The trade appears to be a straight-up swap with no other players or draft capital involved. It reunites Johnson with former head coach Robert Saleh, whom the Titans hired in January, while sending Sweat to his second team ahead of his third season in the league.

The trade gives Johnson the opportunity to potentially revive his career with the same coach he began his career with. After suffering a devastating torn Achilles tendon early in the 2024 season, Johnson managed just three sacks in 14 games in 2025.

Johnson ended his fourth season with 43 tackles, three sacks, 13 pressures, five tackles for loss and two batted passes.

Sweat also dealt with injuries in 2025, which took a hit on his numbers after his promising rookie season. However, the 24-year-old emerged as one of the league’s premier defensive tackles when he was on the field. He ended the year with 34 tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss and one batted pass.

Jets’ T’Vondre Sweat-Jermaine Johnson trade grade

The Jets entered the 2026 offseason in desperate need of significant defensive upgrades. What was once one of the most talented defensive rosters in the league took a stark hit at the 2025 deadline when the team sent Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys.

New York has now shipped another promising young player in Jermaine Johnson, but it nets one of the league’s most underrated defenders in return.

An ankle injury gave him a slow start to his second season, but T’Vondre Sweat has quickly become one of the best interior run-stopping defensive tackles. While not the best pass-rusher up the middle, Sweat is already one of the premier inside rush defenders in the NFL. His 83.4 player grade on Pro Football Focus was fifth-best among defensive tackles in 2025, while his 79.3 run defense grade ranked fourth.

Adding Sweat addresses one of the Jets’ most dire needs in the 2026 offseason. New York allowed the fourth-most rushing yards, the 10th-most yards per carry and the sixth-most rushing touchdowns in 2025.

To gain a young player like Sweat, who is still on his rookie contract, is a big win for the Jets. Losing Johnson might hurt in the long run, but it is also a sign of New York likely targeting an edge defender early in the 2026 NFL Draft, potentially as early as No. 2.

Jets grade: A-

Titans’ T’Vondre Sweat-Jermaine Johnson trade grade

In a vacuum, giving up T’Vondre Sweat is a big loss for this Titans defense. Tennessee’s elite interior defensive line tandem of Swet and Jeffrey Simmons was one of the few positives the team had during another lost season, and it has now taken that factor away from Saleh.

But what the trade also did was give the Titans an edge-rusher, which they desperately needed in the offseason. Tennessee finished in the top half of the league with 42 sacks in 2025, but only 15 of them came from their current edge-rushers. Only three of them — Jaylen Harrell, Truman Jones and Oluwafemi Oladejo — are currently under contract in 2026.

Adding Johnson to that group is a good start, but he comes with obvious injury risk. However, he enters the 2026 season on the final year of his rookie contract, making it a one-year trial run with the Titans.

Achilles injuries are notoriously difficult for players to recover from in the NFL, particularly those who rely on as much athleticism as Johnson does. But if there is one coach who can dig up the 2023 version of Johnson, it is Saleh, who has already done it once before.

The Titans clearly view adding Johnson at this point in his career as a buy-low opportunity while maintaining their league-leading $97 million cap space. It just came at the high price of Sweat, who looked like a future All-Pro in 2025. If Tennessee wanted to move Sweat to address its edge-rushing need, it feels like it could have yielded a higher return for a player of his caliber.

Titans grade: C+

The post Titans, Jets trade grades for Jermaine Johnson-T’Vondre Sweat swap appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Now that the Titans are busy revamping their roster heading into Saleh’s first season at the helm, there are some other areas on the roster that they should explore tweaking, and one player they should consider fielding offers on is backup quarterback Will Levis.

Levis didn’t exactly play up to par during his time as the starting quarterback in Tennessee, ultimately losing that job to Cam Ward, who was drafted number one overall by the franchise last year and showed some flashes during his rookie season.

Levis proved to be prone to making bad decisions at times during his time under center for Tennessee, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still teams out there who might be willing to take a chance on him at the right price. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that Levis had NFL scouts salivating at his combination of athleticism and arm talent coming out of Kentucky, which had him projected by many as one of the top quarterbacks in his class.

One need look no further than Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks star Sam Darnold to see an example of a quarterback whose career got off to a rocky start, before a change in situation ultimately allowed him to bring out the best of his abilities.

There are several teams that have rocky quarterback situations at the current juncture and might be willing to give Levis a look. While the Titans shouldn’t expect to get a treasure trove of assets in return for him, now that Ward is the franchise quarterback moving forward, they might be better off seeing what they can pull for Levis and signing a veteran to occupy the backup QB position.

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The Titans made a trade on Thursday, sending nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat to the New York Jets for edge rusher Jermaine Johnson. Johnson was part of Saleh’s Jets team from a few years ago and was one of the standout players on that defense. The new Tennessee head coach will have his former pass rusher back with him as he attempts to rebuild this franchise.

Johnson, a first-round draft pick with the Jets in 2022, stood out as one of the better pass-rushers on the team in the Saleh era. He started slow in his rookie year with just 2.5 sacks, but became a starter by his second season. He recorded 7.5 sacks in his sophomore season under Saleh, earning him a spot in the Pro Bowl.

Since then, though, Johnson hasn’t quite lived up to that same level. An injury took the Jets pass-rusher out for most of the 2024 season, the year Saleh was fired. The following season, Johnson didn’t do well, recording just three sacks in 2025 as New York’s defense struggled to make an impact.

The Titans hope that reuniting Johnson with Saleh will help the pass-rusher realize his potential. Johnson will join a strong defensive line featuring the ageless Jeffery Simmons and Sebastian Joseph-Day. With Sweat out, the Titans will either turn towards second-string nose tackle Cam Horsley or go through the draft to find a younger option. Sweat recorded two sacks for Tennessee last season as the second-year nose tackle filled up the inside.

The Titans ranked 21st last season in yards allowed per game, but were 28th in points allowed per game. The defensive line was one of the few bright spots last season, ranking 14th in sacks with a total of 42 sacks (tied with the Eagles and Commanders).

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Reports indicate that Lloyd Cushenberry, who was Cam Ward’s starting center last season, is being released by the Titans, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Cushenberry, who is 28 years old, was due $8 million this coming season.

“The Titans are releasing starting center Lloyd Cushenberry, sources say, moving on from a former big-ticket free agent from 2024. He signed a 4-year, $50M deal two years ago and was due $8M this season. Now, Cam Ward will have a new center.”

It’s said that Cushenberry was released due to a failed physical designation, per Julian Mininsohn of WKRN News 2. The Titans also cut safety Xavier Woods from the roster. Cushenberry is dealing with a shoulder injury, but is expected to be healthy by the start of the 2026-27 season.

“The Titans have released safety Xavier Woods and Center Lloyd Cushenberry, who was released with a failed physical designation.”

Lloyd Cushenberry initially signed with the Titans in the 2024 offseason, where he immediately stepped in as the starting center. He played 23 games during his two seasons with the franchise, 15 of which came in the 2025-26 campaign.

Tennessee should be in for a busy offseason. With a ton of cap space, great draft capital (No. 4 pick overall), and an exciting young quarterback, the future is finally looking bright for the Titans.

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Reese is the closest player to Micah Parsons to come out of the draft since, well, Micah Parsons. He is an off-ball linebacker in edge rusher size and physical ability at 6-foot-4, 243 pounds. He has the potential to be an incredibly versatile chess piece and is still just 20 years old, which is why there is a good chance he is the first non-quarterback off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft.

After a decent sophomore season where he backed up 2025 draft prospect Sonny Styles and Arizona Cardinals LB Cody Simon, Reese had a breakout year in 2025. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia used the linebacker in all different spots on the formation, leading to 69 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 10.0 tackles for a loss, two passes defended, and an All-American nod.

Reese can be a game-changer if he goes to the right coach and right system, which is why these three teams make the most sense as the best Arvell Reese destinations in 2026 NFL Draft.

New York Jets

The New York Jets hold the key to the 2026 NFL Draft. We all know Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza is going No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders, but what the Jets do after that will set the tone for the rest of the draft.

In the most recent ClutchPoints NFL mock draft, the Jets take Arvell Reese at No. 2. That’s because, with holes at almost every position on the roster, Gang Green only has one need this offseason: talent.

Reese is the type of player a franchise can build a defense around. Lining him up at different positions and letting him confuse the offense could become a calling card of a unit that doesn’t currently have an identity, despite having a defensive-minded head coach, Aaron Glenn, in charge.

And speaking of Glenn, he will now call plays on defense this season, which is a make-or-break for the first-time head coach. In Detroit, he has Aidan Hutchinson, who was a static position pass rusher, but an elite one. If Reese can develop into that level of pressure-getter and do it from multiple spots in the formation, Glenn could not only save his job but really have something for the future.

Tennessee Titans

Another team that needs to build a new identity on defense is the Tennessee Titans, who made the first step in that direction this offseason by hiring former Jets head coach and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their next frontman.

Saleh runs a Cover 3 defense, but he pairs that with a Wide 9 rush and often double mugs on the line of scrimmage. What that means is that the defensive ends set up well outside the tackles and speed rush the quarterback while the off-ball linebackers push up to the line in the gaps in either side of the center.

What Reese could give Saleh is a player who he could line up on the edge or in the middle of the line. Saleh has always liked smaller, faster pass-rushers like Nick Bosa, Will McDonald, or Jermiane Johnson (the latter two, whom he drafted in New York). Reese can be that in a Wide 9 scheme, or he could be one of the double mug ‘backers who can blitz or drop out depending on the coverage.

If you are rooting for the best and most interesting scheme fit for Reese, you should hope he goes to the Tennessee Titans.

Arizona Cardinals

Arvell Reese may not make it to the Titans, though, because the Cardinals pick at No. 3. If the Ohio State linebacker somehow sneaks past the Jets, the Cardinals may scoop him up.

The argument for picking Reese here is similar to the Jets’ rationale, in that Reese may be the best position player in this draft, and the Cardinals are pretty devoid of talent on both sides of the ball. Taking the best player available makes sense, even if new head coach Mike LaFleur is an offensive-minded guy.

And that point dovetails with the other reasons the Cardinals could take Reese at No. 3 in the 2026 NFL Draft. Arizona is letting Kyler Murray go one way or another this offseason, and the offense will likely be a bit of a mess. With no clear QB2 worth a top-three selection, if the Cardinals have any chance to improve this offseason, it’s likely by strengthening the defensive side of the ball, and a player like Reese can certainly do that.

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This comes as the team looks to address a key area of concern in their roster. Although Trent Williams is still considered a top player, he will turn 38 this summer, and additionally, the 49ers experienced a Divisional Round loss to Seattle, where their defense struggled significantly.

Lomu is an intriguing option because he is more of a stabilizer, with evaluators consistently praising his natural ability in pass sets, according to WalterFootball.

In the run game, he shows promise, particularly when tasked with moving and sealing off defenders rather than simply overpowering them in confined spaces.

However, feedback suggests he needs to be more consistent with his angles and finishing techniques when defenders try to get past him, which is typical for a young tackle still gaining experience.

Here are three destinations for Caleb Lomu that make sense for the 2026 NFL Draft.

San Francisco 49ers

This is a clear match because the need is obvious and the fit within the scheme is natural. The 49ers are looking for tackles in the NFL Draft who can manage one-on-one matchups so that the offense doesn’t have to keep a tight end attached all game.

Additionally, they need linemen who can effectively move in the run game, and Kyle Shanahan’s offense requires tackles to operate well in space, particularly on outside zone plays and play-action boots that build off of it.

If a tackle struggles in pass protection, Brock Purdy will face pressure, turning designed plays into scramble situations.

Similarly, if a tackle isn’t capable of effective movement, the run game suffers as it loses its edge, and the play-action loses its effectiveness.

This is why Lomu is a strong fit. His profile suggests he is a pass-protection first tackle with the athleticism needed for a wide-zone scheme, and if Trent Williams plays for another year, Lomu won’t be rushed into the left tackle position right away.

The draft position also aligns with how San Francisco typically strategizes. At No. 27, teams often face the choice between starting caliber with one or two flaws and high upside that needs development. Lomu fits the first category because he is a player you draft because you want to protect your quarterback in critical situations.

New England Patriots

New England is the best destination for Lomu if you want him to be in an environment that prioritizes coaching technique. The Patriots, especially in this new era, focused on reestablishing structure and value clarity on the offensive line, and they can look for that in this NFL Draft.

They aim to keep their quarterback from feeling overwhelmed and want their offensive plays to remain on schedule, which begins with solid protection against a standard four-man rush.

Lomu’s foundation in pass protection makes this pairing intriguing. If you’re a tackle who comfortably handles speed and basic rush strategies, you’ll get playing time faster in New England. Then, the coaching staff can refine the finer points, such as independent hand usage, consistent pad level, how to set up without creating openings, and how to handle secondary moves without resorting to grabbing.

The Patriots don’t require him to be a powerful blocker from Day 1.

There’s also a strategic consideration because the Pats are known for being more willing than many teams to invest in line play when they see clear value. When they make such selections, it typically comes with a plan to help the player develop rather than treating the draft choice as just a means to sell jerseys.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans are a good fit for a different reason. They play in a division where shaky tackle play can be detrimental to the season, and if your tackles are facing a mix of speed-to-power edge rushers one week and heavy inside movement the next, your tackle room must include both anchors and agile athletes.

Tennessee typically builds offenses centered around running the ball effectively, which then sets up manageable play-action opportunities. This approach punishes teams that struggle to establish the edge in the run game and can’t hold up during obvious passing situations.

Lomu’s skill set is well-suited for this scenario because he possesses the foot quickness to handle speed rushers and the agility to excel in a run scheme that requires tackles to reach specific landmarks instead of simply down-blocking on every play.

While he is not yet a finished product as a run blocker, he has the traits necessary for development.

Historically, the Titans have been comfortable drafting linemen and allowing them to grow into more complete players through live reps, and Lomu has the potential to take on that challenge.

Why do these three teams work for Lomu?

Each of these teams offers something slightly different, but none requires Lomu to change who he is as a player. San Francisco provides a system that rewards mobility and emphasizes solid pass protection, along with a natural succession plan as Trent Williams nears the end of his career.

New England offers structured coaching and a team that values clean sets and disciplined technique, and Tennessee gives Lomu a physical identity and faces a weekly rotation of defensive fronts that will push him to develop quickly, beneficial for his growth by December.

A common thread among these teams is that Lomu’s early value lies in protecting the quarterback’s comfort, not through highlight-reel pancakes, but through consistent wins.

This includes the snap where a rusher attempts to bend around the edge and fails, the instance where an edge rusher attempts to convert speed to power but cannot collapse the pocket, and the moments where a stunt occurs, and the tackle remains square enough to pass it off smoothly.

Teams selecting in that range are generally playoff contenders, and playoff teams are tired of losing because their offensive line struggles against competent athletes.

In summary, Lomu appears to be the type of tackle who can start early and instill confidence in coordinators. We must wait to see which team he will fit the best with.

The post 3 best Caleb Lomu destinations in 2026 NFL Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. teased a potential reunion with Titans QB Cam Ward during an interview at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“[Rueben] Bain said he had a formal interview with the Titans and felt like “he killed it.” Said Cam Ward talked to him every time Ward came back to Miami and said he would love for Bain to be a teammate again,” Titans reporter Terry McCormick wrote on Wednesday.

Bain and Ward played together on the Hurricanes during the 2024 season.

A potential reunion between the two Miami stars is not just a fun story. It is a legitimate possibility ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Tennessee holds the fourth overall pick in the draft. The Titans have needs all over the roster, which could allow them to take the best player available at almost any position in the first round.

Bain could be a natural fit in Tennessee for a few reasons. He is arguably the best edge rusher in the entire draft class. That alone could guarantee he goes off the board in the top five.

It would not be surprising to see Saleh prioritize defensive players in the draft. So a blue-chip player like Bain, who already has a relationship with Tennessee’s franchise quarterback, feels like a no-brainer.

As such, multiple mock drafts have paired Bain with the Titans to start the offseason.

Ultimately, it looks like the Titans should have the opportunity to pick Bain if they want him. The question becomes will the Titans actually pull the trigger.

It will be interesting to see if Bain and the Titans are still paired together in mock drafts closer to the draft.

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After an up-and-down tenure with the New York Jets, which ended in the middle of his fourth season, Saleh returned to the San Francisco 49ers, for whom he served as the defensive coordinator just as he did before he got hired by the Jets. Back calling plays on the defensive side of the ball with the 49ers not only helped him land the Tennessee Titans head coaching job, but it also apparently gave him a new perspective on how he should approach things in Nashville.

“One of the things that I feel is my strengths is my connection to the players, and I felt not calling plays, for example, in New York kept me from being connected to the players the way I feel like I need to be able to build the relationships that are needed to have success,” Saleh said on ‘The Rich Eisen Show’.

After being hired by the Jets in 2021, Saleh, who had been the 49ers’ defensive coordinator for the previous four years, hired Jeff Ulbrich as New York’s DC. While the Jets ranked last in the NFL in points against, they rocketed to fourth-best in the league the following season. They finished 12th and 20th in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

In his four years as the Jets head coach, the team went 20-36, including the 2-3 start to the 2024 season that resulted in his dismissal. Saleh joined the Green Bay Packers, reuniting with longtime pal Matt LaFleur, before returning to the 49ers as their defensive coordinator. The Niners ranked 13th in terms of points scored against.

Saleh comes to the Titans on the heels of a second straight three-win season for Tennessee, which fired head coach Brian Callahan after a 1-5 start this past season.

The post Titans’ Robert Saleh reveals biggest regret from Jets tenure that he plans to fix appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Speaking in the lead-up to the NFL Combine, Saleh would speak about the 2025 No. 1 overall pick out of the University of Miami and how, besides his ability on the field, he’s “very personable.”

“You know, one thing I appreciate he does, he’s in there every day,” Saleh said about Ward, via the team’s official X, formerly Twitter. “He’s working out, but he…I don’t think there’s a day that he goes by without popping in, saying ‘Hello.’ Think he knows everybody in the building’s name, which I think is impressive for a young quarterback, for a young man, just in general, he’s very personable.”

"A man who is built the way he is, who is wired the way he is, who works the way he does…it's very rare that those people don't find success"

HC Robert Saleh on @Cameron7Ward pic.twitter.com/ezZ4LqamXk

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) February 24, 2026

In his rookie season, Ward threw for 3,169 yards to go along with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Titans’ Robert Saleh speaks more on Cam Ward and his leadership

As the Titans look to give Ward more weapons and bolster the offense, there’s no doubt that the team is building around Ward with Saleh and Daboll up to the challenge. If there’s one thing for certain, it’s that Ward has the mentality and personality of a leader, which Saleh expresses.

