The Tennessee Titans secured the top overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after losing 23-14 to the Houston Texans on Sunday, thanks to the New England Patriots’ win over the Buffalo Bills.
The Patriots, who would have earned the No. 1 pick if they had lost, instead will pick at No. 4 after their 23-16 victory over the Bills. The Cleveland Browns will pick second, followed by the New York Giants at No. 3.
Titans coach Brian Callahan chose to play both Will Levis and Mason Rudolph during the season finale against the Texans. Callahan explained that the decision to split playing time between the two quarterbacks was to give both players one final opportunity to play, not as a strategy to lose in order to improve the team’s draft position.
The Titans ended the season with a 3-14 record, marking Callahan’s first year as head coach. This is the team’s worst season since 2015, when they finished 3-13. The Titans had fired former coach Ken Whisenhunt during that 2015 season after a 2-14 start, which had followed a 2-14 finish in Whisenhunt’s first year in 2014.
The Titans now face several roster gaps to fill. Callahan has been in a similar situation before, having served as the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, who finished 2-14 in 2020 and secured the top pick, which was used to select quarterback Joe Burrow.
“I’ve seen it done and been a part of it,” Callahan said. “It’s not a position I ever want to be in again. But the benefit of that is it does open up some opportunities to improve the football team.”
Callahan also pointed out that having top picks in other rounds could help the team improve. It’s important to note that the Kansas City Chiefs hold the Titans’ third-round pick after last season’s trade for cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.
Callahan is expected to remain as coach for next season, according to a source within the team. However, team ownership is reportedly unhappy with this season’s results, and there is a sense of uncertainty within the organization, with some anticipating changes, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“I don’t really pay much mind to those reports,” Callahan said. “I just come in and try to do my job as best I can and do it as long as they allow me to do it.”
