Exclusive: Taylor Lewan on Titans Rookie Cam Ward, Brian Callahan, and What Comes Next

Starting quarterbacks in the National Football League (NFL) are always going to get garner all the attention, but it’s the offensive line that is usually the secret to success. 

Former Tennessee Titans’ left tackle Taylor Lewan knows that sentiment well. With the success he found on the field, combined with outgoing, non-apologetic personality, it’s no surprise he’s now finding a new career in the media world as well.

UNEXPECTED PATH TO TENNESSEE

Lewan has never been one to shy away from the spotlight. He was a star on the offensive line coming out of the University of Michigan, twice earning first-team All-American honours. The Arizona native admitted that after going through the draft process back in 2014, he thought he’d be headed to the Atlanta Falcons. 

“I remember the Falcons flew on their private jet to Scottsdale, where I was staying on the Monday before the draft. They told me if I was there at six to pack my stuff because I was going to be a Falcon,” Lewan told SportsBoom.com. 

But that didn’t happen, instead the Falcons selected tackle Jake Matthews out of Texas A&M. Lewan remembers that gut punching feeling, seeing Matthews take the call live just three tables down at the draft in New York City. 

“I was having all these irrational insecurities coming to mind, like you’ve never been good at football, people are just lying to you,” added Lewan.

But those thoughts quickly faded several picks later when the Tennessee Titans picked Lewan 11th overall. 

He was headed to a place he only once drove through and got some barbecue. Little did he know Nashville was going to be a place he’d call his forever home. 

FINDING A VOICE AS A PROFESSIONAL

When Lewan was drafted, it came as a bit of a surprise. Tennessee had All-Pro Michael Roos at left tackle, and recently signed Michael Oher. But the NFL is a business, and teams always have a plan in place.

“I go in thinking this is going to be so cool. We’re going to be boys; I have a mentor. Well, I didn’t realize at the time, I was basically drafted to take Roos’ spot eventually.” 

That would happen, eventually, but before that, Lewan was challenged with finding his voice in an offensive line room that had a strong veteran presence. He was just a rookie but quickly found himself questioning if he needed to tone things down from his usual outspoken demeanour.

“I did have second thoughts about my identity,” explained Lewan. 

“Like whom am I, do I need to change to be successful?” 

The answer was no. He was loud and even admitted that ruffled some feathers, but being uncomfortable in certain situations didn’t last long.

Roos ended up having a season-ending knee injury week five of the season, and just like that, Lewan was starting at left tackle in week six. 

“As much as people wanted to tell me to shut up and play football, I realized at that point, I can’t be successful trying to be something I’m not,” added Lewan.

From that moment on, he becomes a player that was more available to reporters. Lewan was good talking with people, and this wasn’t your stereotypical, boring type of leader. He had a rare approach to interviews. 

At times some might think he was a little intimidating, but in reality, he was transparent, willing to push the envelope a bit. You could say he was getting some good practice in for his future career away from football.

Getty Images / Jeff Bottari

BEING THE FIRST

In 2018, Lewan’s teammate Will Compton approached him about doing a podcast. At that time, there were no active players doing anything like that. That was intriguing for Lewan, and after inking a new deal with the Titans, he felt a level of security and was willing to take a risk.

After the season ended the work on building a base for the podcast began. The two friends made a visit to a smaller production company in Nashville, TN. 

During the discussion, they were made aware of an old, broken-down bus in the back lot. Lewan made the decision right then and there, he had to have it.

It was a retired NASCAR fan bus, used to travel from race to race, but now it was getting a fresh coat of paint and would be the home for their new podcast.

When it came to deciding on the name, the two went back and forth, finally deciding on “Bussin’ with the Boys.”

“My wife thought it was kind of lame at first, but I said let’s go with it for now and if we need to change it, we can,” said Lewan.

Little did they know, not only would the name stick, but the two were about to build one of the biggest sports podcasts in the country.

TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

During the 2019 season the Titans were being recognized as one of the better teams in the league. Bussin’ with the Boys, started gain some attention as well. Just about 10 episodes in, Lewan and Compton got a call that would change their lives outside of football, asked to meet with Barstool Sports. Owner Dave Portnoy made it clear that they were about to put gasoline on their fire, bringing the podcast do a whole new level.