“It is very important…that building is very, very, very important to him, and you can tell that he wants to lead it, and he’s learning every single day what it takes to be a leader,” Saleh said at the Combine. “And there’s no doubt, I’ve said it before, a man who’s built the way he is, who’s wired the way he is, who works the way he does, it’s very rare that those people don’t find success. So we’re excited to get to work with him.”

At any rate, Ward and Tennessee are looking to improve after finishing with a 3-14 record last season, putting them comfortably last in the AFC South.

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With Daboll’s history of improving QB play, this allows Saleh to extend most of his focus to the defensive side of the ball, his specialty. There is a great chance that the Titans select a defensive player in the first round of the NFL Draft in a few months, while also being very active in free agency.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the Titans selecting Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese in his latest mock draft. He is considered to be one of the best, if not the best, defensive prospects in this draft. In this instance, Reese would actually be the third defensive player taken and second from Ohio State.

“Reese’s instincts and burst are all over the tape. I’m still ranking him as a linebacker at the moment, and he could help Tennessee there. But new coach Robert Saleh might very well move him to the edge, where he played the majority of the time in 2025. Although the Titans’ 42 sacks tied for 12th most last season, 11 of them came from defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons on the interior. The edge is a weakness. Reese could be a high-impact player in this unit no matter where he lines up.”

This offseason could tell a big story about the direction the Titans are heading in.

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Yes, receiver Alec Pierce would give the Titans a nice deep threat. But he would not fix their main issue. They need a guy who can win against press coverage and man.

Now, this article isn’t targeted toward the best long-term solution. The direction is to find a guy who would fix the Titans’ biggest flaw for the upcoming season. And that is a veteran receiver.

WR Mike Evans would fix the Titans’ biggest flaw

One thing quarterback Cam Ward didn’t have as a rookie was a guy who could get open quickly and consistently. So when the rush came hard and fast, Ward either tried to make a scramble play or got overwhelmed. He needs a guy who can make plays when time isn’t really there, according to ESPN.

“Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike are the top returning receivers for quarterback Cam Ward,” Turron Davenport wrote. “Calvin Ridley will likely be a cap casualty. Ward needs a go-to guy who can beat one-on-one coverage in the clutch.”

Evans can do that, according to NFL.com.

“There aren’t many true ‘X’ receivers who can win on the outside and physically beat press coverage,” Gregg Rosenthal wrote. “Though Evans missed time in 2025, his tape shows he’s still that dude.”

The first thing that stands out about Evans is his age. He will turn 33 before the 2026 season begins. And one has to wonder if the wear and tear of 12 NFL seasons has caught up with him. He played in only eight games during the 2025 season. His yards per catch average was the lowest of his career, and his three touchdowns tied a career low.

However, Evans may have one or two more good seasons left. He’s a unicorn among NFL receivers in terms of age. Yes, he’s winding down. But he’s the type of veteran who could help Ward. It would also help Ayomanor and Dike develop in the second NFL go-around.

Would the Buccaneers let Evans get out of Tampa?

Maybe not. General manager Todd Licht said in 2024 that the organization knows what Evans brings to the table, according to ESPN.

“He’s an unprecedented player,” Licht said. “We want him to be a Buc for life.”

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield said Evans simply brings something different to the football field.

“That fire — it just demands everybody to raise their standards,” Mayfield said. “We love that Mike is vocal about it. He obviously expects greatness out of himself and expects people to rise to the occasion as well.”

Evans could help Ward step to the next level

Signing a player like Evans would be as much for Ward as anything else. The Titans need Ward to take a major step forward in 2026. Or else they might need to start looking for a different franchise quarterback.

Ward had some bright spots in 2025, according to ESPN.

“Ward showed flashes of being a playmaking quarterback, especially after the Week 10 bye, when he passed for 10 of his 15 touchdowns,” Davenport wrote. “Tennessee is hoping Year 2 will be even better, especially if Ward can get help.

“Veteran receiver Calvin Ridley is the wild card. Sure, he has some issues with drops, but when healthy, he’s easily a 1,000-yard receiver. There’s a chance Ridley isn’t around if the Titans decide to shed his $26.7 million cap hit and absorb the $13 million dead cap hit if they release him.”

And that means they need to fill the gap. Evans would be the type of veteran presence that could elevate Ward. And that would be the fix for the Titans’ biggest flaw going into the 2026 season.

Another consideration for Evans is Saleh. The Titans must take steps forward in Saleh’s first year. His initial head-coaching run with the Jets didn’t live up to expectations. So he needs to get off to a good start with the Titans to avoid landing on the hot seat after just one season.

The Titans don’t have to win double-digit games. But they need to be closer to 10 wins than to the measly totals they’ve produced over the last two seasons.

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Bain is profiled by some as a can’t-miss prospect. Others point to his inadequate size when compared to other NFL edge rushers.

But the naysayers won’t push him too far down the board.

Edge rusher Rueben Bain would be a great fit for the Titans

The Titans have a high-enough draft pick to be in the market for a talent like Bain. If things go as expected, the Raiders will take quarterback Fernando Mendoza first. And the Jets will follow at No. 2 with linebacker Arvell Reese.

That would put the Cardinals on the board, and they could go with Francis Mauigoa, an offensive tackle.

This fits perfectly for Bain. That’s because he would settle under the wing of Robert Saleh. The Titans’ new coach is so good on the defensive side of the ball that it would not be shocking to see him mold Bain into an instant star.

We’re not talking as good as Micah Parsons was as a rookie for the Cowboys. But close.

He’s similar to Brandon Graham, according to NFL.com.

“Note taker, grudge holder, and block destructor with a compact frame and defensive tackle play strength,” Lance Zierlein wrote. “Bain is ill-tempered with his take-ons, hitting blockers with heavy hand strikes. He plays through tight ends and can anchor against tackles and double teams.”

But the concerns are there.

“His lack of length can lead to him being smothered if he doesn’t land the first strike,” Zierlein wrote. “He can bend and flip his hips at the top of the rush, swipe away punches, and generate a strong bull rush. His playoff run showed an ability to generate quick wins if tackles are passive in setting to him. He can rush off the edge or mismatch guards as a sub-package rusher. Bain’s explosive power and toughness should translate, giving him a high floor as an NFL starter.”

Zierlein tagged Bain as a Year 1 starter. And if the landing spot is with Saleh and the Titans, it’s easy to see Bain finishing in the top three of the defensive rookie of the year voting.

But if the Titans pass, it’s not bad for Bain and great for …

Commanders would be ideal landing spot for Bain

The first objection might be the pitiful state of the Commanders’ defense. But keep in mind that the addition of Bain goes a long way toward fixing the biggest problem.

The Commanders don’t need an army of guys getting to the quarterback. They just need one guy who can get there enough to make opposing offenses pay attention. Because Bain should either get sacks or force the opponent into double-teaming the plan-wrecking menace.

There’s another reason why a DC destination would be great for Bain. And that’s the Commanders’ new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones. Getting his first shot and needing to make a quick impact, Jones should stick with the aggressive approach he learned under Brian Flores.

So how does that impact Bain? Because the Commanders will be willing to bring extra people. That means a free run for them, or one-on-one opportunities for Bain.

Here’s another reason why Bain fits with the Commanders: head coach Dan Quinn. A lot of credit for Micah Parsons’ immediate impact with the Cowboys as a rookie went to Quinn. He’s a defensive-minded head coach who gets a lot out of his players.

It’s not to say that Bain is Parsons. But if Bain can tap into the teaching prowess of Quinn, he could hit the ground running with the Commanders.

Chiefs would love to get their hands on Rueben Bain Jr.

It turned out to be a good year for the Chiefs to miss the playoffs, if they get the right guy at No. 9. And Bain would fit seamlessly into the Chiefs’ winning organization. The team needs a youthful boost for its defensive line, according to profootballnetwork.com.

“Their defensive line is something that could use a bit of a facelift as Chris Jones continues to age,” Jacob Westendorf wrote. “Part of the appeal to Jones was his ability to move both inside and play on the edge in obvious passing situations.

“Bain Jr. is another player who could fit that role. It will be interesting to see how he performs at the combine. Still, if he’s able to play inside in some passing situations while also playing defensive end, the Chiefs are likely to value that type of positional versatility.”

This might be the best landing spot for Bain from a career standpoint. Everybody wants to play for a winner. And despite the ugly season in 2025, the Chiefs are still primed for great things. This may be Bain’s quickest path to a Super Bowl.

And there’s enough talent on the defense to not put too much pressure on him to rack up sacks beginning in Week 1.

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The Titans’ cap situation made their head coaching vacancy a desirable job opening, even with the team going just 19-49 in its last four seasons. After a quiet 2025 free agency period, Tennessee is expected to make a lot of noise in March.

While building around Ward is the team’s ultimate goal, Saleh brings a defensive mindset that the Titans have not had in years. Saleh filled out his staff by hiring former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator and bringing Gus Bradley with him from the San Francisco 49ers as his defensive coordinator.

The Titans do not need more cap space, but they do need to clean house. Before general manager Mike Borgonzi and Saleh can truly get to work, they need to give the head coach a clean slate and cleanse their roster of a few aging veterans.

Trade or release RB Tony Pollard

Running backs have notoriously short life spans in the NFL, and Tony Pollard might already be on the downside. If the Titans are ever going to capitalize on his value, it has to be in the 2026 offseason, before Pollard enters his contract year.

Tennessee could release Pollard, which would save $7.2 million in cap space, per Over The Cap. None of the $6.74 million base salary he is owed is guaranteed.

But with Pollard coming off four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, the Titans could still maximize his value in the trade market. If Borgonzi can find a running back-needy team willing to take on Pollard on an expiring contract in exchange for draft capital, that would be the team’s best-case scenario.

Pollard has been serviceable for the Titans, but at 28, his timeline does not align with Cam Ward’s. Tennessee has five picks between Round 2 and Round 5, which it could use to find the perfect complementary running back to Ward in Brian Daboll’s offense.

Trade WR Calvin Ridley

Coming off a 1,000-yard season in 2024, the Titans envisioned Calvin Ridley being the veteran No. 1 receiver Cam Ward needed in his rookie season. Ridley was anything but that, tallying just 303 scoreless receiving yards in seven games before suffering a season-ending broken leg.

The devastating injury put a bow on the worst year of Ridley’s career. Ridley has always been a boom-or-bust-type player, but he is clearly not part of the Titans’ future plans, despite his contract. The 31-year-old has no chemistry with Ward, which would only further strain his return to a new offense once his leg recovers.

While Tennessee could release Ridley outright, he is only halfway through the four-year, $94 million deal he signed in 2024. Only $50 million of that deal is guaranteed, but the Titans might find more value in trading the veteran receiver than cutting him in the offseason.

No team should view an aging Ridley as its leading receiver anymore, particularly coming off a detrimental injury. He is still a high-quality starter who would immediately boost nearly any contender’s receiving corps.

The Titans need to look to trade Ridley before the draft to free up the most cap space, but releasing him would also benefit their long-term plans.

Trade or release CB L’Jarius Sneed

Like Calvin Ridley, the Titans gave L’Jarius Sneed a massive contract in the 2024 offseason, hoping he would change their entire defense. Two years into the deal, Tennessee can only be feeling buyer’s remorse, with Sneed only appearing in 12 of the team’s 34 games since putting pen to paper.

Sneed has not even come close to being the player the Titans paid for when he has been on the field. He has arguably been the team’s worst coverage cornerback, allowing 22 catches on 42 targets for 331 receiving yards and four touchdowns since 2024, according to Pro Football Focus.

With Sneed turning 29 in January, there is little hope the results will improve any time soon. He still has enough name value for Borgonzi to potentially take advantage of in the trade market. If not, the Titans have to seriously consider releasing Sneed in the 2026 offseason, which would save them up to $15.5 million in cap space with a post-June 1 designation, per Over The Cap.

The Titans’ defense needed Sneed two years ago, but they are in a different situation in 2026. Saleh has a different vision for the team, one that Sneed might not fit into at this point in his career.

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Coming off another poor season, the Titans are hungry for a turnaround. But like every NFL team, they have to crunch the numbers and exhibit financial sense while still maintaining a competitive group.

And one slightly difficult call is an edge rusher.

Titans should let edge Arden Key walk

The 29-year-old Key has played eight NFL seasons. And the 2025 version didn’t turn out so great. He started only nine games and finished with four sacks. That’s his lowest total since 2020 with the Raiders. Also, the 11 quarterback hits matched his lowest in five seasons.

After signing a three-year, $21 million contract, Key didn’t light up the Nashville skyline. And Key hasn’t done himself any favors with his comments, according to tennessean.com.

When asked what the future holds, he said, “Oh, I’ll be on somebody else’s team. We don’t know what team, but definitely on somebody else’s team.”

That seemed to rule out staying with the Titans, but Key also said, “I don’t know. It’s up to them. We’ll talk and see what the business holds.”

When asked if he wanted to return, Key said, “Yeah, yeah. I bought a house here, growing a relationship with a lot of people here. The community did some things out in the community that I’ve shown and that I haven’t shown. I’ve been here three years. Why not stay?”

So, it’s kind of confusing. But Key didn’t endear himself to the Titans. And because his production didn’t overwhelm the distractions, it makes sense for the Titans to let him go.

Titans should part ways with TE Chig Okonkwo

There may be some debate here. But the numbers are the numbers. In four seasons with the Titans, Okonkwo has career highs of 560 yards and three touchdowns. It’s hard to get excited about that production.

And if that’s not enough, check out his overall grade from Pro Football Focus. He finished the 2025 season at 59.9. That ranked No. 30 among 37 rated tight ends. He was slightly better as a receiver, ranking No. 24. But that’s still below average.

It doesn’t make sense for a new Titans coaching staff to keep Okonkwo. They should bring in a younger guy and see if he can top those mundane numbers.

And it’s not like they would be kicking him to the curb. Okonkwo’s talent will keep him in the league. Maybe with the Patriots, according to ESPN.

“Austin Hooper is a free agent, and Hunter Henry is entering the final year of his contract,” Bill Barnwell wrote. “With Okonkwo and Henry on the field, the Patriots could create more matchups out of two-tight-end sets. Plus, coordinator Josh McDaniels could game plan for Okonkwo’s versatility as a pass catcher on screens and crossers.”

And that’s probably where Okonkwo belongs. He needs to be in a secondary role instead of a team’s primary guy at the tight end position.

Titans should cut K Joey Slye

First, kickers are a dime a dozen. Unless a team has an elite guy like Brandon Aubrey, there’s no reason to keep a retread around. And that’s what Slye is. He missed seven field goal attempts in the 2025 season and one extra point.

He ranked No. 15 among 36 rated kickers in terms of field goals, according to Pro Football Focus. But he ranked No. 31 in kickoffs among 41 rated.

It’s not a money thing, it’s more of a find-a-slightly-better guy deal.

However, he did well from distance, hitting nine of 14 attempts. If the Titans keep him around, that will be what saves him.

The Titans kept John Fassel as the special teams coordinator. That might help Slye’s case a bit. Saleh said he likes what Fassel brings to the special teams, according to tennesseetitans.com.

“I’ve coached against him a number of times,” Saleh said of Fassel. “And I know the special teams coordinator on my side of the field has always had sleepless nights leading into that week. His reputation not only as a football coach, but also as a person, is second to none. Just having him here is awesome.”

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Daboll will be coming into a situation where he knows the players on offense, one of them being wide receiver Calvin Ridley. It wasn’t a great season for Ridley, and he was in trade rumors during the season before suffering an injury that cost him to miss the rest of the year.

There are now rumors going around that Ridley could be a cut candidate, and Daboll was asked about that possibility in a recent press conference.

“I’m not going to answer roster questions. I do know Rid He was great for me at Alabama and I’m looking forward to working with him,” Daboll said via Terry McCormick of the Titan Insider.

If Daboll is able to work with Ridley, it should be a good revival for the wide receiver and his time with the Titans. Daboll has shown throughout his time as an offensive coordinator that he can scheme open receivers, and Ridley should know after being alongside him when he was at Alabama.

The other person who should benefit from Daboll is Cam Ward, who had a solid rookie season, but was not able to use all of his skills to their fullest with the previous staff.

The hope is that the entire offense can take a big step from this past season, and they still have time to add talent from the draft, as well as free agency. Daboll will probably have a voice when it comes to what moves they decide to make on offense, and he may have a say in what they do about Ridley.

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During his introductory press conference, the 50-year-old coach listed several main reasons for choosing the Titans. Daboll claimed that his relationship with Robert Saleh, Mike Borgonzi’s vision for the franchise, and having the opportunity to call plays for Ward all played a factor in his decision.

“It felt like the right fit with the right people,” said Daboll. “[I] obviously have a relationship with Robert [Saleh], in back to New York days. His vision of what he wants to do and how he wants to do it. Mike [Borgonzi] and the vision that he has. And then ultimately Cam [Ward] was a big factor. Have a lot of confidence in this young man… I look forward to working with him.”

Titans OC Brian Daboll on why he chose the Titans pic.twitter.com/9UIRtIsrBg

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) February 18, 2026

Brian Daboll goes on to explain that he liked Ward during the pre-draft process in 2025. The former head coach of the New York Giants got to know the 23-year-old quarterback well during that time. Daboll liked his college tape and likes that Ward now has a full year of professional experience under his belt as well.

After being let go by the Giants, Daboll had plenty of interviews around the league, both for head coaching and offensive coordiantor roles. He seemed to be a finalist for the Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders head coaching jobs at first. Brian Daboll was also in the mix for the OC role for the Eagles. However, the Titans won him over and brought him on to the coaching staff.

It’s been a slow but steady process in Tennessee. After several years of inconsistency, the franchise started making big changes last offseason. In 2025, the Titans named Borgonzie the new general manager and cleaned house in the front office. This offseason, the organization kicked it all off with a complete overhaul of the coaching staff.

With a new front office and a new coaching staff, the club aims to build a competitive roster. The Titans are projected to have about $100 million in cap space while owning the No. 4 pick overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The post Brian Daboll gives brutally honest reasons for choosing Titans over Eagles appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Pierce came into the league as primarily a deep threat out of Cincinnati, but he has evolved his game and become more of a well-rounded receiver as he enters his fifth season.

Catching the ball down the field is still what Pierce does best, which is a skill that a lot of teams will be coveting on the open market. Pierce led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the last two seasons, topping out at 22.3 yards per reception in 2024 and 21.3 per grab last season. In addition to that, Pierce eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career in 2025 and scored six touchdowns despite dealing with subpar quarterback play during the back half of the season.

