The Tennessee Titans are starting anew in 2025. The franchise introduced in a brand new normal supervisor with Mike Borgonzi, who chosen a brand new quarterback in Cameron Ward with the No. 1 general choose, and there are causes to be optimistic that the worst staff in soccer can present some enchancment this season.
Whereas the Titans have by no means obtained the sort of consideration different groups just like the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers do, they weren’t all the time a rebuilding franchise. In reality, it wasn’t too way back the place they made an AFC Championship recreation and secured the No. 1 seed within the loaded AFC within the span of three seasons. The Titans had been a reliable menace to win the Super Bowl. What occurred?
The titanic collapse of the Titans was because of a variety of elements. Questionable firings, adopted by questionable hirings that made questionable signings that left this staff with out an id. There have been a variety of horrific selections made by possession and the entrance workplace that deeply scarred a fan base and led to the final word low level. How did all of it occur?
Let’s return to 2021, and retrace the autumn of the Titans. We’ll begin with possibly the final time soccer followers in Nashville had been truly comfortable.
The notorious Bengals recreation
It must be a sports activities trivia query. Which AFC staff held the No. 1 seed in 2021? It wasn’t the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills or Baltimore Ravens, it was the Tennessee Titans. What’s unbelievable about this truth is that Mike Vrabel’s squad completed 12-5 even after shedding star working again Derrick Henry to a foot damage suffered on Halloween, whereas star vast receiver A.J. Brown had what was statistically the worst season of his profession.
The Titans pulled off a sequence of spectacular victories in 2021. A goal-line stand helped Tennessee upset Buffalo on “Monday Night time Soccer,” then the Titans got here proper again round on a brief week and handed Patrick Mahomes the worst lack of his profession on the time, a 27-3 blowout which raised the eyebrows of the NFL world. The Titans additionally blew out the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams on their residence area in prime time, 28-16, en path to a 12-5 document and the No. 1 seed within the AFC.
After having fun with a well-earned first-round bye, the Titans had been scheduled to host Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. The date was Jan. 22, 2022, and it had the potential to be a historic sports activities day in Nashville. The Titans hadn’t received a house playoff recreation since 2003, and Henry was set to make his return to the sphere after lacking greater than two months with the foot damage. The stadium was packed, the Titans had been favored by 3.5 factors and Nashville was prepared for a Super Bowl run.
On the primary play from scrimmage, Ryan Tannehill threw an interception to Jessie Bates. It was the primary of three interceptions Tannehill would find yourself throwing, which straight led to the 19-16 loss Tennessee suffered. The Titans had discovered themselves on the shedding finish regardless of a heroic effort from the protection, which sacked Burrow 9 instances — tying a single-game NFL playoff record.
Burrow did not rating a single landing on this recreation, and the Titans nonetheless misplaced. It was the primary of a number of surprising heartbreaks to come back in Music Metropolis.
‘Crying on the mix’
The Titans then turned their consideration to the offseason. Vrabel received NFL Coach of the 12 months and obtained a contract extension, as did normal supervisor Jon Robinson. Nonetheless, that did not assist anybody overlook what occurred within the divisional spherical.
Whereas talking with reporters on the NFL mix two months after the Bengals loss, Robinson turned emotional when reflecting on how the Titans’ season ended.
Robinson’s tears had been a mirrored image of Titans followers’ fears.
Tennessee was set as much as make a reliable run. The Titans had home-field benefit in opposition to an inexperienced staff that simply registered its first profitable season since 2015. This Titans squad had overcome adversity at each flip, however could not capitalize when issues had been in its favor? Would the Titans ever get that sort of alternative once more?
Titans do not wish to commerce A.J. Brown
One merchandise on the Titans’ offseason to-do listing that 12 months was extending Brown. Regardless of his “down season” in 2021, it was understood he was a star. Brown crossed 1,000 yards receiving in every of his first two NFL seasons, and caught a complete of 24 touchdowns in his first 43 profession video games performed.
Robinson made it recognized that his intention was to increase Brown, and preserve him in Tennessee.
“Proper now, we’re simply making an attempt to get by way of this free company interval, seeing the place we have landed cap-wise,” Robinson stated, via the Titans’ official website. “A.J. is a crucial a part of what we do. He is a terrific teammate, he works laborious, he is about what we’re about. A.J. is a Titan and we wish to preserve A.J. a Titan. And that is a part of our objective this offseason, or at any time when that manifests itself, to come back to an settlement to maintain him round.”
