Last offseason, the Tennessee Titans had no problem opening up their checkbook and spending in free agency. They gave huge money to wide receiver Calvin Ridley, and added the likes of running back Tony Pollard. They not only made a deal to acquire cornerback L’Jarius Sneed from the Kansas City Chiefs, the Titans signed him to a four-year, $76 million extension (via Spotrac).
Unfortunately, the end result was a 3-14 record which was tied for the worst in the league with the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants. Due to a weaker opponents combined schedule in 2024, the Titans own the first overall pick in April's draft.
It remains to be seen what the team will do with the top selection, but one big move this offseason was the recent release of former Pro Bowl outside linebacker Harold Landry III.
All told, New general manager Mike Borgonzi has decisions to make on the team’s numerous potential unrestricted free agents As of March 10, (via Spotrac), the franchise has more than $60 million available in terms of the salary cap. Hence, here are five players that the Titans should not allow to hit the free-agent market this week.
5 potential free agents the Titans must try to re-sign
5. LB Luke Gifford
He was an undrafted free agent who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He joined the Tennessee Titans via a two-year, $4 million contract in 2023. After beginning this past season on the practice squad, linebacker Luke Gifford was signed to the active roster and played in all but one game.
While he was a bright spot on the club’s dismal kick and punt coverage units with a combined 14 tackles, the former University of Nebraska product made a career-best four starts. He finished with 34 defensive stops, including 21 solo tackles, totaled a pair of pass deflections, and had one of the Titans’ 11 picks.
4. WR Tyler Boyd
When Brian Callahan was named the Titans’ new head coach in 2024, you figured there would be at least one member of the Bengals to join him in Nashville. Zac Taylor’s offensive coordinator in the Queen City wound up being reunited with veteran wide receiver Tyler Boyd.
After catching 513 passes for 6,000 yards and 31 scores in eight seasons at Cincinnati, his numbers in 16 games were far from spectacular in his first season with his new team. Boyd made eight starts but only saw 57 passes his way, totaling 39 grabs for 390 yards and zero TDs. However, the 68.1 career catch percentage means he needs to be target more.
3. PK Nick Folk
He wound up missing the final three games of the season due to injury. Still, kicker Nick Folk remains one of the best in the business at his craft. After stints with the Cowboys, Jets, Buccaneers, and Patriots, respectively, he has now spent two seasons in Nashville and the numbers are impressive.
He’s connected on a combined 50-of-52 field goal attempts (96.2 percent), and has missed two PATs (both in 2023) in 55 tries. Despite the fact that he missed three games, the 17-year veteran wound up leading Callahan’s club in scoring with 88 points. His 1,720 career points ranks 20th in the history of the National Football League.
2. DT Sebastian Joseph-Day
Under new coordinator Dennard Wilson, only the Super Bowl LIX champion Philadelphia Eagles allowed fewer total yards and fewer passing yards this past season than the last-place Titans. The lack of offensive support and mistakes on offense and special teams wound up proving costly overall. Hence, a worn-down defense struggled very late and wound up finishing 26th in the league in rushing defense.
Defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day is Pro Football Focus’ No. 23 interior defender. The good news is that teammates Jeffery Simmons (8th) and T’Vondre Sweat (15th) are above him. Keeping this trio intact would be ideal.
1. WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
He’s proven to be a real success story considering he was an undrafted free agent in 2020. During his first four seasons in the league, former Indiana University standout Nick Westbrook-Ikhine caught a combined 94 passes for 1,276 yards and 10 scores. In 2024, only eight players in the league totaled more touchdown receptions this past season than the five-year pro.
What made his performance impressive was the fact that he managed those nine scores on only 32 catches. Quarterbacks Will Levis (13) and Mason Rudolph (9) combined for 22 touchdown tosses, and a resourceful Westbrook-Ikhine totaled nearly half of scores.