The Tennessee Titans didn't give executive Ran Carthon a ton of time to build his ideal contender. Just two years after hiring him, and one after promoting him to the title of executive vice president, Carthon was fired by the Titans after his team went 3-14 in the 2024 season.
The 1-2 punch of Carthon and head coach Brian Callahan, who was curiously able to keep his job, helped the Titans secure the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. If Tennessee wants to upgrade over Will Levis and draft a new franchise quarterback, they will have their pick between Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders.
Any team who wants to draft Sanders knows they have to sell themselves to Deion Sanders, who has been blustering with some admittedly empty threats about refusing to go to certain teams who draft his son. Based on his latest social media activity, Sanders might be warming to the Titans.
The elder Sanders tweeted "WOW" with some choice emojis to show his genuine surprise that this move went down. With new ownership coming in, especially after some rumors that Carthon may have preferred Ward, is Deion now all in on Shedeur wearing Titans blue?
Deion Sanders reacts to Titans firing GM Ran Carthon
There is a very real case, however, that Sanders could be saying the opposite here. That exclamation could be his surprise at the fact a qualified Black executive who was promoted just one year ago was fired, all while his 3-14 coach stayed in his position. Sanders may not be thrilled with that dysfunction.
While Ward has the stronger arm, more experience, and more success outside of the pocket, Sanders' strong football IQ and deadeye accuracy might be more appealing for a coach like Callahan looking for a pure pocket passer. Sanders has some minor shades of Joe Burrow when he's at peak efficiency.
Sanders would be walking into a situation that is fairly solid for a rookie quarterback. The offensive line is better than it has been, the backfield tandem of Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears is one of the best in the AFC, and Calvin Ridley gives him a quality No. 1 wide receiver.
Until the Titans make a firm decision on who to pick in first overall, be it a quarterback like Sanders or the best overall player in Travis Hunter, expect more vague Deion tweets alluding to his thoughts on what the Titans are doing.