Coach Vrabel was additionally requested about the opportunity of buying and selling Brown as he searches for a giant contract extension. The three-time Super Bowl champion stated it wasn’t going to occur.
“Not so long as I am the pinnacle coach,” Vrabel stated on the “Wealthy Eisen Present” when requested if Brown may very well be traded. “I really like A.J. professionally, personally. I’ve gotten to know him effectively as his coach and luxuriate in seeing him as a lot as I presumably can. Noticed him right here understanding right here earlier, stated hello. So long as I am the coach right here, I might wish to have A.J. Brown on my soccer staff.”
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A.J. Brown is traded
In the course of the first spherical of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Titans traded their No. 1 vast receiver to the Philadelphia Eagles in alternate for the No. 18 and No. 101 general picks. That night time, Brown took to social media to say goodbye to Tennessee, posting a tweet that ended up being deleted:
“Tennessee I really like you and you’ll ceaselessly be in my coronary heart and I can say this now… THIS WAS NOT MY FAULT. However I want you all the very best. Love”
After being acquired, Brown signed a four-year, $100 million cope with the Eagles that included $57 million assured. His new AAV of $25 million made Brown the No. 4 highest-paid receiver within the NFL on the time.
With the No. 18 general choose the Titans obtained in alternate for Brown, they drafted vast receiver Treylon Burks out of Arkansas. The previous Razorback caught 66 passes for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns in his ultimate collegiate season, and was truly in comparison with Brown as a prospect.
Since Burks was chosen with the choose the Titans obtained whereas giving Brown away, he was anticipated to right away fill his sneakers.
A messy aftermath
The Titans made it clear they did not wish to commerce Brown, but traded him on draft night time. So what occurred? Conflicting stories surfaced.
Brown informed ESPN he wished to remain in Tennessee, however the Titans could not provide you with a suggestion that was value $20 million per year. Appears fairly unbelievable, proper? Different stories indicated that Brown not solely requested a commerce, however that his camp was making some fairly massive monetary requests behind the scenes as effectively.
According to Dianna Russini, Brown requested a commerce, and requested the Titans for assured cash near $80 million. This determine was additionally reported by ESPN’s Turron Davenport, and John Glennon. Brown’s four-year cope with Philly included $57 million assured.
Whereas Brown claimed the Titans’ supply was $16 million per 12 months that would attain $20 million per 12 months with incentives, Russini reported that the Titans’ supply was greater than that, however her supply would not share the precise numbers. Brown stated he would have re-signed with the Titans for $22 million per 12 months, however Glennon stories Brown was asking for even more than the $25 million average he obtained from the Eagles.
It feels like a disastrous recreation of “phone.” In the end, the fault lies with the franchise.
Early points for Treylon Burks
With all eyes now on Burks, it was notable that he was reportedly unable to complete his first rookie minicamp apply because of what gave the impression to be conditioning points. He was on and off the apply area at OTAs, and what made the state of affairs extra bizarre than it needed to be was that he and the Titans were coy about what was going on.
Because it seems, the child simply had bronchial asthma. It did not must be some unbelievable secret for the staff to maintain underneath wraps. Fortunately, Titans vast receivers coach Rob Moore lastly spelled it out for everybody.
“A few of these issues that occurred had been sort of out of his management,” Moore stated, through ESPN. “The child’s received bronchial asthma. These issues occur. However he understands what the expectations are, however I believe on the finish of the day, it is actually him getting himself immersed within the tradition of how we do issues right here, how we play right here, which is totally different from each participant that is available in right here from faculty as a result of we ask these guys to do issues that a whole lot of groups do not ask them to do.
“I am enthusiastic about Treylon and what he is going to have the ability to convey to this soccer staff. He simply has to get himself wholesome and have the ability to present all people out right here on the sphere what he is able to.”
Burks caught 10 passes for 129 yards within the first 4 video games of the season, after which was positioned on short-term injured reserve with a turf toe damage. He would spend far more time on injured reserve sooner or later.
Ultimate second of positivity takes place in Inexperienced Bay
Nov. 17, 2022 often is the final time the Titans fan base felt good concerning the course of the staff at massive. In Week 11, Tannehill took the Titans as much as Inexperienced Bay, and got here away with a 27-17 victory over the Packers on “Thursday Night time Soccer.”
Tannehill accomplished 22 of 27 passes for 333 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Per NFL Next Gen stats, Tannehill accomplished +20.0% of his passes over anticipated — the best CPOE in a recreation over the previous three seasons on the time (minimal 25 makes an attempt). Tannehill additionally earned a 97 NGS passing rating for his efficiency, the best given to any quarterback that season on the time.
