NFL training camps are less than three weeks away. With the season fast approaching, remaining big-name free agents are beginning to choose their next destination. For the Tennessee Titans, they have surely made all of their most important moves, but many are anticipating that the team has one more coming, and hopefully soon.
For as much as they have improved their secondary this offseason, the safety spot remains a weakness, as the only penciled-in starter is Amani Hooker. Consequently, they have been rumored to sign a free agent safety for months now, ahough there has been no timeline offered.
Now that we are a full week into July, time is running out for the Titans to officially bring in a safety. Last year's DeAndre Hopkins signing proved that there is still time for the team to do something big, but it is also fair to wonder why it has not happened yet.
Tennessee Titans have reasons to be patient about signing a free agent safety
The Titans have been linked to multiple free agent safeties this offseason, one of which was Marcus Maye, before he signed with the Miami Dolphins earlier this summer. They also have been mentioned as a potential suitor for Justin Simmons, who is still available and would be a great fit for the team's defense.
Based on the noise, it seems more than probable that the Titans will acquire a free agent safety sometime before they play their first game on September 8, but what is taking them so long to do it?
One big reason for it is that the market isn't forcing them into a decision, rather incentivizing them to do the opposite, if anything. The other big names who remain unsigned as of right now are Jamaal Adams, Eddie Jackson, Quandre Diggs, and Micah Hyde.
Even with Maye having signed elsewhere, it has not increased other signings at the position, so it is still very much a buyers market. The Titans do not need to make a move at this time, and even though it is close to training camp, there still is time left and plenty of options remain open for them.
Another potential variable in this dicsussion is Elijah Molden, who was a third round pick in 2021. He has limited athleticism and is very much at his best when in the box, but there is a sector of people who think he could be alright at the second safety spot, and you can't discount the idea given that new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is a secondary specialist.
Molden's presence wouldn't prevent the Titans from signing a depth safety at least, though it could be impacting negotiations with free agents. General manager Ran Carthon could be offering lower contracts, perhaps wanting to see what they have in Molden before upping the ante.
In all likelihood, a safety signing will eventually happen in Tennessee. We will continue to wonder why the Titans have not signed a safety until the moment they actually do it.