In a relatively weak receiver market, Pierce is sure to be one of the best names available. Where could he land?

Tennessee Titans

The Titans have a franchise quarterback in Cam Ward, and the former No. 1 overall pick showed flashes of stardom during an uneven rookie season. The next step for Tennessee is helping smooth out those uneven moments that Ward had in his first season, and that starts with improving his supporting cast on offense.

Ward was playing behind a shoddy offensive line with one of the worst receiving cores in the NFL in 2025, and it showed with the lack of separation that this weapons were getting downfield. Pierce isn’t an elite separator, but his ability to make contested catches and attack the ball at the catch point makes up for that.

On top of that, Ward is a big-armed passer who can make plays down the field, and his creativity in the pocket allows him to extend plays to create even more big gains. The Titans have the most cap space in the NFL this offseason, per Spotrac, and adding Pierce would give him a go-to target to finish off some of those plays.

Buffalo Bills

It’s no secret that the Bills will be looking for plenty of receiver help this offseason after it was one of the primary reasons why they were knocked out of the playoffs, and Pierce would be a great place to start. On paper, the former Colt is a perfect fit with Josh Allen, who doesn’t mind taking a shot downfield and giving his receivers a chance to make a play.

During the back half of the 2025 season, Brandin Cooks was the primary guy on the other end of those plays. With all due respect to Cooks, who has had a great career, that’s a bad place to be for a team trying to win a Super Bowl.

Khalil Shakir is a quality slot receiver, but he works primarily on the inside. Buffalo needs someone on the outside to complement him, especially since the Keon Coleman pick isn’t exactly working out so far. Adding Pierce in free agency would be the perfect ingredient to supercharge this Bills offense in Joe Brady’s first season as head coach.

Pittsburgh Steelers

It’s unclear exactly what direction the Steelers are going in this offseason after replacing Mike Tomlin with Mike McCarthy, a decision which points toward Aaron Rodgers being back for another season in the Steel City. Rodgers had his ups and downs in 2025, but he still has enough left in the tank to run at least an average offense.

In order to do that, the Steelers need to beef up a receiver room that was very shallow outside of DK Metcalf last season. Rodgers and Metcalf developed good chemistry during their first season together, and adding Pierce would give Rodgers a pair of explosive weapons on the outside if he does decide to return next season.

McCarthy’s offenses in Dallas, with Dak Prescott at the helm, were some of the most explosive through the air in the entire NFL. If he wants to recreate that in Pittsburgh, adding Pierce would be a good start.

Pittsburgh has the eighth-most cap space in the NFL, according to Spotrac, so money shouldn’t be an issue getting Pierce in town. For an offense that desperately needs some more juice and has for years now, the deep threat should be at the top of their list this offseason.

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ESPN’s Matt Bowen listed the Titans as the best team fit for Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce ahead of free agency.

“With the Titans in position to be active in free agency, I like Pierce in Tennessee under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll,” Bowen wrote. “Pierce has the vertical stretch ability to produce down the field and can play a volume role as a multilevel target for quarterback Cam Ward. Pierce averaged a league-best 21.3 yards per catch in 2025.”

ESPN lists Pierce as the sixth-best free agent on the market during this offseason’s free agency cycle. He is behind top-rated receiver George Pickens, who came in second on the list.

Other top wide receivers in this free agency class include Mike Evans, Romeo Doubs, Rashid Shaheed, and Jauan Jennings.

The Titans know him well as a former division rival.

Pierce has been a consistent weapon for the Colts ever since joining the NFL back in 2022. But he had a huge breakout season in 2025.

Pierce hauled in 47 receptions for 1,003 receiving yards and six touchdowns during the regular season. It was the first time in his professional career that he went over 1,000 receiving yards.

That breakout campaign could have some teams viewing Pierce as a game-changing wide receiver before free agency. It would not be surprising if Tennessee is one of those teams.

The Titans will enter free agency with $104.77 million in cap space, the most in the NFL by a wide margin. That positions them perfectly to make a big acquisition for a player like Pierce.

The themes of Tennessee’s offseason should be upgrading their defense and creating a support system for Ward on offense. Signing Pierce would fit right in with that plan.

It will be exciting to see which players the Titans end up target during free agency.

The post Titans rumors: ESPN gives Cam Ward a shiny new weapon in free agency appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Rock bottom came again for the Titans, who finished at 3-14 and earned another high pick in the draft. But what direction will they go with that selection?

Let’s take a look at what the experts think.

Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State

Nate Tice and Charles MacDonald, Yahoo Sports;

This lands in the take-the-best-player strategy.

“Reese is a disruptive, explosive player who has upside as a pass rusher and run defender,” Tice and MacDonald wrote. “He would fit right in Robert Saleh’s defense off the edge and could create a wrecking duo with star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.”

Rueben Bain, Jr., EDGE, Miami

Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus; Mark Morales-Smith, Sports Illustrated; Joel Klatt, Fox Sports

“While the Titans need to continue to surround quarterback Cam Ward with talent, new head coach Robert Saleh will also want to add more to an edge room that earned the fourth-worst PFF grade as a unit in 2025,” Chadwick wrote. “Bain would immediately boost that group after leading all of college football with 83 pressures this past season.”

As for Klatt, he said the Titans will be influenced by their defensive head coach despite offensive needs.

“I’m a big believer that you have to try and give your young quarterback some help,” Klatt wrote. “They could certainly use some help upfront. But Robert Saleh comes in, and I believe that Bain is the type of player that the Titans’ new head coach can rely on.

“I loved watching Bain. He has an elite motor and talent. There will be a lot made about his arm length, but I’m not concerned about that. Just watch the tape. Watch the production. He’s an absolute gamewrecker.”

David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

Tim Crean, ClutchPoints; Chad Reuter, NFL.com.

Crean likes Bailey’s fit in a Robert Saleh defense.

“The slippery Bailey (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) isn’t the biggest edge player nor the best run-stopper,” Crean wrote. “But the Titans have Jeffrey Simmons for that. Saleh can work magic on a player like Bailey and turn him into a Nick Bosa-like player for Tennessee.”

Reuter said the immediate impact would matter.

“Bailey would immediately bolster their pass rush with his excellent combination of strength, speed, and bend,” Reuter wrote.

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Cynthia Frelund, NFL.com.

This is breaking from the mold. Frelund thinks the Titans will look to improve what’s in front of Cam Ward. And try to make life easier for him.

“Fano could play tackle or guard,” Frelund wrote. “He ranks as my top OL in this class based on his balanced results in pass pro and run blocking.”

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com

Offense is the choice for Jeremiah as well.

“This offseason is about helping Cam Ward take the next step,” Jeremiah wrote. “And that starts with doing a better job of protecting him. Mauigoa has excellent size/strength and still has room to develop.”

The overall roundup analysis

It’s easy to see the Titans settling on a defensive player. With Saleh taking over as head coach, it just makes sense.

But the biggest part of the equation will be decided by what happens in front of the Titans’ pick. If the Jets go defense and the Cardinals follow suit, it may push the Titans into considering Fano or Mauigoa.

There’s certainly an understandable direction if the Titans want more protection for Ward. There were times when they snapped the ball in 2025, and Ward had almost zero processing time. If that happens again in 2026, a strong defense won’t be able to make up for an offense that can’t compete.

However, if one of the top two lineman come off the board, and Bailey or Bain remain, it’s hard to see the Titans passing up on one of those talents.

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During a short interview before the game, the 23-year-old quarterback compared his basketball skills to that of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, according to Sports Central L.A. Ward also states that he was a serious hooper as an adolescent, and holds the record for most points scored in his high school.

“My career high is 50 [points],” said Ward. “That’s documented too. All-time leading scorer at my high school. So, you know, I gotta little hoopin’ in my background, but, you know, I love playing basketball… Kobe, for sure,” said Ward when asked who he models his basketball game after. “That’s my favorite player, and I think I just hoop exactly like him.”

.@Titans star QB Cam Ward is feeling confident ahead of the #NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at @IntuitDome #AllStarWeekend @CBSLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/kyUjZGFoyH

— Sports Central LA (@SportsCentralLA) February 14, 2026

It’s nice to see the former No. 1 pick having fun in the offseason. His final game of the NFL regular season ended abruptly in Week 18 after Cam Ward suffered a shoulder injury early in the first quarter of the Titans’ 41-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The injury was never considered serious, and Ward is expected to be fully healthy throughout most of the offseason.

After a miserable 2025-26 campaign, things are starting to look up for Tennessee. After hiring Robert Saleh as the new head coach, the Titans will focus on addressing the roster. The club is projected to have about $100 million in projected cap space and own the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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The Hall of Fame quarterback believes Saleh, who is 47 years old, will bring energy and leadership the Titans desperately need, according to Titans Insider Jim Wyatt. Young claims that Saleh’s previous head coaching experience with the New York Jets will benefit him, as Saleh will learn from his mistakes and be a better coach in Tennessee.

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Reports indicate that the Titans are naming Dave Borgonzi as the club’s linebackers coach, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. It’s said that Dave Borgonzi has been a rising prospect of a defensive coach for several years now.

“The Titans are expected to hire Dave Borgonzi as linebackers coach, per source. The brother of Tennessee GM Mike Borgonzi, Dave has been a highly respected assistant for years. Now he teams up with Robert Saleh, Gus Bradley, and company in Tennessee.”

He’s not the only family member on the staff, as the Titans also hired Robert Saleh’s cousin, Ahmed Salah, as a defensive assistant. Tennessee is building what is considered to be a strong coaching staff. It’s a direction the franchise desperately needs after several years of questionable leadership being in the building.

The Titans can now focus on the roster for the remainder of the offseason. Tennessee is projected to have around $100 million in cap space and own the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. After finding key talent in last year’s draft, expectations are high moving forward.

Additionally, look for the Titans to be active in free agency, as there are several key needs on the roster. With Saleh stepping in as head coach and Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator, they could swing some intriguing players in free agency.

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Coming off a 3-14 season, the Titans restructured their organization with the hiring of head coach Robert Saleh. And while Saleh is a defensive guy, the offense simply needs more weapons.

And that’s why the free-agent search should lean heavily in that direction.

Titans need to target WR Romeo Doubs

Let’s face it, the Titans don’t spark fear into anyone with their current receiver room. Now, there is hope that young receivers Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike will develop into something beyond what they showed in 2025 as rookies.

But totaling 89 catches between them for 938 yards isn’t even a No. 1 receiver when you put them together. Each player did find the end zone four times, so that’s encouraging.

But the Titans need to complement those guys without breaking the bank. Enter Doubs. In four seasons with the Packers, Doubs has hovered around the 50-catch mark. He has been over 600 yards in each of the last three seasons, hitting a career high of 724 last year.

However, consider these two things. First, the Packers apparently are allergic to a No. 1 wide receiver. They believe spreading the ball around is the answer. (How is that working out in the postseason, Matt LaFleur?)

Second, Doubs, despite this lack of attention, has scored 18 touchdowns over the last three years.

And here’s the reason he fits for the Titans. In a transition year for Ward, the Titans don’t have to pay a huge salary to get a star receiver. But Doubs would add to what they already have in Ayomanor and Dike. Ward would have three solid targets. And Doubs is used to sharing the ball anyway.

Still, Doubs could be on the verge of his best NFL season, according to Sports Illustrated.

“Doubs, 25, appears primed for a bigger role in a more beneficial system,” Lane Mills wrote. “As a free agent, the Titans won’t be the only ones to come calling. But with the most flexible cap in the NFL, Tennessee can inherently make an offer unlike any other.”

Titans should go after TE David Njoku

He should definitely be on the market, according to a post on X by Jordan Schultz.

“#Browns TE David Njoku announced on IG he will not return to Cleveland as a free agent and his time is over.”

And Njoku confirmed that he needs a fresh start, according to his post on Instagram via broncoswire.com.

“Cleveland, first off, I love you. These 9 years have been a beautiful journey. I’m … so grateful for all the memories we shared together. Thank you to The Haslams, Andrew Berry, and the whole browns organization for everything!! All my teammates, I shared the battle with. I’m so grateful for you guys. The time for me to find a new home has come, and all I can think of is just the gratefulness in my heart. The city of Cleveland will forever be home.”

Njoku is a nine-year veteran and 29 years old. But that should reduce the salary cost. And it would provide young quarterback Cam Ward with a stable safety blanket for at least the next couple of seasons.

Njoku is a good fit for Daboll and the Titans, according to Sports Illustrated.

“Although Njoku has been up-and-down dealing with injuries in the past few seasons — most recently questionable with a knee problem — the veteran TE has been a persistent bright spot in an otherwise abysmal Cleveland offense,” Lane Mills wrote. “With at least four touchdowns in each of his last five seasons, impressively maintained through Cleveland’s QB and coaching carousel, settling with the aforementioned Ward, and under offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, could do him a lot of good.”

Titans should chase C Tyler Linderbaum

This is where the Titans should spend their money. Linderbaum is set for a payday after four years with the Ravens and three Pro Bowl appearances. If he gets out of Baltimore, the Titans should pounce.

The Titans ranked No. 23 among offensive lines in the NFL in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus. Pass protection was a big issue.

“Tennessee’s front was among the least efficient units in the league in pass protection,” Zoltán Buday wrote. “The Titans ranked 25th in PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating (83.3), and they gave up 183 pressures, including 35 sacks — the second most in the NFL — on 651 snaps.”

Linderbaum also hits the mark as a run blocker, according to PFF.

“His 91.2 PFF run-blocking grade ranking third among centers,” Mason Cameron wrote.

He has career marks above the 85th percentile in both gap (79.2) and zone (92.4) blocking schemes. Although his pass-blocking grade (66.3) would not be a big upgrade from current center Lloyd Cushenberry III (65.5), the run help would be enormous.

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Ahmad Saleh, who is Robert Saleh’s cousin, is being hired as an assistant coach on the Titans’ coaching staff, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. Ahmad Saleh was previously the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Wayne State.

“The Titans are hiring Wayne State linebackers coach/special teams coordinator Ahmed Saleh, sources tell CBS Sports. Saleh, a cousin of new Titans head coach Robert Saleh, coached all-conference performers at both linebacker and on special teams this past season at Wayne State.”

Tennessee has not yet revealed Ahmad Saleh’s exact role. However, based on his experience, the linebacker position seems like a favorable spot. If that is the case, then Saleh would likely work directly under new Titans defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.

The organization made experience a focal point in hiring the coaching staff after letting Brian Callahan go midseason. Not only have the Titans hired Robert Saleh and Gus Bradley, but the club also hired Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator and retained John Fassel as special teams coordinator. All of whom have previous head coaching experience in the NFL.

After finishing last season with a 3-14 record, the Titans own the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Additionally, the front office has roughly $100 million of cap space to work with for re-signings and free agency. With an experienced coaching staff in place, the organization has a chance to improve the roster tenfold for next season.

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The Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans were pegged as the two teams rumored to be interested in Doubs, but only if the 25-year-old wideout doesn’t re-sign with the Packers, according to Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN. It’s believed Green Bay will at least have contract discussions with Doubs, but could prioritize extending tight end Tucker Kraft instead.

“The Packers can try to re-sign free agent receiver Romeo Doubs and/or extend tight end Tucker Kraft, a 2027 free agent. The door isn’t closed on Doubs in Green Bay. I’m expecting both sides to at least have some dialogue and see if a return makes sense. The Raiders and Titans will have my attention for free agent receivers. Both desperately need a difference-maker on the outside.”

Doubs has made a name for himself in a crowded wide receiver room in Green Bay. He’s coming off another solid season that saw the four-year veteran record 55 receptions for 724 yards (career-high) and six touchdowns. If he were to sign with either the Raiders or Titans, Doubs would likely emerge as the No. 1 option in the passing game, which is not the role he has with the Packers.

Rumors will likely continue to swirl around Romeo Doubs in the coming days. The Green Bay front office will have a chance to negotiate a new contract with the former fourth-round pick. The free agency window opens on March 11.

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Diggs is a productive player in his own right as he is a Pro Bowl cornerback and currently with the Seattle Seahawks, as they’re about to play in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots on Sunday. When asked about Ward, Diggs believes that he has “handled things great.”

“I think Cam handled things great,” Diggs said, via the team’s website. “I’m proud of him. But that’s who he is – he is somebody that doesn’t get rocked by hard times, and he is going to continue to push through it.”

“And, I think as the year went on, he continued to get better, and that’s all you can ask for,” Diggs continued. “It was definitely a learning experience, but I know he is going to put the work in, and I know he is going to be one of the great ones in this league.”

Quandre Diggs says that Titans’ Cam Ward will be “just fine”

As the Titans hope that Daboll is a perfect fit for Ward in the offense, the quarterback is looking to improve on his rookie season, where he threw for 3,169 yards, to go along with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Diggs is in his second stint with Seattle, as he was traded from Tennessee, where he spent two seasons.

Consequently, speaking more about Ward, he would say that he believes the changes to the franchise “should help” that the 23-year-old will be “just fine.”

“But I just think what has happened, they went and tried to put people around him that have had some experience in it, and I think he’ll be just fine,” Diggs continued.

At any rate, Ward and the Titans look to improve after finishing with a 3-14 record, finishing last in the AFC South.

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However, Titans legend Keith Bulluck sent a stern warning to future free agents who sign with the club. During a guest appearance on the “Outkick Hot Mic” podcast hosted by Jonathan Hutton and Chad Withrow of the Outkick Hot Mic podcast, Bulluck warned the future free agents that they better be ready to give it their all for the team. Especially if things go awry again in the 2026-27 campaign.

“[Jeffery Simmons] was the best defensive tackle on one of the worst teams in the NFL,” said Bulluck. “Very difficult to do. So, Big Jeff was drafted here. It means something to him. He’s a Titan. This is a message to any free agent that’s going to come to the Tennessee Titans.

“Don’t come with the bulls***. If they pay you, we want to see your worth. You get these free agents, they get their money, they get the bag, and then it’s very easy to go out there and play when you got a damn 15-point lead or, you know, you’re playing for something. But when you’re not playing for anything, you know, it’s a little harder to go out there and motivate yourself.”

Titans Legend @kbull53’s Message to @Titans Free-Agent Signings: “Don’t Come With the Bullshit”@HuttonOutkick @TheChadWithrow pic.twitter.com/SUDJHz7F0Y

— OutKick Hot Mic (@OutKickHotMic) February 5, 2026

The Titans cannot afford to sign or draft any duds in the upcoming offseason. With the franchise still in a rebuild, this offseason will be crucial for the future of this organization. Bulluck seems to want to make sure that the future free agents continue to play hard, no matter how the next season plays out.

