Surging Titans defender could be playing himself into long-term contract

Tennessee Titans fans know Nick Westbrook-Ikhine's story well. From a UDFA receiver earning his keep on special teams, to the team's leader in touchdown receptions, he has become a fan-favorite in Nashville.

No matter how many receivers the Titans bring in to try to replace him, when the dust settles, the only one left standing is Westbrook-Ikhine (insert Thanos meme here).

We've reached the point where a contract extension for Westbrook-Ikhine makes too much sense for the Titans. There's a chance that general manager Ran Carthon is counting on him to return as a starter for the 2025 season.

Someone else on the Titans roster is quietly in the middle of a very similar career arc. Third-year linebacker Jack Gibbens has followed a familiar path to relevancy. No matter how many linebackers the Titans bring in, Gibbens plays his way onto the field.

Gibbens came into the season as an afterthought. The former undrafted free agent was low on the depth chart and entered training camp battling the likes of Chance Campbell and Otis Reese for a rotational role behind starters Kenneth Murray and Ernest Jones IV.

After trading Jones to the Seattle Seahawks for a fourth-round pick and linebacker Jerome Baker, Gibbens pushed into the starting role until Baker was ready to take over. However, it doesn't look like Gibbens will be vacating his starting gig anytime soon.

Since earning the starting job, Gibbens totaled eight tackles against the Detroit Lions, 14 (including two TFLs) against the New England Patriots, and 15 tackles against the L.A. Chargers. He's routinely received praise from Brian Callahan and the coaching staff.

In that same three week stretch, Gibbens has been Pro Football Focus' third-highest graded linebacker out of 135 qualifying defenders.

Gibbens is set for exclusive right free agency (ERFA) at the conclusion of this season. That means the Titans can offer him a veteran minimum contract. If he refuses, he would be forced to miss the entire 2025 season.

The Titans will almost certainly exercise the right to bring Gibbens back on a low-cost one-year deal. Alternatively, Carthon can use that leverage to try and get Gibbens to sign a multi-year contract at a team-friendly rate. Either way, the Titans hold all the cards.

Iif Gibbens continues his recent hot streak, the Titans may head into the offseason with their starting linebackers in place for the 2025 campaign. Rookies like Cedric Gray and James Williams may continue chomping at the bit for playing time as well. The Titans have holes across their roster, but they're in pretty good shape at linebacker.