Brian Callahan praises Shedeur Sanders’ confidence as Titans close in on No. 1 pick decision

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PALM BEACH, Fla. — “Closer.”

That’s the up-to-the-minute update from coach Brian Callahan on where the Tennessee Titans stand on deciding who they want to draft with the first pick.

The Titans, assuming they don’t trade down from the lofty spot, have identified their four finalists as Ward, edge player Abdul Carter, defensive back/receiver Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Yes, two of those choices are quarterbacks — and that requires a determination as to if they are really, truly franchise quarterbacks, in which case there may not even be a fair trade price.

“You weigh whatever it is that’s being presented. If it’s something that you feel like is beyond the value that you would’ve ever thought you would get, that’s one thing,” Callahan said Monday at the NFL’s annual league meetings. “But then you also have to look at what does a potential franchise quarterback look like. And if you think they are that good and they’re that type of player, those guys, to me, are priceless.

“There is no price that you can put on those types of players if you think they’re that caliber of quarterback.”

While there were a lot of reports that some teams were turned off by Sanders’ interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine last month, Callahan said he has enjoyed his visits with the Colorado quarterback.

(The Titans will head to Sanders’ — and Hunter’s — pro day on April 4 and then have the quarterback in for a private workout on April 9.)

“Our interactions with him have been really positive,” Callahan said. “We had him in for a 30-visit on top of it, and then we’re heading out to his pro day. But, I’ve really enjoyed him. I’ve liked his demeanor, I like the way he comes across. He’s confident, without being over the top, which is a good thing.

“All of our interactions have been positive. I’m excited to see what he can bring.”

For a former quarterbacks coach like Callahan, the in-person workouts might be the most crucial box to check on his pre-draft list.

“I think the in-person is critically important, particularly when you’re talking about quarterbacks,” Callahan said. “When you’re talking about how the ball comes off their hand and how do they interact — that’s my favorite part, is just watching how they interact with the players, how does he talk to these guys? How does he lead the group through the workout? I mean it’s a small thing, but you can always learn something from it.”

And then the private workout is the cherry on the evaluation sundae for Callahan.

“The private workout is fun because you get to actually coach,” he said. “So you can see how they respond to your coaching, you can see if they can make a coaching point correction, if you have one for them. And then you just get to interact with them a little more. It’s the best way to try to get a feel for what that’s gonna look like on a day-to-day basis.”

The Titans held their private workout with Ward — the presumed favorite to go No. 1 —  last Friday and Callahan came away impressed. He has watched every one of Ward’s college reps and thinks that coaching him would be exciting, based on the improvement he made after transferring from Washington State to Miami.

“You saw the flashes at Washington State, but then you saw the consistency,” Callahan said. “And again, maybe it’s a talent disparity at Miami but I don’t think there was a crazy swing of talent. You saw the accuracy become more consistent, and I think that just comes from playing. I think that’s why these guys that have stayed in school longer and are playing four and five years, it’s helping them because I think they’re getting chances to get more reps and more opportunities. Their games smooth out and they become more pro-ready.”

The Titans still have 2023 second-round pick Will Levis and veteran quarterbacks Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle. President of football operations Chad Brinker said the Titans are not shopping Levis and that he will get a chance to compete for the starting job after throwing 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 12 starts last season. Levis will work with private QB coach Jordan Palmer in Los Angeles this summer.

“I had a very straightforward conversation with him when the season was over,” Callahan said, “when we were getting ready to leave and I just said, ‘Look, you worry about you. Don’t don’t worry about anything else. Control the things that you’re capable of controlling and put the work in for yourself. It doesn’t matter what we do or how we do it and expect there to be competition.’ I’m excited to see what it looks like when he gets back.”

(Photo of Shedeur Sanders: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)

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