Tennessee is projected to have between $99 million and $104.7 million in cap space. We should expect some of that money to go toward re-signing key players, while some should be focused on acquiring some talent through free agency.

Additionally, the Titans own the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. With solid draft capital, general manager Mike Borgonzi aims to add another strong draft class to the roster.

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It will be a lot of hard work, but the Titans have plenty of resources they can deploy this spring.

The Titans will enter the offseason with $104.77 million in cap space, by far the most in the NFL. If Tennessee wants to dominate this year’s free agency cycle, they are more than prepared to do so.

Still, the Titans could still make a few roster cuts because it is the start of a new regime.

Which players could become cap casualties for the Tennessee this offseason? And are there any players who could save the Titans a lot of cap space by being cut?

Below we will explore three Titans players who could be cut candidates early in the 2026 offseason.

It’s time for Tennessee to move on from Calvin Ridley

Can you believe that Calvin Ridley is already 31 years old?

Ridley will turn 32 in December and is firmly in the declining years of his career. His timeline no longer aligns with Tennessee’s, which makes this the perfect time to cut him and move on.

Honestly, cutting Ridley may be the most obvious choice the Titans make during the entire offseason.

The Titans can save $13.43 million in cap space by cutting Ridley. It gets even better in the future too. Tennessee will also get $27.25 million in cap relief in 2027.

Of course, the downside of cutting Ridley is losing a receiver who had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2023-24. But let’s not forget that Ridley broke his fibula in 2025, which is no easy injury to rebound from.

Ultimately, the Titans will be in the market for new offensive weapons this offseason either way. Cam Ward will be a big priority this offseason.

As a result, it wouldn’t change Tennessee’s plans too much to cut Ridley.

GM Mike Borgonzi won’t overthink this one.

Could Cody Barton become a cap casualty?

Some Titans fans may be surprised to see Barton on this list.

Personally, I’m not completely sold that Tennessee needs to move on from him. But let me make my case with the knowledge that it doesn’t start very convincingly.

If the Titans cut Barton, they will actually lose $1.38 million of cap space in 2026. So why even make the move?

One reason is it creates more space on the roster for Saleh to add younger players who fit his defensive scheme. That’s not saying Barton could not work in Saleh’s defense, but I imagine Tennessee would prefer to load up on rookies who can grow in Saleh’s program.

There’s also the fact that Tennessee would see $8.7 million in salary cap relief in 2027.

Personally, I think the Titans should be clearing as much cap space as possible to start their rebuild. So I may be more willing than some to part with a veteran like Barton simply for financial reasons.

I encourage Tennessee to embrace a youth movement and part ways with Barton. The rest can be fired out later this spring.

Titans should cut Tony Pollard, get younger at running back

Finally, there’s Tony Pollard.

The Titans can save $7.25 million in cap space by cutting Pollard this offseason.

Pollard will turn 29 years old just after the 2026 NFL Draft, which certainly puts him on the wrong side of the running back age cliff.

In fairness, Pollard did have 242 carries for 1,082 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2025. So it’s not like he’s a completely worthless running back.

That said, running back is easily the most replaceable position in the NFL. The supply of available running backs greatly surpasses the available positions in the league. In essence, there is some truth to the analytics argument about running backs.

I might push back if Pollard were truly a special running back, but I don’t think that’s true.

If Pollard is just another back, I don’t see why the Titans should pay an extra $7.25 million just to have him for one season.

Let’s also remember that the NFL does have rollover cap space, which allows teams to carry over unused space from one league year to another. So there is an argument to be made that cutting Pollard also helps the Titans have more cap space in 2027 too.

Ultimately, it does no harm to keep Pollard on the roster for one more season. Let’s be clear on that.

But I would advise Tennessee to cut Pollard and draft a rookie running back (or two!) on Day 3 of the draft.

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Recently, Ward spoke on why he is more than happy to take some constructive criticism from Daboll moving forward.

“He is going to get on my ass when he needs to, and he is going to hold me to a high standard. And that’s the standard I want to be held to,” said Ward, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz on X, formerly Twitter.

Daboll was indeed known as a no-nonsense style of coach during his tenure with the Giants, but he did seem to have a good relationship with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart during his time in the Big Apple. Daboll’s ability to connect with Ward and see things eye to eye with the young quarterback will be crucial for the Titans as they look to embark on a quest back into NFL relevance.

Ward showed some flashes of the talent that allowed him to become the number one overall pick last year during his rookie season, but overall, he struggled to produce much in the pocket, which was not helped by the fact that the Titans had arguably the worst offensive line in the NFL, frequently giving up pressures and sacks.

Part of Daboll’s job will be to configure ways for Ward to be able to utilize his immense skillset and move the ball down the field even when he’s under pressure behind a line that will likely only improve so much in one offseason.

Still, Titans fans have to be happy to hear that their quarterback is ready to learn under a well-respected offensive mind in the NFL.

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The coaching cycle was full of top-tier jobs, including two with MVP quarterbacks in Baltimore and Buffalo. The hires ranged from new faces, like Jesse Minter and Jeff Hafley, to retreads like Mike McCarthy, Kevin Stefanski and John Harbaugh.

Who should feel good about their hires, and who will regret the move in the years to come? Let’s go through the report cards for all 10 teams that made changes at head coach this offseason.

Arizona Cardinals: Mike LaFleur

The Cardinals struggled to find a good fit as the next head coach in Arizona, and it seemed like Kubiak may have been their top choice. However, LaFleur isn’t a terrible place to land for a team hiring so late in the cycle. He has worked with both Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan in the past and has some playcalling experience during his time with the Jets, as bad as it was.

McVay’s history of offensive coordinators leaving to become head coaches is excellent; All three of Liam Coen, Kevin O’Connell and Matt LaFleur were home-run hires for their respective teams. This isn’t a sexy hire because of the Jets stint, but there’s some upside here if LaFleur can make it 4-for-4 for the McVay tree.

Grade: B-

Atlanta Falcons: Kevin Stefanski

Stefanski’s reputation took a bit of a hit during his final few seasons in Cleveland, but he was far from the problem with a Browns franchise that is going nowhere at the moment. He won two Coach of the Year awards with the Browns, one of them while navigating five different starting quarterbacks on a team that made the playoffs.

How he fits with Michael Penix Jr. is a bit of a cloudy issue with this job, but Stefanski isn’t tied to the former top 10 pick and could likely move on to somebody else if 2026 doesn’t work out. With plenty of skill players at his disposal and a defense that should be competent, this is a strong hire for the Falcons.

Grade: B+

Baltimore Ravens: Jesse Minter

Minter came into this cycle as one of the top available candidates, in large part to his role in turning the Chargers into a top 10 defense over the last two seasons. Once John Harbaugh was let go in Baltimore, Minter was the obvious fit there, and now it’s a reality. The well-renowned defensive mind will now have even more talent to work with on that side of the ball, which should make this an elite unit.

The other side of the ball will likely be decided on the Declan Doyle dice-roll, at least in 2026. In the long term, however, combining a top 10 defense with Lamar Jackson is a recipe for winning. This one feels like a home run.

Grade: A

Buffalo Bills: Joe Brady

There’s two different ways to look at this hire. On the surface, Brady has been a head coaching candidate for years after leading a very good Bills offense led by Josh Allen. Buffalo will maintain its continuity on offense and should be one of the top offenses in the NFL once again in 2026 and beyond.

On the other side, didn’t Sean McDermott get fired simply because the Bills needed change in the building? Because this iteration of the franchise had hit a perceived ceiling in the postseason? McDermott wasn’t a bad coach by any indication and he was coaching a defense that was overachieving relative to its personnel at the end of the season. Promoting Brady feels complacent, and sort of defeats the purpose of canning McDermott in the first place.

Grade: C

Cleveland Browns: Todd Monken

I really have no idea what the Browns are doing. Cleveland is in need of a complete reset, especially on the offensive side of the ball, so much so that it fired an established head coach in Stefanski even though most of the blame for the Browns’ failures clearly falls on the roster-building by the front office.

A team in Cleveland’s spot needs one of two things: a young, wunderkind coordinator that can inject some life into the building, or an established culture-setter that can implement basic winning habits and give the team a respectable floor. Cleveland got neither of those, hiring someone who is about to turn 60 years old and has never been an NFL head coach. Monken feels like a bridge hire who will be out of Cleveland in a few years when the Browns are in a little better spot.

Grade: D

Las Vegas Raiders: Klint Kubiak

Kubiak has been incredibly impressive with the Seahawks in 2025, and will get one last chance to show off against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. From there, he will become the head coach in Las Vegas, where he has essentially a clean slate and gets to start off with Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers and presumably No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza on offense.

Kubiak’s offense grew stale in 2024 with New Orleans, but he has shown some real adaptability with the Seahawks. This Seattle team is running the ball well toward the end of the season, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is used as creatively as any star player in the NFL. He should have some great things in store for a core on offense that is much more promising than 2025 would make it seem.

Grade: B+

Miami Dolphins: Jeff Hafley

The Dolphins are in need of a transition away from the Mike McDaniel-Tua Tagovailoa era, and they landed on former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Hafley has experience as a head coach in power college football at Boston College, but he has only been back in the NFL for two seasons in Green Bay.

For a first-time NFL head coach, you want a quality that really sticks out. Hafley called a good defense in Green Bay, but is he an innovative mind on that side of the ball like Minter or Mike Macdonald? I’m not sure I see that. There’s a chance that he is a great culture-setter who will galvanize this group, but there just isn’t a track record here to get me inspired.

Grade: C-

New York Giants: John Harbaugh

Harbaugh becoming available is a dream for a Giants team that has some talent, but is in desperate need of a stable leader that will get them all on the same page. Harbaugh has been exactly that in Baltimore for more than a decade, and he has a lot to work with in New York. A Harbaugh-coached team with an elite defensive line, a solid offensive line and a few cornerstone young players on offense should be at least competitive right away.

Harbaugh has his flaws; he wouldn’t have been available if he didn’t. At some point, he will have to overcome the reputation the Ravens have built for blowing big leads and not playing their best in the playoffs. But for where this Giants team is at heading into 2026, this is as good of a hire as you can have.

Grade: A+

Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike McCarthy

This is another hire where the candidate himself is fine on the surface, but the direction of the franchise as stated by the hire doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. The Steelers have been a fringe playoff team ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired, and another embarrassing loss in the Wild Card Round seemed like it could be a good spot for a clean reset. The departure of Mike Tomlin made that even more clear.

Instead, the Steelers landed on another established floor-raiser in McCarthy, who will immediately make this a competent offense and get this team around .500 once again. What is that accomplishing for an old Steelers roster that has no answer at quarterback going into the future? McCarthy would have been a good fit in some spots, but I’m not sure much is changing for Pittsburgh with this hire.

Grade: C+

Tennessee Titans: Robert Saleh

Saleh got the short end of the stick during his stint with the Jets, where he was stuck with the worst quarterback situation in the NFL. However, he still led a competent Jets defense that magically fell off of a cliff when he was fired during the 2024 season. In 2025, Saleh did a remarkable job calling a 49ers defense that was riddled with injuries, keeping them afloat and even helping them win a playoff game.

The Titans’ defensive personnel isn’t anything to write home about, but another edge rusher or two could give Saleh a really good defensive line to work with. Brian Daboll will bring some experience and some pedigree to an offense that should improve with Cam Ward at the helm in his second season. This is an intriguing hire that could fail, like it did in New York, but Saleh absolutely deserved a second chance. This is a spot that makes sense for it.

Grade: B-

The post Grading all 10 NFL coaching hires in 2026 cycle, from John Harbaugh to Todd Monken appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“Sources: The Titans are hiring 49ers assistant HC Gus Bradley as their new DC,” Schultz wrote. “HC Robert Saleh will call defensive plays, but Bradley — one of the most respected defensive coaches in football — follows Saleh to Tennessee and will play a key role.”

One of the more experienced assistant coaches on the open market in 2026, Bradley has worked all over the NFL during his professional coaching career, coordinating defenses for the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Indianapolis Colts in addition to a head coaching gig with the Jacksonville Jaguars and an assistant head coach job with the 49ers in 2025. Bradley was widely considered a top internal target to replace Saleh in San Francisco before the 49ers opted to hire former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, but with the job no longer available, all signs pointed to Tennessee and a reunion with Saleh.

One of the top defensive minds in all of football, Saleh was largely hired by the Titans to bring his unique approach to Nashville for the 2026 season and beyond. With Bradley now on board, Tennessee is putting the pieces in place to field one of the better defensive units in all of football this fall.

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Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is excited about the “style” of defense that Saleh will bring to Tennessee.

“I (told) him: That’s my style of play,” Simmons said with a smile, per Titans senior writer/editor Tim Wyatt. “Everything Coach Saleh has said, that’s how I like to play the game. I like to play fast and violent, and everybody knows I am probably one of the biggest smack-talkers in the league, not only on Sundays, but I talk smack at practice.”

Simmons could not be more excited to play in Saleh’s defense.

“So, me and coach are going to get along just fine,” Simmons added. “I know the way he wants his guys to play, and that is my style of football.”

Simmons is hopeful that he can take his game to the next level with Saleh calling the defensive plays. He had a career-best 11 sacks during the 2025 season.

The post Titans’ Jeffery Simmons excited for Robert Saleh’s ‘style’ of defense appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Saleh hired Daboll almost immediately after accepting the job to set the table for Ward’s upcoming offseason. The 46-year-old head coach laid out the plan for Ward in the coming months, saying he and Daboll want to “go back to the beginning” with their new young signal-caller.

“Cam, from everything I’ve gathered, comes with an elite work ethic,” Saleh said at his introductory press conference. “The biggest thing we’re gonna work with Cam, just going all the way back to the beginning. We’ve got the whole offseason to work with him… Just talking with Dabes these last few weeks, he is the perfect man to match up with Cam and to maximize who he is. We’re really pumped to work with Cam and get him to where we all know he can be.”

"Daboll is the perfect man to match up with Cam." pic.twitter.com/LDEpCC4Qn7

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 29, 2026

Although Ward struggled through most of his rookie season, he discovered a rhythm over the final month. He ended the year with 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Ward threw eight touchdowns and just one interception in his final five games.

Daboll was recently fired by the New York Giants in 2025 after compiling a 20-40-1 record in four years. However, his lone quarterback project, Jaxson Dart, has looked successful thus far and is a finalist for the 2025 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Daboll now goes from working with Dart, the second quarterback taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, to Ward, the No. 1 overall pick.

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Thankfully, the Titans have plenty of resources to work with. They are projected to enter free agency with $93.51 million in cap space. They also hold the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Saleh will almost certainly want to load up on defensive talent, especially now that he is calling defensive plays as a head coach.

Will the Titans load up on defense in the draft? And if so, which prospects should Titans fans keep an eye on?

Below we will explore a seven-round Titans mock draft courtesy of the PFF mock draft simulator.

Round 1, Pick 4: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

Saleh makes a statement with the first draft pick of his new regime. It couldn’t be anything other than an edge rusher.

Bain is arguably the best edge rusher in this year’s draft.He is fast off the line of scrimmage and has all of the tools needed capitalize off that. He can convert that speed into power or use hsi incredible bend to snake around offensive tackles. Bain has an incredible motor and violent hands too.

He may not be the best pass rusher in recent memory, but Bain has plenty of tools in his belt. And he would be learning from one of the best defensive minds in the league in Saleh.

Tennessee suddenly has a solid defensive line since Jeffery Simmons and Bain are both players that opposing teams need to account for.

But wait, it gets even better…

Round 2, Pick 36: EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami

Can you imagine the reaction if Tennessee actually landed both Bain and Mesidor?

Bain and Mesidor were for a force for the Hurricanes in 2025. It would certainly be exciting if the Titans managed to land both players. Cam Ward would probably be thrilled too.

Mesidor is also a good pass rusher who has flashed some inside/outside versatility. Aside from that versatility, he has many of the same strengths and weaknesses that Bain does.

However, Mesidor comes with a few additional question marks. He is an older prospect at 25 years old, which might explain why he could be a second-round pick and not a first-rounder.

Mesidor also has a history of foot injuries that could have some scouts spooked about his long-term health.

Personally, I understand the appeal of reuniting Bain and Mesidor in Tennessee. It probably won’t happen, but would be an incredible story if did.

Round 3, Pick 66: CB Daylen Everette, Georgia

Everette has excellent size at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds. He is at his best when playing press man coverage or blitzing from the slot.

The big question I have is the pairing of Everette with Saleh’s defensive scheme.

Saleh likes to run a lot of Cover 3 and quarters coverage while sprinkling in man plays. Meanwhile, Everette is at his best in man coverage.

If this pick actually happened, I imagine it would be because Saleh and his staff have confidence that they can improve Everette’s zone coverage skills.

Regardless, it is still a solid use of a third-round pick.

Round 4, Pick 101: WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame

Fields is another physical player who Saleh would love to have on his team.

The senior receiver transferred to Notre Dame after four seasons at Virginia. He has great size at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. He uses the combination of his size and speed to gain massive separation from defenders, making himself a friendly target for quarterbacks.

Naturally, Fields is also great in contested catch situations because of his size.

Perhaps Fields’ x-factor is his history at the quarterback position. He understands what a quarterback is seeing better than most receivers because he’s been there himself.

Fields does not have a perfect scouting profile, but he could be a solid X receiver for the Titans in 2026.

If he develops well, he would be a steal in the fourth round.

Round 5, Pick 140: G Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M

The Titans could use a replacement for Kevin Zeitler at right guard. They address that need on Day 3 of the draft.

Reed-Adams considered declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, but opted to return to Texas A&M for one more season. It ended up being a great decision.

The 6-foot-5, 325-pound guard improved his draft stock by refining his technique during his final season of college football.

Reed-Adams projects as an excellent run blocker who could make an immediate impact in the NFL.

He is still a raw prospect who has room for improvement. If he can take his game to the next level, he could become an incredible player for the Titans.

Round 5, Pick 142: C Pat Coogan, Indiana

Tennessee adds another offensive lineman just two picks later.

Coogan projects as an adequate depth player at center, but he might not be Tennessee’s center of the future.

Thankfully he can sit behind Lloyd Cushenberry and serve as a depth player during his rookie season while he adjust to the Titans’ offense.

Even if he never becomes a starter, Coogan is still a decent process pick in the fifth round.

Round 6, Pick 183: S Robert Spears-Jennings, Oklahoma

Spears-Jennings projects as a slot/safety hybrid who excels when playing in zone coverage.

He struggles against talented route runners when in man coverage. That should give scouts questions about how well he would hold up in man at the NFL level.

