Chargers complete interview with Bengals OC Brian Callahan

Field Level Media|published: Tue 16th January, 15:30 2024

Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan takes questions during the Cincinnati Bengals annual preseason media luncheon at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, July 26, 2021. Cincinnati Bengals Media Day credits: Sam Greene/The Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC

The Los Angeles Chargers interviewed Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan for their vacant head coaching position on Tuesday.

Callahan completed his fifth season directing the Cincinnati offense in 2023, a tenure that includes a trip to Super Bowl LVI and two AFC Championship Game appearances.

The Bengals finished 9-8 but missed the playoffs this season after losing starting quarterback Joe Burrow to a season-ending wrist injury in mid-November. Cincinnati finished 16th in scoring offense (21.5 points per game) and 22nd in total offense (318.9 yards per game) in 2023, down from seventh and eighth, respectively, in 2022.

Callahan, 39, is the son of former Oakland Raiders head coach Bill Callahan. Brian Callahan coached the Raiders' quarterbacks in 2017 after holding the same position with the Detroit Lions from 2016-17.

Callahan also has interviewed for openings with the Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans. He also is slated to interview with the Carolina Panthers later this week.

The Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco on Dec. 15.

The Chargers met with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh on Monday and have also interviewed San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and two internal candidates — interim head coach Giff Smith and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

—Field Level Media