Burks additionally had the very best recreation of his profession, catching seven passes for 111 yards.
The Titans had been now sitting at 7-3 and in place to win the division for the third straight 12 months. Nonetheless, that pleasure would final for only a few hours, as offensive coordinator Todd Downing was arrested for DUI the following morning. Issues would not get higher from there.
A.J. Brown smacks Titans in revenge recreation
The Titans misplaced their playoff rematch with the Bengals the next week, after which had been scheduled to fly to Philly for his or her first matchup in opposition to Brown and the Eagles.
There was a scary second within the first quarter the place Burks made an unbelievable 25-yard landing catch whereas getting knocked out on the play. He one way or the other held on to the ball for the rating, after which was dominated out for the rest of the sport. Then, it was time for the A.J. Brown present.
On the very subsequent possession, Brown trucked Titans cornerback Kristian Fulton for his first landing of the day.
Within the third quarter, Brown scored once more.
In all, Brown caught eight passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-10 win in opposition to his former staff. He spanked them. Actually.
“I wished to retire a Titan. I attempted to do all the pieces in my energy to stay a Titan,” Brown stated after the win. “It is a enterprise, as soon as once more. In that state of affairs I needed to develop up. I simply needed to study it was a enterprise. I wished to make them remorse that call.
“It has been private for the reason that commerce. That is the place I wished to be. … Issues did not work out. It was sort of like ‘right here you go, we do not need you anymore.’ You simply sort of get pushed to the facet. In that state of affairs, I needed to develop up.”
Titans fireplace GM Jon Robinson
The loss to the Eagles was so embarrassing that controlling proprietor Amy Adams Strunk fired her normal supervisor two days after the sport. The Titans had been sitting atop the AFC South at 7-5 when the choice was made, and whereas it was shocking, it was one the place you might perceive the reasoning.
“Truthfully, I had made the choice. It was time to maneuver ahead,” Strunk told the Associated Press. “There was no motive to go six, seven, eight weeks, nevertheless lengthy remained within the season.
“It was not truthful to Jon, it was not truthful to the staff. It simply appeared (like) the proper time. It provides us loads of time to search out future candidates we will interview. To observe the interior candidates.
“I am simply not that individual that’s going to sit down on a call like that.”
The Titans by no means posted a shedding season underneath Robinson, and he made some phenomenal strikes throughout his time in cost. He drafted Tennessee’s two stars on offense: Henry and Brown. On protection, he chosen Kevin Byard out of MTSU within the third spherical of the 2016 NFL Draft, who would go on to be a two-time All-Professional and tied for the NFL lead in interceptions in 2017. The choice of Jeffery Simmons at No. 19 general in 2019 was a terrific choose, and do not forget that Robinson acquired Tannehill from the Miami Dolphins in a Day 3 choose swap in 2019. Tannehill would go on to win NFL Comeback Participant of the 12 months that very same season, and assist the Titans take the following step as a franchise.
Robinson additionally made some horrific strikes. His ultimate three first-round picks in Isaiah Wilson, Caleb Farley and Burks had been large busts. In reality, Wilson and Farley performed a mixed 13 video games for the Titans. Then there was the “Brown blunder,” the place he despatched his star vast receiver away as an alternative of paying him, which in the end was the ultimate straw for this government.
Titans shut season with seven straight losses
Firing Robinson did not work, because the Titans then misplaced their ultimate 5 video games after parting methods with their GM to complete 7-10. Sure, Tennessee went from atop the division at 7-3, to 7-10 and out of the playoffs. It marked the Titans’ first shedding season since 2015.
You’ll be able to’t say it was a forgettable finish to the season. Tannehill aggravated an ankle damage in Week 15 that knocked him out for the remainder of the 12 months. Rookie Malik Willis got here in to make his third begin of the 12 months vs. the Houston Texans, however struggled in a loss. With the season within the stability, the Titans signed Joshua Dobbs to start out the ultimate two video games of the common season. The AFC South truly got here all the way down to a Week 18 showdown vs. the rival Jacksonville Jaguars, through which Tennessee fell, 20-16.
Titans rent Ran Carthon as new GM
To switch Robinson, the Titans employed former San Francisco 49ers director of participant personnel Ran Carthon to take over as normal supervisor. Carthon was a former working again that performed his faculty ball on the College of Florida, and had a background in scouting as effectively.
