Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi made one deal on trade deadline day. After already trading Jeffery Simmons for two first-round picks, Borgonzi was hesitant to part with additional valued members of his team. He waited for a fantastic offer, and ended up trading safety Amani Hooker to the Buffalo Bills for a second-round pick.
Additional offseason changes are eventually coming. Some Titans veterans who survived deadline day may have been traded had Borgonzi received an intriguing offer for their services. Several Titans are seeing their disappointing tenures in Tennessee reach completion.
We've identified three Titans veterans who won't return in 2027 despite not being traded at the deadline.
3 Titans veterans who won't return to Nashville in 2027 despite surviving trade deadline day
WR Calvin Ridley
The Titans failed to trade veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley at the deadline. It's not shocking that Borgonzi failed to find any takers for Ridley. He's registered just six receptions for 91 yards and zero touchdowns this year, and has been credited with multiple drops.
There's virtually zero chance the Titans bring Ridley back for the 2027 campaign. The veteran wideout is scheduled to carry an extremely bloated $29.7 million cap charge, and Borgonzi can clear a sizable $22.2 million in cap space by releasing him. Ridley didn't depart Nashville at the deadline, but his time with the organization is undoubtedly winding down.
RB Tyjae Spears
Tyjae Spears has missed two consecutive contests for the Titans with an injury. That certainly didn't increase his chances of being traded at the deadline. With Tony Pollard playing elite football, Borgonzi probably would have been thrilled to receive a worthwhile offer for Spears.
Spears is on an expiring contract. The former third-round pick continues to struggle with health, and is on-pace for a third consecutive season where he averages under 4.0 yards per carry. Spears' versatility and athleticism makes him a solid contributor, but the Titans will probably be drafting a replacement in April.
LB Cody Barton
Titans fans were a bit surprised when veteran linebacker Cody Barton started over 2025 breakout stud Cedric Gray. In recent weeks, there snap counts have started to be more of an even split. Rookie Anthony Hill Jr. is thriving opposite them.
The Titans value Barton's leadership and maturity, but he's a 29-year-old defender on a rebuilding roster. Gray is 24 and will enter a contract year in 2027. Meanwhile, releasing Barton this coming offseason would make Gray an unquestioned starter while also saving approximately $7 million in cap space.
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