Story update: After this post was scheduled, the Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with Jim Harbaugh to be their new head coach. See our original post below.
The NFL’s coaching carousel continues turning as teams outside the playoffs begin preparing for the 2024 campaign.
After firing Mike Vrabel, the Tennessee Titans have replaced him with former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as their new head coach. Callahan, 39, was an assistant coach with the Denver Broncos from 2010-2015, helping the team win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.
Peyton Manning has heaped praise on Callahan, who left the Broncos in 2016 to become the Detroit Lions’ quarterbacks coach. After two seasons in Detroit, Callahan coached QBs for the Oakland Raiders in 2018 before getting Cincy’s OC job in 2019.
Seven years after leaving Denver, Callahan was a candidate to return to the Broncos in 2022 when the team fired Vic Fangio. The Broncos interviewed Callahan for their HC opening before eventually hiring Nathaniel Hackett instead. Two years later, Callahan is now a HC in Tennessee and the Broncos have replaced Hackett with Sean Payton.
Elsewhere on the coaching front, the Atlanta Falcons have completed a second head coach interview with Ejiro Evero, who served as Denver’s defensive coordinator in 2022.
Broncos defensive backs coach Christian Parker has interviewed for the New England Patriots’s defensive coordinator position, but Pats in-house candidate DeMarcus Covington is considered the favorite to land that gig.
Meanwhile, in the AFC West, the Las Vegas Raiders have officially hired Antonio Pierce as their new head coach, removing his interim tag. Las Vegas has also hired a general manager, bringing in Tom Telesco. That means the Raiders will not hire Denver executive Kelly Kleine Van Calligan, who interviewed for the GM opening.
Las Vegas is now set to interview ex-Broncos QBs coach Mike Sullivan (2018) for their offensive coordinator position.
The Los Angeles Chargers have interviewed Vrabel for their HC opening, but Jim Harbaugh is believed to be a leading candidate for the job after setting up a second interview with Los Angeles.
The Chargers and Patriots are still seeking GMs. L.A.’s list of GM candidates includes Jeff Ireland, Dawn Aponte and Jeff King.
In addition to the Chargers and Falcons, the Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders also have HC openings. Harbaugh, Vrabel and Bill Belichick are the most notable coaches still available.
Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