There have been questions relating to if Carthon or Vrabel would have management over the roster, however they had been touted by Tennessee as a “staff.” Their first draft class included offensive tackle-turned-guard Peter Skoronski, quarterback Will Levis, working again Tyjae Spears, tight finish Josh Whyle, offensive sort out Jaelyn Duncan and vast receiver Colton Dowell. It is doable simply two or three of those gamers will probably be on the Titans’ energetic roster in 2025.
Titans end 2023 with shedding document
The 2023 season was one other robust one for Tennessee. Tannehill misplaced his job because the unquestioned starter after struggling one more ankle damage within the Week 6 London matchup vs. the Ravens, however Levis excited the soccer world by throwing 4 touchdowns in his NFL debut vs. the Atlanta Falcons.
The Titans registered a dramatic upset/comeback over the Dolphins in Week 14, and stored the Jaguars out of the playoffs with a 28-20 upset victory within the regular-season finale. Nonetheless, the Titans completed with a 6-11 document, and a backside 5 offense that was held again by the worst offensive line within the NFL. That straight led to what occurred subsequent.
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Titans fireplace Mike Vrabel
After six seasons, the Titans fired Vrabel. He went 54-45 as lead man, and compiled profitable data in every of his first 4 seasons earlier than posting back-to-back shedding campaigns in 2022-23. In his second season as coach, Tennessee made the AFC Championship recreation due to a quarterback change and the excellent play of Henry. As we already mentioned, Vrabel was named Coach of the 12 months in 2021 after his injury-riddled Titans secured the No. 1 seed within the AFC. From 2020-21 the Titans went 23-10. In Vrabel’s ultimate two seasons, Tennessee went 13-21.
Amy Adams Strunk’s message to followers
The choice to fireside Vrabel was a controversial one, and it led Strunk to ship a message to the general public. She spoke about Titans followers deserving a championship, and the way she’s ready to make the robust selections to get this franchise the place it must go.
She pointed to 2 explanation why “the sky is the restrict” for the Titans shifting ahead: Carthon and Levis. This can age poorly.
Titans rent Brian Callahan
To switch Vrabel, the Titans usher in an offensive thoughts with Brian Callahan. The son of offensive line guru Invoice Callahan spent 5 seasons because the offensive coordinator of the Bengals, and coached a number of big-name quarterbacks at totally different phases of their careers, equivalent to Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford, Derek Carr and Burrow.
Callahan wasn’t the architect of the Bengals’ high-powered offense (that was Zac Taylor), however the resolution to rent an offensive-minded coach to develop Levis was applauded by followers.
“For me, he is a player-first coach,” Bengals wideout Tee Higgins told CBS Sports aboy Callahan two weeks earlier than he took the Titans job. “He is all about making his gamers comfortable. He is a household man. He treats us like certainly one of his personal. Only a nice man and an impressive coach on the finish of the day.”
Derrick Henry indicators with the Ravens
Two months after the hiring of Callahan, one of many best gamers in Titans historical past lastly jumped ship. The NFL’s two-time speeding yards chief Derrick Henry determined to hitch forces with Lamar Jackson, and signed a two-year cope with the Ravens.
Titans go on buying spree
With Vrabel out of the best way, this was Carthon’s roster to construct. Based on Roster Administration System, the Titans spent $228.2 million throughout that offseason, per ESPN. Tennessee handed out a $92 million deal to vast receiver Calvin Ridley, gave $50 million to middle Lloyd Cushenberry then traded for Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and gave him a $76.4 million deal. The Titans probably overpaid for some gamers, equivalent to cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (three years, $36 million) and linebacker Kenneth Murray (two years, $18 million), but additionally added some massive names like former Cowboys working again Tony Pollard and Professional Bowl safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs.
On paper, the Titans put collectively a reasonably thrilling roster. The issue is that soccer video games aren’t performed on paper.
The summer time of unwarranted positivity
It is unbelievable to revisit a number of the headlines that got here out of Nashville final offseason:
There have been extra than simply the headlines. Levis entered the season because the unquestioned starter, which was a mistake in hindsight. Coach Callahan talked about shaping his offense across the quarterback and playmakers to focus on their strengths. That clearly didn’t occur. Callahan additionally selected to disregard the blatant challenge at proper sort out, something noted by CBS Sports at training camp. The primary-year coach needed to study a lesson the remainder of the fan base already understood: Nicholas Petit-Frere ain’t it. Tennessee would once more go on to have one of many worst offensive traces within the NFL.