“At that very moment I didn’t know what that meant, but I knew growing up that Barstool was a big deal.”

Everything was coming up roses for Lewan that year, and he was enjoying it all. Following a deep run in the playoffs, he and Compton flew to New York City to meet with Portnoy and inked a deal shortly after that. It all happened so fast, and it’s never really slowed down.

Over the past few years, the podcasts success has skyrocketed. Bussin’ with the Boys has over 2.5 million across its media platforms, with over six-hundred thousand subscribers on YouTube.

Lewan has interviewed everyone from Travis Kelce to the President of the United States, Donald Trump. He couldn’t pick out a favourite interview, but did remember the interview he was most nervous for. That was Mike Vrabel. The current head coach of the New England Patriots, actually came on the bus when he was the coach of the Titans, and when Lewan was playing for him.

“I was intimidated. He was my coach, my boss. When he decided to come on, it was kind of like a double-edged sword of being excited, but nervous as well.”

It was worth it though because it was a signature of approval by Vrabel. It gave Lewan a sense of security. He knew at that time pushing the boundaries as an active NFL player wasn’t always accepted.

THE END AND NEW BEGINNINGS

While the podcast continued to gain momentum, Lewan found his football career in a difficult spot. After suffering a knee injury in 2020, he was never able to get back to an elite level of play. In 2023, the Titans released him.

Lewan has haver officially retired, but he’s hinted in many interviews that he is done playing.

It was the end of a great career for the 3X Pro-Bowler, and just two years later it would be the end of a successful run with Barstool Sports.

In early 2025, Bussin’ with the Boys decided to move into a partnership with FanDuel.

Lewan made it clear he loved working with Barstool, but when it was time to sign a new deal, it was hard for Barstool to match the number given by FanDuel. It also gave Bussin’ the ability to sell their entire inventory.

“We’ll always be grateful to Barstool. I feel we left the right way,” added Lewan.

FROM PODCAST TO TV HOST

While Bussin’ with the Boys is doing better than ever, Lewan’s quest to be the best in his life after football continues. He will continue to create content for the show, but he’s also excited about new opportunities on the television side.

Lewan was approached by Netflix last year to host a new reality show called “Battle Camp.” The series, which is now airing, features contestants from other Netflix reality shows who team up and compete in challenges. As they compete for $250,000, only the most unbeatable, unbreakable, and unhateable survive.

The European-based company set up an interview and eventually asked to come in and do a live read. There were other candidates that were in the mix, but that unique personality that he never buried during his NFL days shined through and the gig was his.

After agreeing to the contract, Lewan had almost no time to prepare before taping started in Mexico City. Netflix sent a host coach to his home in Nashville for just 72 hours. Lewan compared it to preparing for a playoff game, adding that if you have the right coach, you’ll be ready for the moment. And he was.

“It was an awesome experience. I loved being part of the Netflix brand”, said Lewan. It’s pretty cool when you go type your name in the search bar and it pops up!”

Hosting is something he’d like to do again; it’s just about finding the time to do it.

ALWAYS A TRUE TITAN

Lewan is never one to turn down any future projects, but for right now he’s enjoying podcasting and spending time with his family in Nashville. 

He’s also a supporter of his former team, following the Titans as they rebuild and work on getting back to the top of the AFC South. Tennessee had the number overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Cam Ward out of Miami. 

Lewan said while it will probably take a couple years to see the full effect of drafting a quarterback, but he’s excited about the quarterback’s potential.

“I love that clip of Shedeur Sanders and Cam in the offseason, where Sanders talks about dropping a song. Cam just shut it down and made it clear he was a football player,” added Lewan.

Lewan protected for a few quarterbacks during his time in Tennessee and said that is the mindset you want for your signal caller.

“I just love his work ethic,” said Lewan. “I talked to a couple guys on the team, and they said he just goes!” 

So just how good does Lewan think the Titans be this season? In 2024, the team had just three wins under new head coach Brian Callahan. Right now, it’s hard to predict.

He thinks that Callahan understands the NFL and has a great offensive mind, but adds that if wants to stay, he needs to show a level of improvement where everyone is happy. 

“As Titans fans we need to realize, we have a new quarterback. He needs time to do his thing. We know there will be real holes around the team,” said Lewan. 

“If this team goes .500, we’re happy.”