflection of the work being done in the locker room.” The sentiment has resonated with some analysts, who argue that the Titans’ coaching staff may have a legitimate grievance about how the local press has portrayed their defensive struggles, especially in the context of a highly publicized coaching change in 2023.

Reaction From Players and Other Coaches

The Titans’ players have been tight‑lipped about the situation. In a Thursday morning press briefing, linebacker Kevin Byard (the team’s defensive captain) offered a measured response, stating that “the defensive unit is still working hard, and we’re confident that our coaching staff knows what they’re doing.” Byard’s comments came after the Titans’ 28‑24 comeback win against the Detroit Lions in Week 6, a game that saw the defense limit a strong Lions offense to just 20 points.

Other coaches have weighed in as well. The Colts’ defensive coordinator, Ryan C. Smith, commented on Twitter that “the media can be a double‑edged sword.” Smith acknowledged that while criticism can be constructive, it should be grounded in objective analysis rather than speculation. Smith’s post was shared by a dozen other NFL teams’ social media accounts, sparking a broader discussion about how coaching staffs should handle media scrutiny.

The Bigger Picture: Media, Coaching, and Team Dynamics

Callahan’s outburst reflects a broader tension in professional sports: the balancing act between the media’s need for stories and the coaching staff’s desire for a constructive, focused environment. Analysts on ESPN’s “Off the Field” segment suggest that this dynamic can become especially strained in high‑pressure environments like the NFL, where a single loss can trigger a cascade of media commentary.

The Titans’ situation also highlights the evolving role of defensive coordinators in modern football. Defensive coordinators now often have to wear the hat of a “public relations manager” as much as a “tactical strategist.” According to a 2025 article in The Athletic titled “The Modern Defensive Coordinator: More than Just Play Calls,” Callahan is not an exception. He has been vocal on social media about his expectations for the defensive line, but the local media’s portrayal of the defense has, at times, been more critical than the coaching staff feels warranted.

Conclusion: What Happens Next?

As the Titans prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9, the question remains: will Callahan’s frustration with the local media translate into a new defensive approach? The Titans’ defensive metrics have shown marginal improvement in recent weeks, but the defense still sits near the bottom of the league in points allowed. The media will undoubtedly keep a close eye on any further statements from Callahan and the coaching staff.

For now, the story of Brian Callahan’s “clear frustration” serves as a case study in the delicate relationship between coaching staff and local media, and a reminder that in the NFL, the drama extends beyond the field.