Bo Hardegree To Join Titans; Team Denying Justin Outten Interviews?

 

The Titans in 2024 will probably have two offensive coordinators from the AFC West who are one-and-done players. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that one of them will be Oakland Raiders temporary offensive line coach Bo Hardegree. Hardegree, who began the previous season in Las Vegas, is expected to take on the role of quarterbacks coach with the Titans.

Shortly after Josh McDaniels was fired, the Raiders benched OC Mick Lombardi and promoted Hardegree. Hardegree led Las Vegas’ play-calling squad throughout the second part of the season. However, the Raiders announced that they were letting go of Hardegree when they promoted Antonio Pierce to head coach on a full-time basis. Luke Getsy joined the team in Vegas after a protracted OC search, but the former play-caller will find a new home in the AFC.

Titans Hire Bill Callahan As O-Line Coach]

With the incoming Titans head coach Brian Callahan, Hardegree has a past. The two worked as offensive assistants during 2014, John Fox’s last season with the Broncos. Despite having primarily worked as an offensive assistant throughout his career, Hardegree, 39, spent three seasons as Adam Gase’s quarterbacks coach with the Dolphins. Prior to the November promotion, Hardegree spent one and a half seasons coaching the Raider quarterbacks.

 

After McDaniels and Lombardi were benched, the Raiders scored 23 points per game on average. That was led by fourth-round rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell, and it finished in the top half of the league. Compared to the first half of the season, this production—which had more Josh Jacobs—has helped Hardegree get back on his feet.

It’s also possible that the Titans intend to keep one of Mike Vrabel’s offensive coordinators. Hired in 2023, Justin Outten shows up in Callahan’s plans following an intriguing season as Denver’s offensive coordinator. According to Justin Melo of TheDraftNetwork.com (X link), the franchise has prevented other clubs from interviewing Outten. Melo also notes that Outten has been approached about run-game coordinator positions. Teams have the ability to stop lateral moves involving contracted helpers. In 2023, Outten coordinated the run-game for the Titans.

Outten attracted interest from teams last season despite being the offensive coordinator for a Broncos unit that collapsed under Nathaniel Hackett’s dismal season in command. The Rams contemplated hiring him after the Ravens interviewed him for their open position. In the midst of Denver’s difficulties, which resulted in the 32nd-ranked scoring attack in 2022, Hackett went over Hackett.