Overview
2024 Record: 3-14
General Manager: Mike Borgonzi
Head Coach: Brian Callahan
Starting Quarterback: Cam Ward
Key Extensions:
DL Sebastian Joseph-Day (1 year, 6.5 million, 4.49 million guaranteed)
Key Additions:
DL Dre'Mont Jones, iOL Kevin Zeitler, WR Tyler Lockett, LB Cody Barton, S Xavier Woods, K Joey Slye, WR Van Jefferson, QB Cam Ward, EDGE Femi Oladejo, S Kevin Winston Jr.
Key Departures:
EDGE Harold Landry, LB Jerome Baker, K Nick Folk
Offense
Offensive Coordinator: Nick Holz (Brian Callahan calls plays)
2024 Ranks:
EPA/play: 30th Success Rate: 29th PPG: 27th (18.3ppg)
Projected Starting Offense (11 personnel):
QB Cam Ward
RB Tony Pollard
WR Calvin Ridley
WR Van Jefferson
WR Tyler Lockett
TE Chig Okonkwo
LT Dan Moore Jr.
LG Peter Skoronski
C Lloyd Cushenberry III
RG Kevin Zeitler
RT JC Latham
Offense Notes:
There isn't much to say about the Titans offense last season. The offensive line was healthy for a little under half of the season, and didn't perform well regardless. The receiver room lacked consistently explosive options. All of this was compounded by quarterback play that resulted in more memes than wins. This offense was a large part of why the Titans selected first overall in April.
This season, hope is on the horizon. Cam Ward enters the league as the first overall pick and hopeful franchise leader. The Titans invested heavily in the offensive line in free agency, moving players into natural positions. The receiver room, while still underwhelming, has plenty of new faces. Hopefully all of this change can result in Ward having a decent rookie season to build upon in the future.
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Dennard Wilson
2024 Ranks:
EPA/play: 21st Success Rate: 11th PPG: 30th (27.1ppg allowed)
Projected Starting Defense (Base 3-4):
DE Sebastian Joseph-Day
DT T'Vondre Sweat
DE Jeffrey Simmons
OLB Dre'Mont Jones
LB Cody Barton
LB Otis Reese IV
OLB Arden Key
CB L'Jarius Sneed
CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
S Amani Hooker
S Xavier Woods
Defense Notes:
Tennessee's defense wasn't as bad as the offense last season, but was still underwhelming. This unit consistently put the offense behind the chains, only allowing less than 20 points on three occasions. In the final six game losing streak, the defense allowed an average of 28.3 points per game.
The defense didn't receive as massive an overhaul as the offense, but there are key changes. The spine/middle of the group has new faces with Jones, Barton, and Woods. Tennessee also added young depth pieces in the draft that can have potential impacts in Year 1. It may not be the staunch defenses of the Vrabel Era, but Tennessee should be able to perform closer to league average this season.
Outlook
Overall, the Titans are in a fortunate spot - there aren't very many expectations to win this season. Selecting Ward has triggered a franchise reset, giving the coaching staff time to develop the young players. Bringing in a new General Manager this offseason also helps to signal this. The Titans are building toward the future. Anything positive in regards to winning this year is just a bonus.
With that in mind, it's hard to project the Titans to do much winning in 2025. While they have a favorable schedule, the team is still rebuilding. I imagine that most of the veterans of the projected starters above might see some of their reps taken by the young additions this season.
The goal for the 2025 Titans is to not have a disaster for Cam Ward in the same way the Bears and Panthers did with their 1st overall pick quarterbacks in recent years. It took the Panthers almost two seasons to give Bryce Young a stable environment, and the jury is still out on Caleb Williams. If Ward can hit the ground running, Titans fans should be excited for what they can have in the future.
Expectation/Goal for 2025: Acclimate Cam Ward to the NFL
2025 Schedule
Primetime games are BOLDED, all times EDT/EST