The Tennessee Titans wrapped up the 2025-26 season with a tough 3-14 record, but the story doesn’t end there. A pivotal offseason is ahead, and big moves are expected as the Titans aim to get back to winning football. Stay locked in—this Offseason Tracker will keep you updated on every signing, trade, and roster shake-up as it happens. The first move by the Titans organization this offseason was hiring Robert Saleh as their new head coach.
Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
New Head Coach
Late at night on January 19th, the Titans agreed to terms with Robert Saleh to become their next head coach. This past season, Saleh was the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. Saleh dealt with several injuries this past season, and still, the 49ers had a very good year. Before this past season, Saleh was the head coach of the New York Jets from 2021 to 2024. There were ups and downs during Saleh’s first head coaching tenure in New York. The defense was always good in Saleh’s tenure, but the Jets’ offense struggled at times. Saleh never had great quarterback play during his time with the Jets, which is a big reason why his teams never had a consistent offense.
The big question surrounding this hire was who Saleh will bring in to be the offensive coordinator. After the Bills announced that they are promoting Joe Brady to head coach, Adam Schefter reported that Brian Daboll is expected to become the Titans’ offensive coordinator. Landing Daboll is a big success for the Titans as he played a big part in Josh Allen’s development, and could ultimately do the same for Cam Ward. Daboll has a lot of really great experience starting as an offensive assistant under Bill Belichek during their dynasty. Daboll then spent a year as the offensive coordinator at Alabama, winning a national championship in 2017. From 2018 to 2021, Daboll was the offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, which is where he developed a young Josh Allen. In 2022, Daboll took over as the head coach of the New York Giants. In his first season, he won coach of the year and led the Giants to the divisional round of the playoffs. Hopefully, Daboll’s experience as an offensive coach can help Cam Ward and the rest of this young Titans offense.
The Titans announced that they will not be bringing back defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. Taking Wilson’s place will be Gus Bradley. Bradley and Saleh have worked together on several different teams, including the Jaguars, Seahawks, and last year on the 49ers. Bringing in a coach with over ten years of experience as a defensive coordinator will help the Titans’ young defense. The Titans also announced that they will retain special teams coordinator John Fassel. The Titans will also retain tight ends coach Luke Stocker and running backs coach Randy Jordan. Saleh has also added Greg Lewis as a wide receivers coach, Shea Tierney as a quarterbacks coach, Aaron Whitecotton as a defensive line coach, and Carmen Bricillo as an offensive line coach.
As we get more information on this story, we will update this article. Titans fans should be happy with this hire. Saleh will come in and set a winning culture that this team needs. Saleh can establish toughness and physicality in this Titans team. That kind of mentality was missing during the Brian Callahan era. Now that the Titans have their head coach figured out, they can start focusing on the rest of the coaching staff and free agency.
Find out even more about the Titans’ new head coach, Robert Saleh, by listening to his exclusive interview with 3HL. Click here to listen to the interview.
Free Agency
The Tennessee Titans are projected to have the most cap space in the NFL this offseason. That means that they are likely to spend a lot of money in this free agency period. The Titans also have a couple of starters entering free agency, including Kevin Zeitler, Chig Okonkwo, Arden Key, Joey Slye, Jihad Ward, Morgan Cox, and Sebastian Joseph Day. If any of these guys leave in free agency, the Titans may look to fill their position with other free agents. Below will be a list of names to monitor for the Titans in free agency.
Deebo Samuel, WR
Getting an experienced pass catcher has to be a top priority for the Tennessee Titans this offseason. Deebo Samuel can help provide that as he has proven to be a solid receiver over the past couple of years. At 29 years old, Samuel is most likely looking to play for a contender, but the Titans could offer him the most money and sell him on the idea of playing with Cam Ward.
Greg Newsome, CB
Late in the season, the Titans have struggled heavily to defend the pass. Adding a veteran cornerback is a must for them in free agency. After trading away Jarvis Brownlee and Roger McCreary, the roster is lacking at that position. Greg Newsome is a guy who has been solid over the past couple of years and is in the prime of his career. Newsome would be a major upgrade over the corners currently on the roster.
Cade Mays, C
Cade Mays turned into a solid starting center this season, stepping in for the injured Austin Corbett in Carolina. Mays hasn’t allowed a sack this year and has only committed two penalties. Many Tennessee Titans fans may be intrigued by bringing in a former Tennessee Volunteer to beef up the offensive line. Mays could either replace Lloyd Cushenberry at Center or replace Kevin Zeitler at right guard. Mays could be a cheap option that can provide value on the offensive line.
Derek Barnett, EDGE
Another former Tennessee Volunteer here, Derek Barnett, could be a solid addition to the Titans’ defensive line. Barnett is past his prime now, but he can be a solid rotational edge rusher for the Titans’ defense. With Arden Key and Jihad Ward both being free agents, the Titans could look to Derek Barnett to fill their role.
