The Tennessee Titans entered training camp with major questions marks at linebacker. General manager Mike Borgonzi completely rehauled the position this offseason. Journeyman veteran Cody Barton was signed in free agency, and then a pair of sophomores were hand-chosen to compete for the opposite starting gig.
James Williams has received the majority of first-team reps on defense next to Barton. Cedric Gray could be making a late push after running with the starters at practice for the first time last week. The coaching staff has been pleased with both Williams and Gray, who have flashed offseason development as second-year defenders.
League-wide expectations for the Titans linebackers are low entering the new campaign. For example, Pro Football Focus recently ranked their unit dead-last in the NFL. The critics may be in for a pleasant surprise this year.
Titans LBs could shock the NFL in 2025
Barton has been everything Borgonzi hoped for. The veteran defender has already established himself as a vocal leader in the Titans' locker room. Barton has been flying around at training camp, having intercepted rookie quarterback Cam Ward on multiple occasions.
Meanwhile Williams has displayed the sophomore growth the Titans hoped he'd show this offseason. The safety-turned-linebacker is a free-flowing playmaker who has made a consistent impact at practice. Williams looks like a potential breakout stud.
And then there's Gray, who Pro Football Focus assigned an overall grade of 67.5 for his performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 of the preseason. The coaching staff played Gray extensively, awarding him with 44 snaps. He responded, totaling four tackles and five assists, per their metrics.
After getting first-team reps in practice late last week, Gray earned the start next to Barton in Tennessee's preseason Week 2 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The former North Carolina standout maximized that opportunity, recording this early sack that forced a Falcons punt. Gray also had an interception that will be graded positively by the staff despite it being wiped out by offsetting penalties. The game is starting to slow down for him, head coach Brian Callahan said.
The Titans' linebacker room entered training camp as a big unknown. The early returns on Barton, Williams, and Gray have been extremely positive. They possess the potential to outperform expectations.