A nightmare begin to the season
Week 1 on the Chicago Bears
The Titans truly jumped out to a 17-0 lead over Caleb Williams and Co. within the season opener, however then imploded. The Bears launched into a 24-0 run highlighted by a blocked punt landing and an embarrassing choose six from Levis, which was the game-winning rating.
The Bears turned the third staff in NFL historical past to drag off a 17-point comeback win whereas scoring zero offensive touchdowns. Chicago recorded simply 148 yards of whole offense and went 2 of 13 on third downs.
Week 2 vs. the New York Jets
For the second week in a row, the Titans blew a lead within the second half. The spotlight (lowlight) of this recreation was Levis making an attempt to do an excessive amount of, and turning the ball over within the pink zone.
Week 3 vs. the Inexperienced Bay Packers
Bear in mind, on roster cutdown day the Titans traded third-string quarterback Malik Willis to the Packers for a seventh-round choose. It appeared he was on the chopping block anyway, so this wasn’t an enormous shock. Nonetheless, after Jordan Love was injured within the season opener, it was Willis who led the Packers into Nissan Stadium.
In a 30-14 win over his former staff, Willis accomplished 13 of 19 passes for 202 yards and one landing, and led all gamers with 73 speeding yards and a landing as effectively. Surely, it was the very best Willis had ever regarded in his NFL profession, and he exited Week 3 main the NFL in yards per try (9.8) AND yards per rush (9.5). In the meantime, Levis was main the NFL with eight turnovers.
Cam Ward’s welcome to the NFL rookie moment came at the perfect time in Titans-Bucs joint practice
Dave Richard
Titans end 3-14, Ran Carthon is fired
We do not have to recap each recreation from the Titans’ 2024 marketing campaign. Simply know they completed 3-14 due to unhealthy quarterback play, unhealthy offensive line play and an inconsistent particular groups unit that damage them at instances, too. After throwing cash round in free company and hyping themselves up, the Titans had been an unmitigated catastrophe.
With the Titans being the worst staff in soccer, it was pure to surprise if there can be a fall man, or would Strunk simply clear home? Coach Callahan, Carthon and president of soccer operations Chad Brinker. Might one go, or all of them? As a substitute, it was Carthon who was dropped, one 12 months into his new position of “government vice chairman and normal supervisor.” What’s attention-grabbing is that Brinker, who was the previous assistant normal supervisor and president of soccer operations, and had a job within the 2024 embarrassment, was given what gave the impression to be a promotion in having “final authority on all football matters, including the roster.”
It is disappointing, as this franchise went from being the No. 1 seed within the AFC led by the Coach of the 12 months, to choosing No. 1 general within the draft underneath unsure but ever-changing management within the blink of an eye fixed.
Derrick Henry impresses with Ravens, whereas A.J. Brown wins Super Bowl
Because the Titans wrapped up the worst season in franchise historical past, a few former gamers had been thriving with their new groups. Henry rushed for 1,921 yards and tied the league lead in speeding touchdowns with 16, whereas Brown crossed 1,000 yards receiving for the third consecutive season and received Super Bowl LIX with the Eagles.
Titans draft Cameron Ward, will run it again with Brian Callahan
Regardless of how disastrous but forgettable the previous few seasons have been for the Titans, there may be motive for optimism. Anytime you draft a quarterback at No. 1 general, there’s hope he can put collectively a rookie season like C.J. Stroud and Jayden Daniels did to get your franchise again heading in the right direction. Ward is not seen as the highest No. 1 prospect of all time, however he does seem like wired the proper means as a former zero-star recruit that performed for 3 totally different faculties, and was a star at every cease. He would not get too excessive, would not get too low, and has clear expertise that ought to translate on the subsequent degree. Nonetheless, there are different urgent questions.
What do the Titans wish to be? What’s the id of this staff? These questions weren’t answered final 12 months. The protection was speculated to be aggressive, however groups just like the Carolina Panthers and Jaguars recorded extra sacks. The offense was speculated to be tailor-made to its gamers, but it surely was indeterminate. Positive, it did not assist that the quarterback was a turnover magnet, however that simply results in extra questions. Why did Levis take a step backwards underneath the care of an offensive-minded head coach introduced in particularly to assist him? What does that say for Ward’s possibilities in 12 months 1 underneath this regime?
Titans waive Treylon Burks: Tennessee cuts former first-round WR following fractured collarbone
Will Backus
Possibly there’s simply as a lot motive for pessimism coming into 2025, however this fan base desires to see two issues within the coming months: Ward show that he has the makings of a franchise quarterback, and Callahan take clear steps ahead as a frontrunner, a play-caller and a developer of expertise.