The Tennessee Titans suffered their most embarrassing defeat in a season that's been littered with them on Sunday, losing 10-6 at home to a Mac Jones-led Jacksonville Jaguars. The 3-10 Titans are a rudderless ship with nothing tangible left to play for down the stretch of the 2024 campaign. The few remaining contests will center around evaluating the roster and figuring out how to improve as the Ran Carthon and Brian Callahan connection, assuming it returns in 2025, heads into a pivotal offseason.
Looking ahead to some of the difficult decisions looming large, we've identified five high-profile players and coaches who shouldn't return to the Titans in 2025.
1. Colt Anderson, Special Teams Coordinator
Let's begin with the obvious. The Titans are historically terrible on special teams and that responsibility falls at the feet of first-year coordinator Colt Anderson. Personnel issues are present throughout the roster, like the decision to release Hassan Haskins, but Anderson can't seem to correct one issue without another arising.
It began in Weeks 1 and 2 when punter Ryan Stonehouse had punts blocked in consecutive contests. In Week 8 against Detroit, the Lions returned a kickoff 72 yards and returned two punts 64 and 90 yards, the latter of which for a touchdown in a 52-14 humbling. The Titans have allowed a league-high 604 punt return yards, nearly 200 more than the second-worst coverage unit (Cleveland Browns, 428), per ESPN.
The Titans have churned over the roster in recent weeks searching for solutions. They signed 2022 special teams Pro Bowler Justin Hardee to the active roster, who committed a special teams penalty in his first appearance. Anderson's unit has shown minimal improvement down the stretch and though Callahan has been hellbent on it being a collective issue, it's hard to envision Anderson returning without the Titans sending the wrong message about accountability.
2. Treylon Burks, WR
Ah, the gift that keeps on giving. Former Titans GM Jon Robinson may never live down swapping superstar wide receiver AJ Brown for Treylon Burks during the 2022 NFL Draft. Not only has Burks failed to replace Brown as a legitimate No. 1 receiver, he may no longer be on the team in 2025.
Entering a critical third season, head coach Brian Callahan gave Burks a fair opportunity to endear himself to a new staff. The result? Burks converted seven targets into three receptions for 24 forgettable receiving yards in his first three appearances.
Burks later suffered a knee injury in practice and was ruled out of Week 7. The former Arkansas standout was later placed on IR with an unclear timetable. Burks recently underwent surgery on his knee and won't return this season.
Burks is slated to enter a contract campaign in 2025, but the Titans already have answers on his long-term outlook. He's an inconsistent receiver who struggles to create separation, catch the football securely, and can't stay healthy. Admitting the inevitable would be in everyone's best interest.
3. Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT
It's been quite the season for Nicholas Petit-Frere. He won the starting job at right tackle in training camp, defeating John Ojukwu and Jaelyn Duncan in a three-player competition. It wasn't long before Petit-Frere was benched for poor play. He's routinely been in and out of the lineup due to other injury and performance-related issues, but the Titans rightfully haven't shown much confidence in his abilities.
Brian Callahan has played five different players at right tackle this season. Pro Football Focus credits Petit-Frere with allowing nine sacks, second-most among eligible tackles despite playing less than 60 percent of Tennessee's available offensive snaps this year. Petit-Frere has also been whistled for seven penalties and forfeited 35 total QB pressures.
Petit-Frere has one remaining season on his four-year rookie contract. Releasing him would provide the Titans with an extra $1.448 million in financial flexibility, according to OverTheCap. Addressing right tackle, the offense's biggest weakness, will be a big-time priority for Callahan and Ran Carthon this offseason.
4. Kenneth Murray , LB
The Titans signed linebacker Kenneth Murray to a two-year contract worth $15.5 million in the offseason. Since then, Murray has delivered extremely uneven results. He's fairly consistently been a liability in coverage and struggles to read-and-react to misdirection in the run game.
Murray has been the lone constant at linebacker for the Titans this season. They traded his original running mate Ernest Jones IV to the Seattle Seahawks. Fill-in Jack Gibbens later suffered a season-ending injury. Gibbens had been playing well, and his absence has led to more uncertainty. None of this provides a good enough reason to keep Murray around. The Titans also have two 2024 draft picks, Cedric Gray and James Williams, waiting in the wings.
Murray's 2025 salary isn't guaranteed despite inking a two-year agreement. The Titans could save $7.5 million by releasing him. That's a fair amount of savings for parting ways with a below-average defender at a non-premium position.
5. Tyler Boyd, WR
Tyler Boyd has been an asset to the Titans this season. He's extremely familiar with Brian Callahan's offense, having spent five seasons playing in that system with the Cincinnati Bengals. Through 13 games, Boyd ranks third on the Titans in receptions (32) and receiving yards (310).
Boyd also turned 30 in November and is on an expiring one-year contract. The Titans need to identify some long-term solutions at wide receiver as opposed to one-off band aids. Ran Carthon may encounter challenges.
Calvin Ridley is the lone proven receiver under contract. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine should be re-signed, and if so, can help address the looming needs at "X" receiver or in the slot due to his versatility. The only other potential Boyd replacement on the roster is the undersized Jha'Quan Jackson, who hasn't instilled much confidence after being benched on special teams for ball security issues.
Replacing Boyd won't be straightforward, but the Titans must take a long-term outlook.