Jerod Mayo and Brian Callahan are facing the typical challenges that first-year NFL coaches encounter.
They are trying to find a balance between needing to win now and having the patience required to develop young quarterbacks. This isn’t an easy task, and Mayo is bringing his New England Patriots to Music City on Sunday to play Callahan’s Titans, both of whom are near the bottom of the NFL standings.
This situation has fans either thinking a tank job is happening or loudly hoping for more losses to get a better draft pick next April. However, that’s not the main focus for a coach as November begins.
“Our job is to go put the best product on the field every single week, play as hard as we can, do everything we can to win a game,” Callahan said. “And I’ll always take that stance.”
His Titans (1-6) have matched the franchise’s worst start since 2015, which resulted in Ken Whisenhunt losing his job in his second season. Tennessee suffered a heavy defeat, losing 52-14 in Detroit, and they are returning home in desperate need of their first win in Nashville after starting 0-3.
Tennessee is one of only two NFL teams with just one win, alongside Carolina. Mayo and his Patriots (2-5) are not far ahead, with their record boosted by last week’s 25-22 victory over the Jets.
Fans often forget that jobs are on the line, regardless of the record, especially with so much of the season still to play.
“There’s too much at stake and too much at risk for anybody to do anything other than everything they possibly can to go win a game,” Callahan said.