But Spears-Jennings is a force defending the run and can hold his own in zone coverage.

This pick is a little bit risky, but I can see Saleh attempting to turn him into a Talanoa Hufanga-type defender.

Round 7, Pick 238: LB Lander Barton, Utah

Barton comes from a football family. Both his brothers Cody and Jackson made it to the NFL, setting a clear path for Lander for what it takes to succeed as a pro.

Saleh will love that Barton looks like a modern NFL linebacker. He has the speed and coverage skills needed to thrive in today’s pass-happy game.

Barton is not a complete prospect, but could easily improve with more coaching. Saleh and the Titans need to bank on that if they select him in real life.

Regardless, hard to complain about a late seventh-round pick.

The post Titans’ 7-round 2026 NFL Draft according to PFF mock draft simulator appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The 46-year-old Saleh is known for being a culture-changer, and he expects to do the same with the Titans right away. When asked how his team will be playing in 2026, Saleh said the league will immediately notice how “fast and violent” Tennessee is about to become.

“Fast and violent, man,” Saleh said, via Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. “Play in and play out, we’re gonna play with speed, we’ll play confident. We’re gonna have some swag. Talk a little s***. I want them to show who they are. Like I said, the one thing you’ll notice is the speed at which we play and the violence at which we do it.”

#Titans HC Robert Saleh on what he wants his team to look like:

"Fast and violent, man! Play in and play out. … We're gonna have some swag. Talk a little… sh*t. I want them to show who they are." pic.twitter.com/BDM2U45oWH

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 29, 2026

The Titans desperately need a culture change after two aimless seasons under Brian Callahan. Tennessee has won just six games in the last two years and has not made the playoffs since 2021.

Saleh has already gotten to work since the Titans hired him on Jan. 22. While he continues to search for a defensive coordinator, Tennessee hired former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll as its offensive coordinator.

Saleh returned to his old job as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator in 2025. In his lone season back with Kyle Shanahan, he led an injured roster that finished 29th in scoring defense in 2024 to 13th in 2025.

In his four seasons as head coach of the New York Jets, Saleh never had a winning season, but he was credited with digging a lifeless franchise out of the dirt. Since his abrupt firing, the Jets have not won more than five games in a single season.

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Saleh confirmed that he will be calling defensive plays during his introductory press conference on Thursday.

He even joked about what it felt like when he wasn’t calling plays during his time as Jets head coach.

“I didn’t call plays in New York, I just kind of gave it all to the coordinators even though we were still part of the game planning an all that” Saleh explained. “I joke with [GM Mike Borgonzi] that on gameday when I didn’t call plays that I was just the red flag and timeout guy….I had the greatest seat in the house as a fan.”

Saleh’s tenure in New York never worked out, so it is good to hear that he’s making a change in Tennessee.

He also explained why he views play-calling duties as important during this next phase of his career with the Titans.

“Calling plays for me, it’s not necessarily about control but it’s about connecting with the players,” Saleh added. “When you are a play caller and you are calling plays you feel the strain that you’re putting on them with each call. You’re feeling the connection, you’re feeling what everyone is going through…. I can feel the weight of an individual play call in those moments.”

Ultimately, Saleh is happy that he can have that connection to his players on gameday in Tennessee.

“To be able to call plays and maintain that connection [and] feel for what the players are going through is very important from my seat,” Saleh concluded.

It will be fascinating to see how Saleh constructs Tennessee’s defense this offseason. Especially now that fans know he will be calling plays on Sundays.

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NFL insider Jordan Schultz revealed that Daboll’s interest in Ward dates back well before the Titans selected him No. 1 overall. That offer underscores how strongly Daboll believed Ward could be a franchise-altering quarterback.

“The Titans were well aware of how much Daboll loved Ward. Why? Sources say the Giants made a massive push last year to trade up to No. 1 for Ward, offering the No. 3 pick, a 2025 first-rounder, and multiple Day 2 picks. The Titans declined.” Schultz posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Now, the two are set to work together in Tennessee. The Titans officially hired Robert Saleh as head coach and followed that move by bringing in Daboll, who had recently been dismissed by the New York Giants after a 2-8 start to his fourth season. While Daboll had been linked to several head coaching opportunities, including interest from the Las Vegas Raiders. However, Tennessee moved quickly to secure him for a key offensive role.

For the Titans, this pairing is about accelerating Ward’s development. The rookie showed flashes in his first year at Nashville, throwing for 3,169 yards with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions, but also endured constant pressure behind a struggling offense.

But here is the most concerning stat that’d need immediate fixing, and precisely why Daboll’s entry makes sense than ever, Ward was sacked 55 times, highlighting the need for both schematic help and better support.

And, Daboll’s resume offers reason for optimism. He played a major role in transforming Josh Allen from a raw prospect into an MVP-caliber quarterback in the Buffalo Bills, and later worked with Jaxson Dart in New York. While Ward isn’t Allen physically, the Titans are clearly betting on Daboll’s ability to tailor an offense around a young QB’s strengths.

The failed Giants trade attempt now reads like foreshadowing. Daboll didn’t just like Ward — he wanted him badly enough to mortgage huge draft capital in 2025. With Ward entering a crucial second season to prove his mettle, the Titans are hoping that long-held belief finally translates into real on-field progress, and that this coach-quarterback pairing can be the foundation of Tennessee’s next era.

The post Titans rumors: Brian Daboll’s Cam Ward appreciation shown by attempted 2025 NFL Draft trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

A few hours after the Daboll hire was announced, famous singer Jelly Roll, a known Titans fan, took to social media to announce the hire himself.

“OFFICIAL: The #Titans have signed Brian Daboll as Offensive Coordinator Per @jellyroll615,” reported Roll on X, formerly Twitter.

Overall, the initial reaction to Tennessee’s decision to hire Daboll seems to be mostly positive.

Daboll spent the last few seasons as the head coach for the Giants, leading them to a surprise playoff appearance in the 2022 season, before they fell into the NFL cellar over the last couple of campaigns. Daboll was fired from that job in November of 2025 amid the Giants’ ugly losing streak, but he remains a well-respected offensive mind for the modern NFL who will look to help revamp the Titans’ offense in 2026 and beyond.

Of course, the main building block that Daboll will have at his disposal is former number one overall pick Cam Ward, the talented quarterback who showcased some intriguing flashes throughout his rookie season in Tennessee. Unfortunately, the Titans’ abysmal offensive line play kept him from fully taking off in his first year, and Tennessee will have to work to get that remedied this offseason.

Still, overall, there is a lot more optimism surrounding the Titans franchise now than there was a few weeks ago, thanks in large part to the hires the team has made.

Up next for the Titans is the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, which is slated to take place in late April from Pittsburgh.

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On Tuesday afternoon, that vacancy was officially filled with a high-profile hire from the Titans.

“ESPN sources: The Titans are now set to hire former Giants head coach Brian Daboll as their offensive coordinator, contingent upon him not getting the Raiders head coaching job,” reported NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN on X, formerly Twitter.

Daboll spent the last few years as the head coach of the New York Giants before being let go by the organization amid their tailspin in November of this past season. However, he is still a respected offensive mind in the NFL, and will theoretically allow Saleh to turn more of his attention to the defensive side of the ball, which has long been known as his expertise.

Meanwhile, the Titans will be looking to construct a competent offensive attack around former number one overall draft pick, quarterback Cam Ward, who showed flashes of something special throughout his rookie season, but struggled to put together consistent production behind an offensive line that was among the worst in the NFL.

The hope will be that Daboll is able to configure a more modern offense in Tennessee that allows Ward to play to his strengths while mitigating his weaknesses.

It remains to be seen where the Titans will go to fill up the remaining vacancies on their coaching staff.

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And the main reason is defense. When teams get good on the defensive side of the ball, they give themselves a chance to win. Saleh put together a pair of 7-10 seasons with the Jets before getting fired after five games in the 2024 campaign.

He took over a terrible defense in 2021. But over the next two years, the Jets were a top-five unit in yards allowed.

Robert Saleh was better with Jets than meets the eye

The defense finished No. 4 in yards allowed in 2022 and No. 3 in 2023. And it wasn’t a mirage, according to NBC Sports.

“All in all, the defense was top-notch when he was there,” Chris Simms said. “They had an eye for top-notch talent as well.”

However, the offense didn’t give the defense a chance to finish teams off.

“Offensively, there (were) maybe some mistakes,” Simms said. “It’s a better defense than where it was ranked for the year. Horrible offensive play … led the defense to really falling apart at times. If their offense just was respectable, I believe the Tennessee Titans defense would have been a top-half of the league-type defense last year.”

Still, defense is an area Saleh will have to overcome with the Titans. It may look bleak from a 2025 performance standpoint, but there is hope. The Titans ranked No. 30 in points allowed and No. 31 in total yards this season.

And Saleh will clean up the offensive problems. Sure, the Titans won’t be an offensive juggernaut. But look for the mistakes to be minimized. And that alone will make the defense better.

How will Saleh do it? Leadership.

“If you’re looking for true leaders, Saleh knows how to lead,” Simms said. “I think he’s somebody who can lead this Tennessee Titans defense. (It has) more talent than people realize.”

Plus, Saleh may call the defense. That makes a ton of sense. And it would make the team better overall.

Will the Titans improve their roster?

That goes without saying. This team won’t be the butt of jokes it endured in 2025. The Titans are No. 1 in effective cap space. And they are going to spend money.

One player they could target is Chargers pass rusher Odafe Oweh, according to Pro Football Focus.

“With Robert Saleh and the Titans agreeing on a contract to be named their next head coach, the first order of business in Tennessee will be to revamp a defense that struggled on the edge,” Mason Cameron wrote. “The Titans generated solid sack numbers but failed to produce pressure off the edge, generating just a 19% pressure rate (28th).

“To his credit, Oweh led two different teams in PFF pass-rush grade (among defenders with at least 100 pass-rush snaps), generating a 71.1 mark with the Ravens before being traded to the Chargers, where he earned a 77.7 figure. Cumulatively, Oweh’s 78.0 PFF pass-rush grade finished 18th among all qualifying edge rushers.”

But the Titans also need an offensive upgrade. The line ranked No. 23, according to PFF. They need to add at least one solid player to improve that unit.

“Despite having a strong unit on paper, Tennessee’s front was among the least efficient units in the league in pass protection,” Zoltán Buday wrote. “The Titans ranked 25th in PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating (83.3), and they gave up 183 pressures, including 35 sacks — the second most in the NFL — on 651 snaps.”

It wouldn’t hurt to add a veteran receiver who could push for No. 1, or at least be a very strong No. 2. Elic Ayomanor or Chimere Dike would have to ascend to a true No. 1 for that to work.

What about Robert Saleh and Cam Ward?

This is the final piece to 2026 success. Saleh will need to work with his offensive coordinator and get Ward into the mold of playing solid football.

Ward can make the splash plays. But this team needs him to be solid first. And one of the best things about Ward is his touchdown-to-interception ratio as a rookie. The volume of TDs wasn’t there, but 15 compared to seven is not bad. That’s especially true considering the coaching situation Ward had to endure.

Still, Ward fumbled 11 times, losing seven. If he gets better overall at taking care of the ball, the Titans could go from no chance at the playoffs to being on the fringe. Even as early as Saleh’s first year.

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With that in mind, Saleh is bringing in a familiar face to be part of his defensive coaching staff. Paul Kuharsky reports that Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton is headed to the Titans to join Saleh. Whitecotton was part of Saleh’s staff when he was the head coach of the New York Jets.

Saleh bringing some of his old Jets coaches to Tennessee. https://t.co/sV8U1mN30h

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 27, 2026

Whitecotton was also under consideration earlier this season to be the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator after they fired Matt Eberflus. However, Dallas has decided to hire Christian Parker, who was an assistant coach for the Eagles in the last two years. With that, Whitecotton is heading to the Titans to coach a defensive line headlined by Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat.

After firing Brian Callahan in the middle of the season, the Titans started their search for a new head coach. Callahan’s stint with the Titans was disastrous, finishing with a 4-19 record. It will be interesting to see what Saleh does with Tennessee, who has 2025 first overall pick Cam Ward as their signal-caller.

Saleh’s last stint as a head coach did not end too well. Hired by the Jets in 2021, Saleh compiled a 20-36 record through his time in New York. New York boasted a strong defense under the former DC, but his clashes with Aaron Rodgers, as well as the injury issues experienced by the quarterback, did not help matters. Saleh was eventually fired in 2024, returning to the 49ers as their defensive coordinator.

The 49ers had a rag-tag defensive lineup due to injuries to their key players, but Saleh was still able to field a competent enough unit to make it to the Divisional Round. The Titans hope that Saleh has learned from his past errors and leads the team to success in 2026 and beyond.

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Reports indicate that the Titans are planning to interview Kliff Kingsbury and Adam Stenavich for the offensive coordinator position, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Both Kingsbury and Stenavich are considered high-caliber OC candidates across the league.

“The Titans plan to interview Kliff Kingsbury and Adam Stenavich on Monday for their offensive coordinator job, per sources.”

Initial reports regarding Brian Daboll claimed that he is the preferred OC candidate for the Titans. However, he is in the mix for the head coaching jobs for the Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders. It was originally said that Daboll would accept the offensive coordiantor role in Tennessee if he was not hired as the head coach in Buffalo.

Kingsbury and Stenavich each have impressive resumes and should be viewed as legitimate candidates for any team in the league. Kliff Kingsbury has head coaching and offensive coordiantor experience, both at the college and pro levels. His most recent stint was with the Washington Commanders, where he helped develop Jayden Daniels for two seasons.

Meanwhile, Adam Stenavich has not been a head coach yet in his career. However, he’s proven to be a reliable coach for the Green Bay Packers. After initially being hired by the club in 2019, Stenavich worked his way up to the OC role by 2022. His tenure in Green Bay has allowed him to play an integral role in helping develop quarterback Jordan Love.

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Before reportedly accepting the offensive coordinator job at the Ohio State Buckeyes, Smith held discussions with multiple NFL teams searching for offensive leadership. NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic revealed the scope of that interest on social media.

“The Philadelphia Eagles and the Tennessee Titans had been having conversations with Smith, but in the end he decides to take the job as OC at Ohio State.” Russini posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Those talks came at a time when both franchises were evaluating their offensive futures. Philadelphia was exploring options after moving on from Kevin Patullo, while Tennessee, under new head coach Robert Saleh, was prioritizing the offensive coordinator role as he assembled his first staff in Nashville.

Smith’s name carried weight. He previously interviewed with the Eagles during their head coaching search in January 2021 before landing the Atlanta Falcons job, where he posted three consecutive 7-10 seasons and finished with a 21-30 record. After his dismissal in Atlanta, Smith resurfaced as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator, earning renewed respect for his work during their 2025 AFC North title run while managing an aging Aaron Rodgers.

The Titans’ interest was especially logical. Smith had already met with general manager Mike Borgonzi during Tennessee’s earlier coaching search, and his familiarity with the organization made him a natural candidate as Saleh explored alternatives amid Brian Daboll’s uncertain availability.

Ultimately, Ohio State provided clarity and stability for Smith. The Buckeyes had been searching for a new offensive coordinator after Brian Hartline departed to become South Florida Bulls’ head coach. While head coach Ryan Day opted to tap into NFL experience once again, adding Smith to a staff that already includes the former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia.

Smith’s hiring continues a recent trend in Columbus. He becomes the second former NFL head coach to serve as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator in three years, following Chip Kelly’s title-winning stint in 2024.

For the Eagles and Titans, the search continues. For Smith, the move marks a rare return to college football — and a chance to shape one of the nation’s most talent-rich offenses as Ohio State looks to build on its championship foundation.

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With a five-year contract in place, Saleh’s immediate priority is building a competitive window around young quarterback Cam Ward. Organizational leaders have praised his detailed approach to player development, signaling a shift toward sustainable success as the franchise looks to move past recent struggles and return to AFC contention.

So the news said that the Titans are interviewing Texans defensive backs coach Dino Vasso for their vacant defensive coordinator job, according to Ian Rapoport on X. Vasso arrives with significant momentum, as mentors Matt Burke and Jim Schwartz have been pushing for him behind the scenes.

This endorsement from established veteran coaches highlights Vasso’s rising reputation within league circles. After years of working under respected defensive minds, he finally gets a shot to showcase his ability to lead an entire unit. For Saleh, who is a defensive specialist himself, finding a coordinator like Vasso who shares a disciplined and aggressive philosophy is a critical step in establishing the team’s new identity on that side of the ball.

On the offensive side, Tennessee is preparing for multiple scenarios depending on the movements of the broader coaching carousel. While Brian Daboll remains a primary target for the offensive coordinator role, the team is also considering several experienced alternatives, such as Kliff Kingsbury, Arthur Smith, Adam Stenavich, and Bobby Slowik.

So, the remaining pieces of the Titans’ staff are expected to fall into place. The upcoming weeks will be decisive for the franchise as they transition from the hiring phase to the active reconstruction of the roster for the 2026 season.

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Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk made a firm statement about Saleh after his hiring was officially announced by the team on Thursday.

“We’re delighted to welcome Robert and his family to the Titans, and firmly believe he is the right person for our team and community,” Strunk said in a statement, per NFL.com’s Christian Gonzales. “We immediately connected with his competitive spirit and detailed approach to developing our players and team. Also, Robert’s recommendations from across the league were overwhelmingly positive and were only reinforced during our time together.”

Saleh also received praise from Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi. The pair will work closely together as figureheads of the organization.

“Robert embodies the fundamental values of what we believe a Titan should look like and represent,” Borgonzi said. “He’s smart, tough, dependable, and values working with people. His innate ability to lead and respond to adversity is what makes him the right person to lead our football program back to one whose identity embodies sustainable success. We understand the urgency to win, and believe this is a step in that direction with a coach best equipped to accomplish our goals. The work has just begun, but I’m grateful for this partnership and excited to build this together.”

Saleh is a defensive mastermind who has thrived in two different stints as defensive coordinator with the 49ers.

He left the 49ers to become head coach of the Jets in 2021. Unfortunately, he only went 20-36 during the regular season after persistent issues at the quarterback position.

Saleh now gets another opportunity to prove himself as a head coach. But this time he already has a franchise quarterback on the roster.

The Titans still have plenty of work to do before they become a contender. But Saleh looks like he’s capable of turning around the entire organization.

Now Saleh’s next step is assembling a strong coaching staff to assist him.

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Rumors are suggesting that four candidates could be in the mix for the Titans’ offensive coordiantor position if Daboll is offered the Bills’ head coaching role. Kliff Kingsbury, Arthur Smith, Adam Stenavich, and Bobby Slowik are the candidates to keep an eye on, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.