David Njoku, TE
Tennessee Titans’ tight end, Chig Okonkwo, will be a free agent this coming offseason. Okonkwo made a tweet a few days ago that made it seem like he had played his last snap as a Tennessee Titan. If Okonkwo were to leave in free agency, the Titans could throw some money at David Njoku to add him as a playmaker in this offense. It seems likely that Njoku will leave the Browns, with rookie Harold Fannin Jr earning more targets than him last year. The Titans can offer Njoku more money and a more prominent role in the offense, which might be appealing for the veteran tight end. Njoku could become a safety valve for Cam Ward. Gunnar Helm showed promise as a rookie tight end last year; however, if the Titans have the opportunity to land Njoku, Helm may have to wait a few more years before becoming the number one tight end in this offense.
Jauan Jennings, WR
Jauan Jennings is another experienced pass catcher who could add significant value to the Titans’ offense in 2026. Jennings is a name to watch because he is connected to the Titans’ new head coach, Robert Saleh. Jennings is also a Nashville native who played college football at the University of Tennessee. Jennings played high school football at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, TN. There could be a lot of appeal for Jennings coming back to his hometown and playing for the Titans. The Titans could also offer Jennings a significant pay raise compared to his salary in San Francisco. There is a lot to like about the possibility of Jennings returning to Nashville to play for the Titans.
Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE
With Robert Saleh coming from San Francisco, he may look to bring over a couple of players who have played in his system. Yetur Gross-Matos is a player that the Titans could target to bring in from the 49ers. Gross-Matos can bring in much-needed help on the edge for the Titans. Gross-Matos struggled with injuries last year, but he is a player who can come in and provide value on the Titans’ defensive front.
Jaelan Phillips, LB
Another defender that will fit well with Robert Saleh’s defense is Jaelan Phillips. Phillips spent four seasons in Miami before being traded to the Eagles in the middle of the 2025 season. Phillips is a guy who can come in and create pressure off the edge. The Titans will have to open their wallet if they want to land Phillips, as his market value is currently around 17 million a year. With the Titans having the most cap space in the NFL, they could be willing to pay him the money he demands.
Evan Neal, G
With Brian Daboll coming in as the offensive coordinator and bringing his offensive line coach with him, Evan Neal could be a guy that they try to bring with them. With Kevin Zeitler likely retiring or leaving in free agency, Evan Neal could come in and fill the right guard spot. It could be helpful for the Titans’ offensive line unit to bring in someone who has experience working with the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
NFL Draft
As a young team in the middle of a rebuild, the draft will be the most important part of the offseason for the Titans’ organization and fans. This year, the Titans own the 4th, 35th, 66th, 101st, 140th, 142nd, 184th, and 238th picks in the draft. All eyes will be on the Titans’ fourth overall draft pick. Here are a few players that the Titans could look to target with the fourth overall pick:
Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE
One name to keep an eye on is Rueben Bain Jr from the University of Miami. Bain recorded 8.5 sacks this season for the Hurricanes. Pairing Bain with Jeffery Simmons on the Titans’ defensive line could be scary for years to come. Last season, the Titans rushed the passer pretty well. The Titans totaled 42 sacks last season and were tenth in the league in sack percentage. Even though the Titans are already decent in that area, you can never have too many pass rushers.
Caleb Downs, S
Caleb Downs was one of the best college football players last season for Ohio State. Safety is not one of the biggest needs for the Titans, but I could see Borgonzi and the rest of the scouting department falling in love with Downs as a prospect and taking him anyway. Downs can come in and be an immediate impact player for the Titans’ defense. Very similar to what Jesse Bates has done in his time with the Atlanta Falcons, Downs can disrupt games in the same way.
Arvell Reese, LB
Arvell Reese is another defensive player from Ohio State that the Titans could target with the number four pick. Reese is unique because he can both rush the passer and play in coverage at a really high level. This versatility will allow the Titans to line him up all over the field on defense and disrupt the game in different ways. Reese is another name to watch as we get closer to the draft.
Carnell Tate, WR
Another Ohio State player that the Titans could target is Carnell Tate. The Titans need a true number one wide receiver, so they could look to find one with the fourth overall pick. Tate played in a stacked wide receiver room last season, but still managed to make the most of the opportunities that he was given. Tate averaged 17.2 yards per catch last season. Recent history says that drafting a receiver from Ohio State is a good decision, as several have been successful in the NFL. Tate could be the number one receiver that Cam Ward needs.
Mansoor Delane, CB
Cornerback is currently the biggest hole on the Titans’ roster. The Titans gave up more pass yards per play than any other team last season. LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane could come in and help fix some of these issues for the Titans. Delane was a consensus All-American last year for a reason. Delane could come onto the team and immediately be the Titans’ top cornerback.
David Bailey, EDGE
Another name to watch for the Titans is edge rusher David Bailey out of Texas Tech. Bailey played the first three seasons of his college career at Stanford before transferring to Texas Tech. While he was at Stanford, Bailey completed his degree in under four years and was named to the ACC All-Academic Team. In Bailey’s senior season at Texas Tech, he recorded an impressive 14.5 sacks. Bailey could be the type of prospect that Robert Saleh falls in love with and wants on his defense.
Written By: AJ Hughes
