![Tennessee Titans quarterback Brandon Allen (10) throws the ball during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 41-7, capturing the AFC South title. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_342,y_170,w_5065,h_2849/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/31/01kp3w6x4dvqg2ta3dzg.jpg "Tennessee Titans quarterback Brandon Allen (10) throws the ball during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 41-7, capturing the AFC South title. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
In some ways, the NFL is no different from real life, like the fact that connections are everything. The New York Giants' signing of quarterback Brandon Allen, whose familiarity with the club's passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach, Brian Callahan, is a prime example.
Many fans couldn't help but ask why in response to the Giants' announcement of Allen's arrival. And on the surface, it's hard to argue with them, considering he's thrown just 97 passes since 2021 and hasn't been particularly effective. However, his working history with Callahan is a key factor that cannot be overlooked when assessing this move.
Allen's now set for his third stint with Callahan. The Giants ostensibly view their established rapport as a valuable trait, so Big Blue Nation (tentatively) should too.
Giants fans confused by Brandon Allen signing are overlooking Brian Callahan connection
Callahan was the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive coordinator from 2019 through 2023, and Allen enjoyed a three-year stint with the team during this stretch (2020-22). They briefly reunited as Tennessee Titans in 2025 before the former was relieved of his duties as their head coach. Now, the two of them get back together in New York with hopes of a third time being the charm.
In an ideal world, Allen logs zero meaningful snaps for the Giants. He's been a below-average journeyman backup since entering the league as a sixth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016. Be that as it may, his understanding of how Callahan likes to operate can be a boon to rising second-year signal-caller Jaxson Dart's development.
Think of Allen as an extension of the coaching staff. He can be the middleman between Callahan and the other prominent voices in Dart's ear. That's a strong, albeit unquantifiable, asset that can make life easier for a young player, especially with all of the new faces in New York.
Meanwhile, the Titans-Giants pipeline continues to grow. Whether that's a good thing, considering the success (or lack thereof) both franchises have enjoyed in recent seasons, remains to be seen. Nevertheless, even if it's inadvertently, Tennessee and New York keep exchanging parts.
In one appearance this past campaign, Allen completed 17 of 30 attempts (56.7 percent) for 72 scoreless yards and an interception. He figures to assume the third-string vacancy that last belonged to Russell Wilson, who remains an unsigned unrestricted free agent.
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