“The Titans continue to work through offensive coordinator options, with Kliff Kingsbury, Arthur Smith, Brian Daboll, Adam Stenavich, and Bobby Slowik among the potential options, per sources. All have OC experience as Robert Saleh looks for the right man to work with QB Cam Ward.”

Titans’ new head coach Robert Saleh seems to be favoring experience for his first offensive coordinator hire. Daboll is well-known for playing a key role in developing Josh Allen when he was the OC in Buffalo. Meanwhile, Kingsbury is viewed as a quarterback guru who is coming off a two-season stint with Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders.

Adam Stenavich has been the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers since 2022, where he has helped develop Jordan Love. Lastly, Bobby Slowik has been a popular name in recent years for his work with the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, and Miami Dolphins.

From the looks of it, the Titans have several intriguing candidates to choose from. When that announcement will be made is currently unclear. But once the Bills make their official decision regarding the head coaching position, things should speed up and come to fruition in Tennessee.

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Dennard Wilson, who has been the Titans’ defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, will not be coming back to the organization for next season, according to team Insider Paul Kuharsky. Tennessee now must fill the DC job, along with the offensive coordinator position.

“Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is not being retained by the Titans and Robert Saleh.”

Saleh, who is 46 years old, plans to call defensive plays for the Titans on the sidelines during games. That’s the exact role Wilson had in Tennessee during his tenure with the organization. So, the club’s new head coach will be searching for a defensive coordinator to serve as a high-end assistant, while Wilson could land in a new defensive coordinator role with a different franchise.

Despite the Titans’ struggles, Wilson’s ability to get the best out of the defense was one of the few bright spots on the team these last couple of seasons. Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons was named a First-Team All-Pro for the first time in his career under Dennard Wilson. Additionally, second-year linebacker Cedric Gray recorded the second-most solo tackles in the league with 94.

For now, it’s unclear who Robert Saleh plans to hire as defensive coordinator. However, the offensive coordinator position is deemed more important in Tennessee, as that hire will have the role of further developing quarterback Cam Ward. Some names to keep an eye on for the Titans’ OC position are Brian Daboll, Kliff Kingsbury, Arthur Smith, Adam Stenavich, and Bobby Slowik.

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Remember these Titans

Tennessee closed the 2025 NFL season at 3-14, finishing last in the AFC South. It was a transitional season by design. With the selection of quarterback Cam Ward at No. 1 overall, Tennessee committed fully to a youth-driven reset. Ward flashed franchise potential, throwing for 3,169 yards and 15 touchdowns. However, the surrounding infrastructure failed him. A porous offensive line resulted in Ward getting sacked 55 times. That forced him into survival mode far too often.

Defensively, however, optimism quietly grew. Under defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, the Titans finished top 10 in passing yards allowed. That laid a foundation that suggests this rebuild won’t be a slow burn. With the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 draft and a ton in projected cap space, Tennessee enters the offseason with both flexibility and urgency.

Offseason priorities

That urgency sharpened when Tennessee hired Robert Saleh as head coach. He inherits a roster tilted toward youth on offense and age on defense. It is also one with a near-blank financial slate. The Titans could reportedly push their available cap space north of $108 million by moving on from veterans like Calvin Ridley and L’Jarius Sneed. Those were two costly swings from the previous regime.

Wide receiver stands out as the most glaring need. Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor showed promise. Neither, though, profiles as a true No. 1 target. Ridley was supposed to be that player, yet injuries and inconsistency prevented the plan from materializing. If Tennessee wants to accelerate Ward’s development, adding a proven, high-level receiver is no longer optional but essential.

Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Titans’ perfect DJ Moore trade offer if the Bears deal him after costly playoff blunder.

DJ Moore’s complicated 2025

For the Bears, the 2025 season marked both a breakthrough and a crossroads. Moore’s production dipped sharply. He had just 50 receptions, 682 yards, and six touchdowns. Those were career lows across the board. The Bears’ offense had shifted. With Rome Odunze emerging as the primary option and Luther Burden III demanding touches, Moore became a secondary piece rather than the focal point he once was.

Moore also posted a career-low 1.24 yards per route run. Sure, he delivered in some key moments. However, his season became defined by one costly error. In overtime of the Divisional Round loss to the Los Angeles Rams, a miscommunication with Caleb Williams resulted in a game-sealing interception. That moment, paired with Moore’s looming $28.5 million cap hit for 2026, has fueled legitimate trade speculation.

Tennessee as trade partner

If Chicago decides to recalibrate its receiver room around youth, Tennessee is the ideal landing spot. The Titans can absorb Moore’s contract without blinking. More importantly, they can offer a couple of things Chicago actually needs, which are financial relief and draft capital.

Proposed trade

Titans receive: WR DJ Moore
Bears receive: 2026 third-round pick (No. 66 overall) and a 2027 conditional fourth-round pick

This is not a splash-for-splash deal. It’s a pragmatic one.

Why Titans move

For Tennessee, Moore represents stability. Even in a down season, his resume includes eight years of consistent production and physical durability. For a young quarterback like Ward, Moore becomes the ultimate safety valve. He understands spacing, coverage leverage, and how to win when plays break down.

Pairing Moore with Ridley (if retained) would instantly give Tennessee one of the most versatile veteran receiver duos in the AFC South. More importantly, Moore’s presence would allow the Titans to ease younger receivers into defined roles rather than forcing them to lead prematurely. This is especially true if the Titans draft a WR in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft like Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.

Why Chicago listens

From Chicago’s perspective, the motivation is both financial and structural. Trading him before his March roster bonus triggers would save the Bears roughly $16.5 million in immediate cap space. That’s money that could be redirected toward fixing a defensive line that was exposed in the playoffs.

Structurally, the Bears are already pivoting. Odunze led the team in receiving yards, and the offense is clearly being built around Williams’ long-term timeline. Adding a Day 2 pick gives GM Ryan Poles another swing at reinforcing the trenches without compromising the team’s future flexibility.

Rare win-win

This isn’t about the Bears assigning blame for one playoff mistake. It’s about recognizing inflection points. For Chicago, that moment may signal a necessary transition. For Tennessee, it’s a chance to fast-track a rebuild without mortgaging the future.

If Moore is truly available, the Titans should pull the trigger as soon as possible. This is the kind of trade that doesn’t dominate headlines but quietly changes trajectories.

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Saleh is coming to the Titans as a defensive-minded head coach. For defensive tackle and team leader Jeffery Simmons, he’s excited to work with someone who knows how to coax the best out of any defense he’s around, via NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

“I was pretty pumped,” Simmons said when he found out about the Saleh hiring. “To have a defensive head coach, I had that before with Vrabel and now Saleh, that excites the hell out of me.”

#Titans All-Pro DT Jeffery Simmons tells me he is PUMPED to have Robert Saleh as his new head coach.

And how about this: Simmons told Saleh to come to Tennessee when they played each other in Week 15!

Full episode drops today! https://t.co/9hjhYCjkh7 pic.twitter.com/JOv3NIta3A

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 21, 2026

Simmons and the Titans took on Saleh in Week 15, as he was defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers. The defensive tackle was impressed with what he saw and jokingly asked if Saleh would join the Titans. Funny how life works out sometimes.

“Told me I was a hell of a player,” Simmons said. “I went up at the end as said, ‘You’re going to be in Tennessee next year, right?’ And it’s crazy that it’s actually happened. To see his energy on the sidelines, that’s contagious. To have that from a head coach now, I want to celebrate with my head coach, I want to see that fieriness on the sideline. That’s what excites me.”

Saleh will need to prove himself as a head coach after his 20-36 run with the New York Jets. However, no one is questioning his defensive acumen. Furthermore, his emotion on the sideline and ability to lead clearly resonated with the Titans.

Now, Saleh will have quite the chess piece to work with in Simmons. The defensive tackle has made the Pro Bowl the last two seasons and four times overall. He’s added a pair of All-Pro nominations while putting up 376 tackles, 87 quarterback hits and 42.5 sacks over his seven years in the league.

Tennessee’s new head coach will have quite the mountain to climb to turn the franchise around. But at least Simmons is confident in his ability to do so.

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The Athletic’s Dianna Russini dropped a bombshell rumor on where Daboll is expected to land during this offseason’s hiring cycle.

“The Eagles are conducting their offensive coordinator search with the understanding that Brian Daboll wants the Bills’ head coaching job,” Russini wrote on social media on Wednesday. “If he doesn’t land it, Daboll is expected to wind up in Tennessee as the offensive coordinator for Cam Ward and the Titans, per sources.”

Daboll was the offensive coordinator in Buffalo from 2018-21 before leaving for a head coaching job in New York. He would be a familiar face to Bills fans. Daboll is already one of the early candidates to replace Sean McDermott.

However, Daboll is far from the only candidate in contention for Buffalo’s head coaching job.

The Bills also have plans to interview OC Joe Brady along with a host of other candidates. Those include Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn, Colts DC Lou Anarumo, Jaguars OC Grant Udinski, and Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver.

Meanwhile, Daboll has already been linked to the Titans as a potential offensive coordinator candidate after Robert Saleh was hired at head coach.

Saleh’s connection to Mike McDaniel had him rumored as a fit in Tennessee. However, the Chargers signed McDaniel to their offensive coordinator position on Tuesday, which takes him off the board.

It is worth noting that Tennessee interviewed Daboll for their head coaching position. They also spent some time with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

Daboll is clearly in high demand. So much so that the Eagles don’t expect they could land him for their tempting offensive coordinator role.

It will be fascinating to see where Daboll lands and what ramifications that has for the team that doesn’t get him.

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With Cam Ward entering his second season, the Titans’ rebuild now hinges on whether it can pair its young quarterback with the right offensive architect. Ward’s rookie year provided a comprehensive understanding of his potential and limitations, as demonstrated by his impressive numbers. He finished his first NFL season with a passer rating of 80.2, throwing for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 17 games. The foundation is there, but without proper guidance, it risks stagnation.

The hire must accomplish two goals simultaneously by accelerating Ward’s development while aligning with recently hired head coach Robert Saleh and his physical, disciplined vision for the franchise. The Titans are not searching for a place holder, they are searching for an identity-setter.

Three candidates stand out as natural fits for that responsibility. Brian Daboll, Kliff Kingsbury, and Bobby Slowik. Each brings a distinct approach, but all three offer a path toward turning Ward’s flashes into consistent production.

Daboll is the most proven option available. His tenure with the New York Giants ended in early November of 2025 after a 2–8 start to the season, but his resume as a quarterback whisperer is difficult to ignore. His work with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills remains one of the league’s clearest examples of raw talent evolving into elite performance. Ward’s rookie season showed similar traits—arm strength, mobility, and creativity—along with bouts of inconsistency. Daboll’s aggressive vertical concepts and emphasis on situational confidence could help the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback convert efficiency into sustained explosiveness. Even during a turbulent final stretch with the Giants, Daboll guided rookie Jaxson Dart to an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist finish, reinforcing his value as an offensive teacher.

Kingsbury offers a different appeal built on modern innovation. After parting ways with the Washington Commanders following the regular season, he comes off a 2024 season in which he turned Jayden Daniels into the league’s Rookie of the Year and helped guide the Commanders to an NFC Championship Game appearance. His evolution of the Air Raid into a more balanced, run-conscious system makes him far more adaptable than his earlier reputation suggests. For Ward, whose rookie numbers reflect cautious decision-making, Kingsbury’s spacing concepts and deep-shot designs could increase scoring output without sacrificing efficiency.

The most intriguing name, however, may be Bobby Slowik. Although his exit from the Houston Texans followed C.J. Stroud’s second-year regression, which temporarily lowered his profile, Slowik’s subsequent work with the Miami Dolphins restored his credibility. Serving as senior passing game coordinator under McDaniel in South Beach, Slowik helped sustain a top-five passing attack despite persistent offensive line issues—experience that closely mirrors the challenges the Titans faced during the 2025 season.

Slowik’s strongest asset is his shared history with Saleh. Both were part of the San Francisco 49ers’ staff that helped establish one of the league’s most cohesive systems under Kyle Shanahan. The philosophical alignment—built on play-action, tempo, and quarterback protection—could provide Ward with the structure he lacked as a rookie.

Ultimately, this decision will define the Titans’ direction. Ward’s rookie season showed promise, but promise alone does not win games. Whether Tennessee prioritizes Daboll’s experience, Kingsbury’s creativity, or Slowik’s system continuity, the next offensive coordinator will determine whether Ward develops into a franchise quarterback or becomes another missed opportunity.

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“They (Titans management) went through Saleh’s detailed plan for Cam Ward, in which Saleh demonstrated a real command of what Ward would need, including staffing on the offensive side (with experienced candidates) and a second-phase plan should a coordinator leave,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote.

This is a second chance for Saleh. He was previously the head coach of the New York Jets, where he struggled to win games. The Jets fired Saleh, and he then spent the 2025 season as defensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers.

The Titans went 3-14 in the 2025 season, which was Ward’s rookie year. Tennessee parted ways with Brian Callahan, their former head coach, in the middle of the campaign.

Titans are hoping for big things from Robert Saleh

The Titans have the quarterback for their future in Ward. Tennessee’s rookie, who was hurt in the team’s final game of the year, finished his first NFL campaign with 3,169 passing yards.

Tennessee though just struggled to win games. The Titans reportedly had a fractured locker room, with players pointing fingers at one another. Saleh will be tasked with bringing together this group and turning it into a winning squad.

Saleh worked as defensive coordinator for the 49ers through two different stints. In his first stint, he helped San Francisco reach a Super Bowl. The Titans would love for him to lead them to the championship.

The new head coach is already working to put together his staff.

“Offensive coordinator, of course, is at the top of the list. Saleh is very close with ex-Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, but McDaniel has options,” Breer wrote.

Other possible offensive coordinator candidates for the Titans include fired New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, and former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury.

Titans fans are ready to see what their new head coach can do.

The post Robert Saleh’s plan for Cam Ward that made him the Titans head coach appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated explained on Tuesday why Tennessee may not be able to add Mike McDaniel at offensive coordinator.

“McDaniel has become an interesting name on the market,” Breer wrote on Tuesday. “He’ll do a second interview with the Browns on Wednesday. He met with the Raiders on Monday. And he’s in the last group with the Buccaneers, who, as we mentioned in the takeaways, could eventually present him with the opportunity to succeed Todd Bowles as head coach. That’s why, while he’s high on Saleh’s list, it’d be hard for the Titans to count on landing him. I’d also say it might be tough to get LaFleur out of Los Angeles.”

Saleh and McDaniel have been colleagues a few times before. They spent time together with the Texans (2006-08) and the 49ers (2017-20).

McDaniel would be an exciting hire for Tennessee, but Breer made it clear that it could be a long shot at best.

If the Titans do not land McDaniel, perhaps former Giants head coach Brian Daboll could be their guy.

“From there, Daboll becomes an interesting name, with his experience developing young quarterbacks (Jaxson Dart, Daniel Jones, Josh Allen) and his ties to both Saleh (the two coached opposite each other for three years in New York) and Borgonzi (the two worked together in Kansas City in 2012),” Breer added.

Daboll could be a candidate for Buffalo’s head coaching job too, so he is also not a sure thing.

Thankfully, Saleh has a close relationship with much of the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree. That means there should be plenty of coordinator candidates to choose from who Saleh already trusts.

It will be exciting to see how Saleh’s coaching staff takes shape in the coming weeks.

The post NFL rumors: Why Mike McDaniel will be tough catch for Titans despite Robert Saleh ties appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“One name that has come up in Tennessee as Robert Saleh’s offensive coordinator is Brian Daboll. He’s presumably a head coach candidate in Buffalo and will likely wait to see there. But he’s also taking OC interviews. Could the former New York head coaches unite in Nashville?”

That would make an interesting pairing of a highly regarded defensive mind in Saleh and offensive prowess in Daboll. Of course, that’s the reason Saleh is interested in adding Daboll to his staff.

The main concern is making sure Ward gets off on a strong foot in 2026.

Questions remain about Titans QB Cam Ward

Whoever takes over as the Titans’ next offensive coordinator will have Ward as either a springboard or a millstone.

One thing that must get better is ball security. Ward led the NFL with 11 fumbles, and the Titans lost seven of those.

It might help if Ward gets better receivers. Elic Ayomanor showed promise this season. But overall, the group is uninspiring.

And Ward needs better protection. The Titans ranked No. 23 among offensive lines in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.

“The Titans again invested heavily in their offensive line, but the moves have yet to pay dividends,” Zoltán Buday wrote. “Despite having a strong unit on paper, Tennessee’s front was among the least efficient units in the league in pass protection. The Titans ranked 25th in PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating (83.3), and they gave up 183 pressures, including 35 sacks — the second most in the NFL — on 651 snaps.”

And it made life risky for Ward, according to an NFL executive, speaking anonymously, according to The Athletic.

“He’s running for his life most of the time,” the executive said. “His offensive line is terrible. You grade when things are done right, as much as you can. Throw out the negative plays when they aren’t his fault. Take some of those, too, to see where he can learn and fix things. You look for the flashes, and then hope they can really push it into next year.”

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The rivalry between the two coaches got started this past season after the Jaguars beat the 49ers, 26-21. Before the game, Saleh talked to the media and said how Coen and the Jaguars used a form of legal “sign stealing.” Coen did not take kindly to those words and got into a heated postgame exchange with Saleh that went viral.

Saleh’s exact words before the game were, “Liam Coen and his staff, a couple of guys coming from Minnesota, they have a really advanced signal-stealing type system where they always find a way to put themselves in an advantageous situation. They do a great job of it.”

“They formation you to try to find any nugget they can,” Saleh continued. “We have to be great with our signals. Be great with our communication to combat some of those tells we might give on the field. They’re almost elite in that regard.”

The clip that circulated everywhere after the game was of Coen confronting Saleh by saying, “Keep my name out of your mouth. Keep my name out of your f***ing mouth.”

Saleh’s response to Coen was, “I’ll f**k your world up. You don’t wanna f**k with me. I will f***ing end your f***ing life.”

The situation quickly got out of hand, and team personnel from both sides had to intervene and restrain the two from each other. Now, the two coaches get to meet twice annually, thanks to being in the same division, and the buzz seems palpable.

The Titans have cap space and a potential star at quarterback after they drafted Cam Ward, and now Saleh offers some much-needed stability at head coach.

The post Titans new HC Robert Saleh told Liam Coen he’d ‘end your f***ing life.’ Now they’re in the same division appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Titans and Saleh are expected to agree on a five-year contract according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

When the news of Saleh’s hiring broke, Schultz noted that Tennessee wanted “a true leader of men” which is exactly who they are getting.

