It was a rough 2024 for a division that had seemingly made strides the previous year. For the second straight year, the Houston Texans were atop the AFC South with a 10-7 record. On the other hand, the Indianapolis Colts (8-9), Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13), and Tennessee Titans (3-14) combined for a disturbing 15-36 mark.
All four of these clubs were understandably busy this offseason, especially when it came to revamping their offensive fronts. On the other hand, two of these clubs could have different starting quarterbacks to open the 2025 season.
Here is a look at what the four organizations have done this offseason to date.
Grades for the Titans, Texans, Colts and Jaguars in 2025
Tennessee Titans
The team is under the guidance of new general manager Mike Borgonzi, who spent the previous 16 seasons with the Chiefs in various roles in the front office. He’s looking to reverse the fortunes of a franchise that owns a dismal 9-32 record after winning seven of its first 10 games in 2022.
The Tennessee Titans have major question marks at quarterback, as well as the offensive line. The latter was addressed in free agency in a big way with the signings of guard Kevin Zeitler (Lions) and tackle Dan Moore (Steelers). Brian Callhan’s team lost a big offensive piece as wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine signed with the Dolphins. On defense, the newcomers include defensive end
Dre’Mont Jones (Seahawks), inside linebacker Cody Barton (Broncos), and safety Xavier Woods (Panthers). On the other hand, the club parted ways with edge rusher Harold Landry III and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, the latter a major disappointment in 2024. The Titans are also moving on from veteran kicker Nick Folk as Borgonzi signed Joey Slye away from the Patriots. As for quarterback, the Titans obviously have the first overall pick in this month’s draft.
Grade: B-
Houston Texans
It’s somewhat hard to believe that the Houston Texans have actually won eight division titles in the past 14 seasons. The club has captured the AFC South in back-to-back years four times, including the last two seasons. However, what this franchise hasn’t managed to do is reach the AFC Championship Game, hence no Super Bowl appearance in 23 campaigns. This past season, the club did finish 10-7 for the second consecutive season, but this was following a 5-1 start.
While running back Joe Mixon had a big year in his first season with the team, DeMeco Ryans’s club had major issues on the offensive line. Standout left tackle Laremy Tunsil and left guard Kenyon Green were traded, and veteran right guard Shaq Mason was released. Enter guards Laken Tomlinson and Ed Ingram, and tackles Cam Robinson and Trent Brown.
Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik was let go, and wideout Stefon Diggs signed with the Patriots. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has new targets in wideouts Justin Watson and Christian Kirk, the latter in a trade with Jacksonville, while safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson should be an asset to the secondary.
Grade: C+
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have not been to the playoffs since quarterback Philip Rivers guided the team to a wild card berth in 2020. In fact, the Colts haven’t won an AFC South title since quarterback Andrew Luck’s third season with the team in 2014.
In 2023, general manager Chris Ballard used the fourth overall pick on University of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson. He has had problems staying healthy, playing and starting in only 15 games, and has yet to develop into a reliable passer (50.6 completion percentage). Now he faces competition from free-agent addition Daniel Jones, the former first-round pick of the Giants who eventually wound up in Minnesota. Regardless of who’s behind center, veteran pivot Ryan Kelly is now a member of the Vikings.
Along with Jones, Ballard’s biggest offseason additions came on defense with safety Cam Bynum (Vikings), cornerback Charvarius Ward (49ers), and defensive lineman Neville Gallimore (Rams). Shane Steichen’s club fell off badly on this side of the ball, allowing the fourth-most total yards in the league. Despite forcing 25 turnovers, the Colts surrendered 45 offensive touchdowns.
Grade: C
Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s been an incredulous three-year stretch for a franchise that will take the field in September for its 30th NFL season. In 2022, the Jacksonville Jaguars dropped eight of their first 12 games. They got hot when it counted most, winning their final five contests on the way to capturing the AFC South. Trevor Lawrence and company staged an incredible playoff comeback vs. the Chargers in the wild card round before falling at Kansas City.
Jacksonville then got off to a surprising 8-3 start the following season before it all fell apart. The Jaguars haven’t recovered since, and own 5-18 record in their last 23 contests. Like the Titans, the Jaguars have a new general manager in James Gladstone. There’s also has a new head coach in Liam Coen—Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator this past season.
There are a few familiar faces no longer with the team. Wideout Christian Kirk was dealt to Houston, and tight end Evan Engram was released and signed with Denver. There are plenty of new faces on the offensive line. Cornerback Jourdan Lewis and safety Eric Murray hope to aid the NFL’s worst pass defense in 2024.