NFL insider makes bold statement about Titans future

For better or for worse, the Titans are going to look way different next year. The Mike Vrable-Derrick Henry era is over, and the team has since gone all in on supporting 2nd year quarterback Will Levis, who flashed at times during his rookie season in 2023.

In order to get the best out of Levis, the team brought in former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, who created one of the best offenses in football around Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. Then they turned around and made arguably the most surprising move of the offseason, coming in at the last second to sign former Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley to a massive four-year, $90 million deal. It's pretty clear what direction the team's taking this offseason, and their new look as caught the attention of NFL insiders all around the league.

Recently, while talking to Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd, NFL analyst Jordan Schultz gave some interesting insight into how the deal got done, and explained why he thinks it's a "difference-maker" in Nashville.

NFL insider gives inside look on how Ridley deal got done

"Someone in that building told me that Will Levis carries himself with a certain swag of a marquee franchise quarterback," Schultz said. "Then they go out and get Calvin Ridley.

"Now there's a quick side story on how that happened. Jacksonville thought they were getting him back. New England though Jacksonville was getting him back. We know he wanted to stay in the South. At the final hour, Tennessee comes in after missing out on a couple guys the day before. CJ Gardner-Johnson, they weren't able to acquire him.

They pivot, they go to the wide receiver Calvin Ridley, and he's still thinking Jags – who offered, by the way, dollar-for-dollar exactly what the Titans offered. Ran Carthon, the GM of the Titans, gets on a facetime with Calvin Ridley, and he says, 'We're both from Florida, you're going to love the way we treat you inside this building.' Halfway through the conversation, Ridley says, 'No more. I'm in.' That's the difference maker, and I think Brian Callahan benefits in a big way."

"Good wide receiver will probably help first-year head coach and young QB" isn't exactly ground-breaking analysis, but it's nice to hear the inside story behind how the Titans were able to sign away one of their division rival's best players. At the very least, this is a nice little Ridley-themed victory lap to enjoy before the Draft takes everyone's attention in a few weeks.