Saleh was one of the Titans’ top head coaching candidates coming out of the Divisional Round weekend. Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who is close with Titans GM Mike Borgonzi, was another leading candidate.

Saleh already has head coaching experience in the NFL, which must have helped his candidacy in Tennessee.

He spent four years as the head coach of the New York Jets from 2021-24. New York went 20-36 during the Saleh era, though the team had plenty of issues that made it difficult to have sustained success.

Saleh landed that Jets head coaching job, in part, because of his excellent history as a defensive coordinator. He got back to his roots in 2025 after reuniting with Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco.

Tennessee must have been encouraged with how Saleh responded to all of the adversity in San Francisco this past season.

The 49ers were without Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, rookie Mykel Williams, and other defensive players for most of the season. Despite this, the 49ers only allowed 21.8 points per game which ranked 13th in the NFL.

San Francisco went 12-5 during the regular season and even toppled Philadelphia in the NFC Wild Card Round.

The Titans are in for an extensive rebuild. This Saleh hire suggests that defense will be a priority in Nashville.

It will be fascinating to see how Saleh builds out his coaching staff over the next few weeks.

The post Titans head coach Robert Saleh’s expected contract length revealed appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Titans are reportedly working to hire Robert Saleh as their new sideline boss, as reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. This is Saleh’s second shot as a head coach, having manned the New York Jets sideline from 2021 to 2024. He most recently served as defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers.

Saleh’s defense this season faced some challenges. The 49ers dealt with a litany of injury issues, with stars such as Fred Warner missing extended time. However, he was able to get respectable results from that side of the ball. San Francisco finished 12-5 this year and defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round.

As mentioned, this is Saleh’s second head coaching gig. He amassed a record of 20-36 in 56 games, and was fired midseason during the 2024 campaign. During his time, he was able to turn the Jets defense into a rather impressive unit. They finished top five for fewest yards allowed in two of his three full seasons with the team.

Saleh joins a Titans team that offers a lot of flexibility. Tennessee has its quarterback of the future in Cam Ward on the roster. However, they own the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. And they have $100 million in cap space to work with. It will certainly be interesting to see what Tennessee and its new coach can do this offseason to strengthen its roster.

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The Hurricanes are playing for the much-coveted title for the first time since winning it in 2001, and Ward and Restrepo want to make sure that they are on hand to witness the team’s possible return to the mountaintop.

Ward and Restrepo, who starred for Miami in 2024, were spotted chatting on the field before the game, as shown in a video on X.

Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo together at the Natty

(via 305sportss/IG) pic.twitter.com/o77aq4bIfy

— Cam Ward Muse (@CamWardMuse) January 20, 2026

While the 23-year-old Ward only played one year at Miami, his impact was immediate, elevating the team to one of the country’s most explosive offenses. He set multiple records, including most passing yards (4,313) and most passing touchdowns (39) in a single season.

The star quarterback’s performance earned him major recognitions, including ACC Player of the Year and a nod to the All-America First Team.

The Titans drafted Ward as the No. 1 overall pick in 2025.

The 23-year-old Restrepo, meanwhile, had a five-year stint at Miami, becoming one of the school’s most beloved players. He arrived as an unheralded wide receiver in 2020 before having a breakout campaign in 2023.

By the end of his run with the Hurricanes in 2024, he owned the most career receptions (200), most receiving yards (2,844), and most receiving touchdowns (21) in school history.

The Titans plucked Restrepo from free agency after going undrafted.

Ward and Restrepo may have failed to give Miami a national title, but their presence should give the current players an extra boost in battling the Hoosiers.

As of writing, Miami is down by 10 points in the first half, 10-0.

The post Titans’ Cam Ward, Xavier Restrepo take in national championship game in Miami reunion appeared first on ClutchPoints.

It makes a sensible fit, according to a post on X, formerly Twitter by the Rich Eisen Show.

“Where could Sean McDermott potentially land next?” Tom Pelissero said. “Baltimore is certainly one that I could see making a lot of sense for Sean McDermott. And the other one would be Tennessee.

“We know the Titans have pursued John Harbaugh. They wanted to speak to Kevin Stefanski before he took Atlanta. Given the aggressiveness of Tennessee, they’ve got a quarterback. Great place to live. New stadium opening. There are aspects of that job I would say don’t count them out for Sean McDermott.”

@TomPelissero

Who's on #BillsMafia head coach radar after they fired Sean McDermott after nine seasons?#NFL #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/L35OS15kts

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) January 19, 2026

Where would Sean McDermott likely avoid?

Because of his previous success, McDermott likely wouldn’t take over a rebuilding process.

“It doesn’t make a ton of sense for him to go into a total rebuild,” Pelissero said. “He’s 51 years old. He’s been there every year, been in the playoffs every season here in recent years.:

That likely rules out the Raiders and Cardinals, Pelissero said.

One thing that seems certain is that McDermott will land somewhere. Even though he hasn’t gotten over the hump, there seems to be a belief in NFL circles that he could get there.

Still, McDermott got ushered out of Buffalo because he fell short too many times, according to ESPN.

“He didn’t finish the job,” Alaina Getzenberg wrote. “In a results business, McDermott was incredibly successful, winning 10 or more games in seven straight seasons, the longest active streak in the NFL. The Bills are one of six teams in the Super Bowl era to have a streak that long.

“The firing comes down to what McDermott didn’t do, but perhaps more substantially, a clear decision by (owner Terry) Pegula to go with (general manager) Brandon Beane’s vision for the team moving forward. And the general manager winning out in receiving the owner’s faith in building the vision for the future.”

However, the problem with Beane is that he hasn’t acquired good enough receiving weapons for Josh Allen. Beane stood behind his decision to go into this season with a receiver room that looked weak. And then it played weak. By all rights, Beane should have been first out of the door.

The post NFL rumors: Sean McDermott seen as head coach candidate for Ravens, Titans appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Reports indicate that Nagy, Saleh, and Jeff Hafley are officially the three finalists for the Titans’ head coach job, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Nagy and Saleh are both scheduled for second-round interviews on Monday, while Hafley is scheduled for a second-round interview on Tuesday.

“Sources: The Titans scheduled an in-person interview with 49ers DC Robert Saleh tomorrow afternoon. He’s a serious candidate, despite not overlapping with GM Mike Borgonzi. Matt Nagy tomorrow morning. Saleh in the afternoon, plus Jeff Hafley for Tuesday — TEN has its top 3.”

Matt Nagy, who is 47 years old, has previous head coaching experience with the Chicago Bears for four seasons. He and Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi have a history together with the Kansas City Chiefs, which is partly why Nagy has been considered a favorite for Tennessee’s head coaching job this offseason.

As for Robert Saleh, he has been considered a top candidate for a head coaching role throughout the 2025-26 campaign while serving as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. It is noteworthy that his first interview with the Titans was on Sunday. So, the franchise booked him for another interview immediately after meeting him for the first time in a virtual interview and named him a finalist.

As for Hafley, speculation is brewing that he is the favorite candidate for the Miami Dolphins’ head coaching job. Considering his second-round interview with the Titans comes a day after Nagy’s and Saleh’s, and a day after he’s scheduled to meet with the Dolphins, indicates he may be a long shot for Tennessee. Either way, it sounds like the Titans will hire their new head coach within the next couple of days.

The post Matt Nagy, Robert Saleh among Titans’ top 3 head coach candidates appeared first on ClutchPoints.

This sense of urgency is driven by the pressing need to find a leader who can maximize the potential of quarterback Cam Ward, the first overall pick in the 2025 draft.

By following a blueprint similar to Chicago’s successful development of Caleb Williams, Nashville is determined to secure a culture-changer who can finally turn the page on a disappointing era.

As part of this effort, the search has now moved into a decisive phase with the scheduling of second, in-person interviews for a narrowed list of candidates.

Ian Rapoport reported on X that the Titans are bringing back Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy early this week to meet with team leadership.

These finalists represent the primary focus of GM Mike Borgonzi as he looks for a coach capable of providing the stability the franchise lacked during Brian Callahan’s tenure.

Dianna Russini also confirmed that this group remains the top priority, though the team is also hoping to speak with Kevin Stefanski this Sunday before other suitors like the Falcons can act.

Stefanski has become one of the most prominent names in this cycle following his departure from the Cleveland Browns, and his fit with Tennessee is increasingly apparent. A two-time Coach of the Year winner, he brings a wealth of experience, having led Cleveland to two playoff appearances in a very competitive division.

Despite a recent record of 45-56, his offensive reputation makes him a natural candidate for a Titans roster currently built around a young signal-caller.

By bringing in specialists like Nagy, Hafley, and Stefanski for second rounds, the organization is ensuring it selects a leader who can finally unlock Ward’s talent and lead Tennessee back to postseason contention.

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With Harbaugh off the table, what’s next for the Titans and the rest of the teams looking for their new coach? Well, Ian Rapoport says that for them, business goes like usual. Tennessee, in particular, will be interviewing ex-Jets head coach and current 49ers DC Robert Saleh, as well as former Cowboys and Packers coach Mike McCarthy.

From @GMFB: What’s next for the #Titans and the rest of the 8 openings? pic.twitter.com/1hZAlnbOys

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2026

Rapoport also mentioned that Harbaugh’s swift hiring was an outlier. In recent years, the first head coach signing often sparked a chain reaction of other teams finalizing deals with their candidates. This year, though, Harbaugh’s sudden availability threw the cycle for a loop, with teams like the Titans and Giants racing to convince the coach. With Harbaugh joining the Giants, things will quiet down a bit in the coaching cycle.

The Titans are looking for a new head coach after sacking Brian Callahan in the middle of the season. Callahan was fired after two lackluster seasons in Tennessee where he went 4-19. With a valuable asset in Cam Ward, the team is looking for a capable head coach who can properly develop the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Ward will be a huge selling point in the Titans’ pitch to prospective head coaches. While his first season was rocky, Ward’s talent shone through in some games. The ideal blueprint for Tennessee to follow is Chicago, which hired Ben Johnson in Caleb Williams’ sophomore year and is currently in the divisional round.

The post John Harbaugh is going to Giants. What’s next for Titans after missing out? appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The New York Giants hoped Harbaugh wouldn’t leave his interview with the team on Wednesday without a contract. The Giants even brought Jaxson Dart in to meet with the coach. But despite New York’s aggressive push, Harbaugh reportedly left the team’s facility a free agent.

The coveted coach is scheduled to interview with the Tennessee Titans next, per CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. According to Zenitz’s sources, the Giants and Titans have emerged as “the main two teams to keep an eye on” with Harbaugh.

Giants’ QB, draft situation interest John Harbaugh

The former Ravens head coach also met with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this week. New York and Atlanta were initially considered the frontrunners to land Harbaugh. But Tennessee has suddenly leapfrogged the Falcons.

Harbaugh is believed to have three priorities in his job hunt. And chief among them is finding a team with a “solid quarterback.” The Giants’ Jaxson Dart likely checks that box for Harbaugh. But Atlanta’s QB situation is complicated.

Michael Penix Jr. tore his ACL in Week 11 and veteran passer Kirk Cousins filled in for the remainder of the season. Penix won the starting job in 2024 but he’s now suffered three ACL tears since 2018 (two of the injuries occurred while he was in college).

Harbaugh’s interest in Cam Ward has the Titans in the mix for the head coach’s services. It also helps that Tennessee has the fourth pick in the upcoming draft. The Giants have the fifth overall selection while the Falcons don’t have a first-round pick in 2026.

Tennessee is meeting with a slew of coaches for its job opening. The Titans began the interview process with Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. But the team was just getting warmed up. In addition to Harbaugh, Tennessee will meet with Kevin Stefanski, Raheem Morris, Mike McDaniel, Jason Garrett and Mike McCarthy.

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At the same time, Harbaugh has to be interested in the job as well, and there are some teams that have his interest. One of those teams is the Tennessee Titans, and Cam Ward is the draw for Harbaugh, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

“As we wait for John Harbaugh to finalize his interviews, sources say he likes what he sees in the Titans — Cam Ward, $100m+ in cap space, high picks, new stadium, GM Mike Borgonzi. Not saying he’s going to Tennessee. Just that, for now, I expect them to be firmly in the mix,” Garafolo wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The Titans have a good foundation for a coach looking to come in and build a culture, and Harbaugh may like what he sees from the outside looking in.

Ward just finished his rookie season and showed flashes of potential throughout the the year, but of course, there was a lot of dysfunction and lack of talent with a record of 3-14. With a coach like Harbaugh, who was big in the ascension of Lamar Jackson, and also coached Joe Flacco, he could do wonders for Ward.

A few days ago, there were rumors that Harbaugh was doing his research on Ward and Jaxson Dart, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.

“John Harbaugh is spending today and the next few days watching film specifically on quarterbacks Jaxson Dart and Cam Ward. He’s also been in contact with team decision makers, while continuing to communicate with potential members of his own coaching staff,” Dianna Russini wrote X.

Harbaugh is still taking interviews from other teams, so nothing is set in stone. The fact that he is considering the Titans is something that should be big for the franchise.

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The Chargers fell to the New England Patriots 16-3 as the offense could not get into a groove at all. The Patriots’ defense shut them down all game long, and Justin Herbert had another playoff flop. He is now 0-3 in the playoffs, with many questions surrounding his ability to lead.

On a positive note, the Chargers contained a very good defense led by Jesse Minter. Minter was Jim Harbaugh’s DC at Michigan and followed him to Los Angeles. Over the last two seasons, Minter has coached a top-five defense in the NFL. Now, he is a hot commodity on the market as there are going to be just about every available team wanting him as head coach or a DC. The Bolts were 9th in opponent scoring, allowing 20 points per contest in 2025.

According to Jordan Schultz, Minter has already been requested by four teams for head coach interviews. The Baltimore Ravens were the first team reported, followed by (in no order) the Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Cleveland Browns. The Ravens make sense because of the Harbaugh connection. Minter would join a familiar culture, aiming to keep the Ravens as playoff contenders.

If Minter coached his last game with the Chargers, then Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz will have a huge decision to make about hiring the next defensive coordinator. Harbaugh should seriously consider moving on from offensive coordinator Greg Roman if he wants to see the offense improve when it matters most.

The post Ravens, Raiders among 4 Chargers’ Jesse Minter head coach interview requests appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Titans have wasted no time in trying their luck with one of said coaches. Ian Rapoport reports that Tennessee is interviewing former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who’s currently in the team facilities now. Rapoport says that this will be Tennessee’s final interview of the season.

Stefanski is one of the hottest names in the coaching free agency class this offseason. Let go by the Browns after six seasons with them, Stefanski is a two-time Coach of the Year winner. His 45-56 record with Cleveland hides his two playoff appearances with the team in a crowded AFC North. He’s a worthy option for the Titans’ head coaching job.

The Titans fired former head coach Brian Callahan midway through his second season with the team. The former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator was ill-equipped to be the head coach, struggling to lead Tennessee to winning seasons in his two years. Mike McCoy stepped in as the interim head coach, leading the team to a 3-14 record this year.

While the Titans looked horrible this season, their coaching job is more appealing than it seems. Tennessee has 2025 first-overall pick Cam Ward, who showed flashes of his excellence under both Callahan and McCoy. A capable head coach should be able to draw out Ward’s potential with proper development. Tennessee also has the fourth overall pick this season, which can be used to continue to build a young team.

The Titans have a long list of coaches to interview. They’ve already completed interviews with Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Broncos DC Vance Joseph, Colts DC Lou Anarumo, and McCoy, their interim head coach.

The post Kevin Stefanski lands Titans job interview after Browns firing appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“Sources: The #Titans plan to interview former #Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel for their vacant HC position,” Schultz wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “This is the first known interview for McDaniel, who also has interest from other teams, including Cleveland, for their HC job.”

“Mike McDaniel is a coveted OC candidate for several teams,” Schultz continued. “He’ll have his choice on that. But he’s also going to get HC looks, and Tennessee is set to be first.”

As Tom Pelissero reported, there has been “significant interest” in McDaniel since he was let go by Miami, so even if the interview with Tennessee goes swimmingly, there could be major competition for the offensive-minded coach. The Titans are still looking for consistency at the role ever since firing Brian Callahan this past season, who was in the midst of his first year with the team.

Titans set to meet with many candidates for head coaching role

The Titans are set to meet with 15 coaches for the head role, which includes McDaniel, as listed by NFL Trade Rumors, with another big name being McCarthy, who has a connection with Tennessee president of football operations Chad Brinker.

“The Titans will interview former Packers and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy next Saturday, sources say,” Ian Rapoport wrote on X on Thursday. “McCarthy also has a Giants interview. McCarthy knows President of Football Operations, Chad Brinker, well from their [time in] Green Bay. Now, GM Mike Borgonzi will spend time with him.”

At any rate, it remains to be seen who the team will hire as its next head coach, but there’s no denying they have a bevy of options, as the Titans look to improve after a 3-14 record.

The post Mike McDaniel schedules head coach interview with Titans appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Reports indicate that McCarthy will interview with the Titans on Saturday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Tennessee, along with the New York Giants, are the two teams McCarthy has been set to interview with so far.

“The Titans will interview former Packers and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy next Saturday, sources say. McCarthy also has a Giants interview. McCarthy knows President of Football Operations, Chad Brinker, well from their [time in] Green Bay. Now, GM Mike Borgonzi will spend time with him.”

McCarthy is the 12th head coaching candidate to schedule an official interview or have already been interviewed with the Titans so far. The club’s list includes several current coordinators, such as Kansas City Chiefs OC Matt Nagy, Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo, Denver Broncos DC Vance Joseph, Indianapolis Colts DC Lou Anarumo, Pittsburgh Steelers OC Arthur Smith, Washington Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, Green Bay Packers DC Jeff Hafley, and San Francisco 49ers DC Robert Saleh.

The Titans have also scheduled interviews with some former head coaches, like ex-Atlanta Falcons HC Raheem Morris, former Cleveland Browns HC Kevin Stefanski, and former Dallas Cowboys HC Jason Garrett. Either way, nine of the 12 candidates have prior head coaching experience.

Tennessee is seemingly prioritizing coaches who have been a head coach before early on in the interview process. That is likely because of the nightmare situation the Titans were in with former head coach Brian Callahan, who turned out to be an utter disaster in his first year in the position.

We could see more names pop up in due time, as the franchise is casting a wide net in its search. Being able to find the right hire is crucial for an organization leaning on the development of quarterback Cam Ward. We should know the team’s official decision in the coming weeks.

