There are different ways players can lead, but there is something to be said about vocal leadership. The Tennessee Titans haven't had much of that the last few years, which is why it is so refreshing to see (and more importantly hear) what the trio of Cody Barton, James Williams, and Cedric Gray is doing.
It's been a long time since the Titans have had stability or real leadership at the linebacker position. Since 2020, the team has had eight linebackers start double-digit games, according to Stathead. Those linebackers are: Rashaan Evans, David Long, Jack Gibbens, Azeez Al-Shaair, Jayon Brown, Kenneth Murray, Zach Cunningham, and Monty Rice.
Out of that group, only Al-Shaair stands out as a linebacker you might be able to point to as someone who galvanized the defense and who led through example. In fact, Al-Shaair was probably too aggressive at times.
Titans finally have consistency, leadership at LB
Other than that, this defense hasn't had those high-energy guys who are vocal leaders at linebacker. It's been a revolving door at a non-premium position. However, that isn't the case this year, and the Titans are excited about the moving pieces at linebacker heading into 2025.
Not one, not two, but all three of the team's best linebackers have been featured in "Mic'd Up" videos on the team's YouTube account. Gray, Williams, and Barton have all been featured in a video, and Barton joins Jeffery Simmons as the only Titans player "Mic'd Up" multiple times this offseason.
Those videos are designed to emphasize leadership. You can't squeeze blood from a stone, meaning that the team saw these linebackers being vocal and high-energy in practice, which is why they targeted them as players to feature in these videos. The leadership, energy, personality, and playmaking led to them being "Mic'd Up," not the other way around.
The only starter that we know at linebacker is newly minted team captain Barton, but it seems like Williams and Gray will be featured heavily in the rotation as well. Both of those second-year players were prominent on special teams last year, so their impact will be felt even if they aren't playing every defensive snap.
For the first time in a long time, it looks like the Titans have a group of linebackers that won't be shuffled after this season. This is a great sign for a rebuilding franchise that craves stability.