Tennessee Titans
Record: 3-14-0 (Last in AFC South)
Head Coach: Brian Callahan (1st Year)
Preseason Expectations:
The Tennessee Titans found themselves in the unenviable position of figuring out life without one of their all-time greats: Derrick Henry. The powerful running back and focal point of the Titans offense left Tennessee in free agency, leaving a gap to be filled with free agent signing Tony Pollard and rookie running back Tyjae Spears. After a promising second half from Will Levis in 2023, there was reason to be excited in Tennessee.
More reason to be excited was the hiring of former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. Callahan was the quarterback that helped Joe Burrow and the Bengals reach a different level in 2021, as Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase had career seasons on route to an appearance in Super Bowl LVI. With Will Levis, free agent signing Calvin Ridley at receiver, the Titans looked to make a stunning run back to the playoffs in 2025.
The Regular Season:
The Titans regular season might be more memorable for the meme templates from Will Levis than their performances on the field. Starting out 0-3, head coach Brian Callahan’s team had recorded 9 turnovers in the first four games of the season. This rough start was a worrying trend that would continue, as the Titans finished with the joint-most turnovers in the NFL with 34, 21 of which were inceptions (2nd most in NFL).
Alongside a worrying number of interceptions was the inability for the Titans to protect their quarterbacks. Despite spending both of their first-round picks on offensive linemen in 2023 and 2024, the Titans allowed the joint-4th most sacks in the league with 52. While Peter Skoronski has been solid, allowing just three sacks at the guard position, and just one coming after the Titans week 5 bye week, 2024 first JC Latham has struggled at times, allowing 7 sacks at the left tackle position.
On the other side of the ball, the Titans have been one of the worst units defensively this season. In the pass rush, the Titans recorded the 3rd least sacks in the NFL this season with 32. Tennessee has been their linebacker core of Harold Landry (8.0) and Arden Key (6.5) combine for almost half of their total.
Despite having the 4th fewest yards against per game, the Titans defense allowed the third most points this season (460). The Titans don’t have a lockdown player in the secondary, they’ve allowed over 1,700 yards after the catch, 27 receiving touchdowns (T-9th most in NFL).Some of this scoring could come down to the turnovers from the quarterbacks (21 INTs compared to 22 Passing TDs), but the Titans special teams have not been effective, allowing the most Punt return yards in the NFL this season (655).
Looking To 2025
The Titans enter the 2025 offseason in the enviable position of holding onto the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. While the draft class this year doesn’t have as many big names as 2024, the Titans find themselves in a situation where both keeping the first overall pick and trading it make sense.
Should they keep the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, the Titans have multiple options, including the Heisman winning two-way player Travis Hunter, Heisman finalist Miami quarterback Cam Ward–who Tennessee seems to be fond of–and Travis Hunter’s Colorado Buffalos teammate: quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Should they decided to trade out of the number one overall pick, quarterback hungry teams like the New York Giants (3rd Overall), Raiders (6th Overall), Jets (7th Overall), or Saints (9th overall), could give Tennessee a haul to move up to the top of the draft. While no team has multiple first round picks this year, the Titans could find themselves earning multiple draft picks and a quality player to upgrade their defense.
L’Jarius Sneed struggled in his first season in Nashville, albeit a season in which he was limited to five games. Sneed’s numbers could improve over the course of a full season, but it doesn’t rule out the possibility of the Titans looking to improve in the secondary. A big name for the Titans could be Jets cornerback D.J. Reed. The cornerback out of Kansas State, Reed has been a solid cornerback for the Jets in 2024, allowing just two touchdowns and allowing just 130 yards after the catch on 59 receptions, (2.2 Yards After Catch).
Despite a 3-14-0 Finish, the Titans are in a solid position entering 2025. With a 1,000-yard receiver in Calvin Ridley, a solid running back room of Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, a young, developing offensive line, and defensive pieces, a big move in free agency and their position as the number one pick could see the Titans have one of the greatest improvements from 2024 to 2025.