The post Titans line up interview with Mike McCarthy for head coaching job appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Morris, 49, became available after the Falcons fired both him and general manager Terry Fontenot following the regular-season finale on Sunday, a 19–17 win over the New Orleans Saints. The victory put a bow on a four-game winning streak and left the Falcons at 8–9 for the second straight year. Despite tying for first place in the NFC South, Atlanta missed the playoffs due to tiebreakers. Morris ended his two-year run with the Falcons at 16–18, falling short of the postseason both years.

Tennessee dismissed Brian Callahan on October 13, after the Titans started 1–5 for the second straight season. General manager Mike Borgonzi has moved quickly to line up interviews, and Morris is among the experienced candidates under consideration. His overall head coaching record stands at 37–56, combining his time in Atlanta and a previous three-year run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011, where he went 17–31.

New York’s opening came after the Giants fired Brian Daboll on November 10, following a 2–8 start in his fourth season. Arizona entered the market on Monday, when the Cardinals parted ways with Jonathan Gannon after three seasons and a third consecutive losing year. Arizona finished 3–14 in 2025 and is now seeking its fifth head coach since 2017 and its second under general manager Monti Ossenfort.

Morris has more than two decades of NFL coaching experience. Starting in 2002 as Tampa Bay’s defensive quality control coach, he ascended to head coach by age 32. He also held roles with the Washington Redskins from 2012 to 2014 and joined Atlanta’s staff in 2015. During the 2020 season, he served as the Falcons’ interim head coach, going 4–7 after Dan Quinn’s dismissal.

From 2021 through 2023, Morris was the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator. In 2021, the Rams won Super Bowl LVI, with their defense ranking in the top 10 in takeaways, sacks, and opponent quarterback rating. That success strengthened Morris’ standing league-wide and contributed to Atlanta’s decision to rehire him as head coach in January 2024.

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Among those who appear to be on the team’s radar is former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett, according to sources of Adam Schefter of ESPN.

“Sources: Former Cowboys HC and NBC analyst Jason Garrett is interviewing Friday for the Titans head coaching job,” Schefter shared via a social media post on Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter.

The Titans are long expected to start looking for a new man to run the show from the sidelines, as they fired then-head coach Brian Callahan in October — just six weeks into his second season in the position with Tennessee.

Garrett has not been part of an NFL coaching staff since serving as the New York Giants’ offensive coordinator from 2020 to 2021. But he will be mostly known for his tenure as Dallas Cowboys head coach from 2011 to 2019. He won the NFL Coach of the Year Award in 2016, though he won just two playoff games during his stint with the Cowboys.

Since getting fired by the Giants, Garrett has found a way to stay close to football, as he’s become a studio analyst for NBC’s “Football Night in America.” Now, another opportunity to coach in the NFL comes for Garrett, as he looks to make a strong impression with the Titans in his upcoming interview with them.

The Titans have not had a winning season since going 12-5 in the 2021 campaign, which was also the last time they made the playoffs. They have won just six games total since the 2024 campaign.

The post Jason Garrett lands Friday interview with Titans appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“@Titans GM Mike Borgonzi: Cam Ward went through a lot of adversity during rookie season. We’re looking for a coach, a staff, that can help him develop … Wants a coach that can take advantage of his strengths, help him and other players develop.”

Ward threw for 3,169 yards in his rookie season, totaling 15 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. The Titans managed only a 3-14 record with Ward starting all 17 games.

Titans QB Cam Ward needs a coaching mentor

Ward seems to have done some things to help himself, though the adversity according to a post on X by Turron Davenport.

“He battled through it, and he got better,” Borgonzi said. “The coach we’re looking for … is to help him develop more. And really to find a coach that can really accentuate some of the strengths of the players. You’re always looking for that. We’re looking for someone that can really look at Cam, and (say) this is what he does well.”

Borgonzi also said the Titans want a leader, not just a tough guy, according to a post on X by Ben Authur.

“GM Mike Borgonzi says the Titans will be looking for a leader in their next HC, not necessarily an “alpha” personality. Someone who is demanding and holds team accountable is important; doesn’t necessarily matter whether they’re loud or more quiet in how they do it.”

However, Ward won’t exactly be heavily involved in the coaching search, according to a post on X by Terry McCormick.

“Borgonzi on Cam Ward’s involvement in the coaching search: I have a lot of conversations with Cam, and sometimes he says too much. But I love Cam, he’s all ball all day. Said maybe it’s a quick hello for him once final candidates are brought in.”

Whoever takes over will have more than Ward to improve. The Titans are considered to have one of the least-talented rosters in the NFL.

The post What Titans want in next coach to make sure Cam Ward doesn’t bust appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Tennessee is set to begin a series of head coaching interviews this week. The team’s first interview will be with Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo on Wednesday, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Anarumo starting his NFL coaching career as a defensive backs coach at Miami in 2012. He was interim defensive coordinator under interim head coach Dan Campbell in 2015. But Anarumo was not a full-time defensive coordinator until joining the Bengals in 2019.

Anarumo spent six season in Cincinnati before heading to Indianapolis before the 2025 season.

Tennessee is clearly willing to entertain the possibility of hiring a defensive-minded head coach. However, Anarumo is far from the only candidate that the Titans will talk to in the coming weeks.

The Titans also have plans to meet with Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy on Thursday and former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on Saturday. Tennessee also requested to interview Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

It is no surprise that Tennessee is interested in Nagy as a head coach.

Nagy and Titans GM Mike Borgonzi have a close relationship from their time in Kansas City. That could make for an ideal pairing in Tennessee.

Beyond that, Nagy has head coaching experience after leading the Bears for four seasons during the Mitchell Trubisky era. Nagy went 34-31 during the regular season in Chicago, with two one-and-done playoff appearances.

The Titans would be foolish to ignore the possibility of adding Stefanski as well. Stefanski should be the hottest name on the coaching market this year. The two-time NFL Coach of the Year will interview with the Falcons and Giants in addition to the Titans.

Tennessee picked a good crop of candidates for their first wave of interviews. It will be exciting to see which candidates become contenders to land the Titans’ head coaching job.

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Season recap

The Titans’ 2025 season unfolded like a rerun no one asked for. Tennessee finished 3-14 for the second straight year. It marking their fourth consecutive losing campaign and sealed playoff elimination by Week 13. The team stumbled out of the gate with a 1–11 start. That prompted the firing of head coach Brian Callahan in October after a 1-5 opening stretch. Veteran coordinator Mike McCoy stepped in as interim head coach. He was tasked less with saving the season than with stabilizing the evaluation process.

Despite the ugly record, the year was not a total waste. Cam Ward, the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, showed legitimate promise under difficult circumstances. Playing behind a shaky offensive line and throwing to a limited receiving corps, Ward still managed to protect the football at a historic rate. He did set a franchise record for lowest interception percentage in a season. More importantly, he looked increasingly comfortable as the year wore on. Ward also delivered Tennessee’s best offensive stretches in the final weeks. The losses piled up, but clarity emerged: the Titans have a quarterback worth building around.

Draft needs

Once a franchise identifies its quarterback, everything else becomes about acceleration, or obstruction. For Tennessee, the 2026 NFL Draft must be about removing obstacles from Ward’s path to development. That kinda starts and ends with the pass-catching group. The Titans’ wide receiver room lacked explosiveness, reliability, and matchup stress throughout 2025. They allowed defenses to compress the field and dare Ward to beat tight windows. If your best pass catcher tallied just 560 yards on the season (Chig Okonkwo), that’s a massive red flag.

The offensive line also remains a concern. Sure, the interior held up at times. However, inconsistency in protection limited downfield concepts and forced Ward into conservative decisions. Adding skill talent without improving protection would be short-sighted. That said, so would ignoring the lack of playmakers who can actually win one-on-one.

Defensively, the Titans still need help. That’s particularly true at edge rusher and cornerback. This mock draft is all about making a statement, though. Tennessee is choosing offense first, urgency second, and aesthetics last. The goal is not balance. It’s survival and growth for their quarterback.

Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Titans’ 3-round mock draft based on the PFF 2026 NFL mock draft simulator.

Round 1, pick 4: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

If you want to know how serious the Titans are about helping Ward, look no further than this pick. Jordyn Tyson gives Tennessee a versatile, competitive playmaker. He can align inside or outside and win in multiple ways. Yes, he’s not physically imposing by NFL standards. That said, Tyson plays bigger than his frame. He can routinely finish contested catches and hold up as a blocker.

His route running shines in the intermediate area. That’s where he creates separation with sharp breaks and physicality. Drops showed up on tape the past couple of seasons. His release package against press coverage remains a work in progress. Still, those are coachable issues. What isn’t teachable is his toughness and football temperament. Tyson may not be a finished WR1 on Day One, but he immediately raises the floor of the Titans’ passing offense.

Round 2, pick 35: WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana

If Tyson is the technician, Elijah Sarratt is the bully. Sarratt profiles as a true X receiver who thrives on contact and contested catches. He doesn’t separate easily, and he likely never will. However, that’s not his game. He’s built to win through defenders, not around them.

For a young quarterback, that matters. Sarratt gives Ward a receiver he can trust on third downs, in the red zone, and when the play breaks down. His competitiveness as a blocker also fits the Titans’ identity. Drafting Sarratt is a bet on reliability and mentality over raw efficiency. It’s a bet that makes sense for an offense still finding its footing.

Round 3, pick 66: WR Ja’Kobi Lane, USC

Yes, it’s another wide receiver. That is entirely the point, though. Ja’Kobi Lane brings length, body control, and a massive catch radius to the room. He excels in contested situations, particularly near the goal line. That’s where his ability to track the ball and shield defenders turns fades into legitimate weapons.

Lane’s separation issues are real. NFL corners will test his ability to win without leaning on subtle push-offs. As a third-round pick, however, Lane’s role is clear: situational dominance. He gives Tennessee a red-zone specialist and a boundary target who complements Tyson’s versatility and Sarratt’s physicality. Suddenly, Ward has options. That changes everything.

Sending a message

This mock draft may raise eyebrows for its singular focus in the early rounds. Still, it sends a necessary message. The Titans are done pretending they can evaluate a quarterback without giving him help. Three wide receivers in the first three rounds represents commitment, not excess. If Cam Ward is going to succeed, Tennessee is determined not to be the reason he fails.

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That means that there are six teams that will be searching for a new coach, but how do these coaching vacancies rank in terms of how desirable they are for coaching candidates? Job security, state of the roster, ability to improve the roster, and organizational stability can all play a part in what makes a team an intriguing fit for a coach.

6. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals lost nine straight games to end the season. That is a scary trajectory for whoever the next head coach will be. Roster improvement will also be limited by Kyler Murray’s contract. It seems like the team is ready to move on from the former first overall pick, but teams will likely be hesitant to trade for a player on a $230.5 million deal with two years left.

Perhaps Murray will be back as the starter. He isn’t a bad player, but he certainly hasn’t met pre-draft expectations. Jacoby Brissett is a solid bridge option, but he doesn’t have the it factor required from an NFL quarterback, which is part of the reason the team lost so many games to end the season.

With Arizona picking behind the Raiders and the Jets in the 2026 NFL Draft, they will likely miss out on one of the top quarterbacks in what is somewhat of a two-man class, too. The Cardinals will be just middle of the pack in cap space, and there isn’t much optimism that general manager Monti Ossenfort will be able to do anything with the money they do have available.

Despite joining the team at the same time as former head coach Jonathan Gannon, Ossenfort kept his job. The roster is weirdly constructed and doesn’t fit together all that well. The Cardinals also play in an NFC West that is arguably the best division in the NFL. All of the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers will make a push for the Super Bowl. The silver lining is that the team does employ Trey McBride, arguably the best tight end in the NFL, but not even he can prevent the Cardinals from being the least appealing head coaching destination this year.

5. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns have been a disaster of an organization ever since they rejoined the league in 1999. The team has selected draft bust after draft bust, and 42 different players have started at quarterback for the team this century. Taking the Cleveland job would be daunting for any coach because failures are almost expected out of the Browns. The next head coach would not just have to turn a 5-12 team around, but they’d have to help turn an organization around that has been predominantly pathetic for decades.

Kevin Stefanski won two Coach of the Year awards with the Browns, but they only won one playoff game during his six-year tenure. Hindsight may even suggest he won those awards merely because expectations are so low for the Browns that even doing just an okay job was admirable.

Going forward, the Browns might have more question marks at quarterback than any other team. The team drafted both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the later rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, but neither of them did enough to become established as the franchise signal caller. The team also has Deshaun Watson’s disastrous contract on the books for another season. The offensive line is bad, the team is underwhelming at receiver, and who knows if Quinshon Judkins will ever be the same after a gruesome lower-body injury.

The reason the Browns’ job doesn’t rank last here is because of Myles Garrett. The former Defensive Player of the Year winner is about to take home that title again after breaking the single-season sacks record. He might legitimately be the best player in the NFL, and he will make figuring out the defense a lot easier for his next head coach.

Stefanski somehow coached the most games of any Browns coach since the ’60s, but the next coach likely won’t have such a long leash if things aren’t quickly turned around in Cleveland.

4. Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons won each of their last four games. While that didn’t save Raheem Morris’ job, it does give some optimism to whoever will be the team’s next coach. The Falcons have made a number of poor decisions in recent years that prevent the team from having a clear path toward contention, though.

Most notably, Atlanta gave Kirk Cousins a massive contract and drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round in the same offseason. Penix was just okay after taking over for Cousins, but he ended the year sidelined with an ACL injury. Cousins has had a solid career, but he is 37 years old and well past his prime. If the Falcons ride their momentum into next year, either quarterback could be serviceable enough for the Falcons to compete in the NFC South, which is arguably the weakest division in football.

However, there isn’t much room to improve the roster. Atlanta only has $4.8 million in 2026 cap space, which ranks just 24th in the league. They will also be without their first-round pick because of their trade for James Pearce in last year’s draft. To make matters worse, Kyle Pitts could bolt in free agency after finally reaching his potential this season, too.

Most of the teams on this list were really bad this year, but the Falcons were pretty mediocre. Escaping mediocrity will be the challenge for Atlanta’s next coach, though.

3. Tennessee Titans

The Titans fired Brian Callahan after only six games this past season. They’ve had longer than any other team to start their head coaching search, and Vance Joseph, Matt Nagy, Steve Spagnuolo, Raheem Morris and Lou Anarumo have reportedly already been requested for interviews to fill the vacancy.

The Titans need to get their coaching decision right because they can’t afford to stunt the growth of number one overall pick Cam Ward. The Miami product showed flashes as a rookie, but it is fair to say he disappointed in his first season, and the state of Tennessee’s roster certainly didn’t do him any favors.

Caleb Williams was one of the most highly touted prospects ever, and the number one pick the year before Ward. He also had an underwhelming rookie season, but a coaching change in which the Chicago Bears brought in Ben Johnson took him and his team to the next level. The Titans will hope for similar growth after they get their guy at the helm.

The Titans’ quarterback situation is clear, so they can use a league-leading $113 million in cap space to add veterans that can take the team to the next level. This path could lead to a New England Patriots-esque ascension into contention as soon as next season.

2. New York Giants

Like the Titans, the Giants have a young quarterback in place. Jaxson Dart needs to cut back on his risk-taking, especially when it comes to ensuring he can stay healthy, but he is a physically gifted quarterback with tons of potential. Dart isn’t the only exciting youngster in New York, though.

Cam Skattebo was making waves as a running back before suffering an injury. Malik Nabers’ season also ended prematurely, but he is one of the best receivers in the NFL. When those two come back, the Giants’ offense could be electric. There are also some solid pieces on defense. Brian Burnes, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux can be one of the best pass-rushing groups in the NFL. Burnes was second in the NFL in sacks, and his production wasn’t common knowledge only because of the year that Garrett had sacking the quarterback. Carter and Thibodeaux are both recent top-five picks.

With over $18 million in 2026 cap space to work with, the Giants will be able to build around this young core. The team will be picking fifth in the 2026 NFL Draft, and considering they don’t need a quarterback, they can secure one of the top players at a different position to add to their core.

Expectations are always high for the Giants, but there are perks that come with being in New York. Players want to play there, and the hope is that the next Giants’ coach can help the team contend sooner rather than later.

1. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders have the most desirable coaching opening this cycle. The team was the worst team in the NFL this year, but the future is relatively bright. The biggest selling point for this job is that the Raiders have the number one pick. Pete Carroll’s successor will have his pick of the litter to get the franchise quarterback. That is because Las Vegas is picking first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The next coach will be able to mold either Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore into a star. Mendoza plays for Indiana, and Moore plays for Oregon. The two schools face off in the College Football Playoff’s Peach Bowl, which will have big implications on who goes first overall. Mendoza is the Heisman winner and the NCAA’s touchdowns leader. He has a high IQ and incredible accuracy. Moore has more of a knack for deep throws and the big play. The next coach will certainly have a preference, and that makes this job enticing.

The Raiders rank first here for more reasons than just owning the number one pick, though. Brock Bowers should bounce back from a down season in which he was riddled by injuries. He is just a year removed from not only the best rookie tight end season ever, but the best rookie pass-catching season overall in NFL history. Coaches can get creative in how they use Bowers, especially because he is an elite blocker. Ashton Jeanty was one of the best running back prospects in recent memory, too.

If the Raiders can improve a weak offensive line and group of wide receivers, this offense will have the potential to be special with Moore or Mendoza leading the way. The defense even has one of the best players in the NFL on it in Maxx Crosby. Las Vegas will have plenty of chances to improve those weak areas, too, as they have the second-most cap space heading into next year. Having Tom Brady in the building should only make things easier as well, especially when it comes to recruiting free agents.

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Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris will be interviewing for the head coaching vacancy, as he was just fired by the NFC South team a day ago. Morris was not able to lead the Falcons to the playoffs in his two seasons as head coach and finished each season with an 8-9 record.

Outside of his time with the Falcons, Morris was a defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams when they won the Super Bowl, and they had one of the best units in football during that time. The Titans could be looking to get better on that side of the ball, and Morris has the knowledge to turn that group around.

The one area where he may need help, if he gets hired, is on offense, as the Falcons were not able to succeed very much with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, whom Morris chose when he initially got the job.

The Titans will definitely have more coaching options to look at through this process, and it looks like they will also be interviewing Kevin Stefanski for their vacancy, as he was recently fired by the Cleveland Browns.

Stefanski is an offensive-minded coach, and he could be a good pairing alongside Cam Ward to help him take his game to the next level.

It will be interesting to see what the Titans end up doing, but there’s no doubt that they want to get it right this time after years of failing to have stability and consistency in the front office and coaching staff.

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