The Tennessee Titans have a long way to go, but things are pointing in the right direction. On paper, the roster doesn't necessarily scare you, but it's certainly better than it's been in recent years. The hiring of Robert Saleh this offseason and the revamping of the defensive line also figure to have immediate impacts.
And with the offense under good coaching with Brian Daboll and the assistants, things are looking up. Much of the chatter recently, though, has been surrounding the linebacker position, and I guess that should not be much of a surprise.
Well, we've beaten the drum a good bit on Anthony Hill, the exciting rookie, and James Williams, another exciting young player. With Cedric Gray also in the mix and someone who could blossom into the next elite player, would it be a stretch to say that veteran Cody Barton's roster spot... is in danger?
Could the Tennessee Titans do something notable with LB Cody Barton?
Coming into the NFL out of Texas, Hill was and is a player who was largely thought of as needing some development before being truly ready for the NFL. However, that hasn't stopped him from making plays and showing off his athleticism.
And the athleticism is key here, as Saleh's defenses typically deploy plus athletes at linebacker, and that is absolutely one skill that you can't teach. If Hill keeps this up, he'll have to see the field, as there would be no reason to hold him back.
Sure, it might seem quick to assume that Hill could jump into a notable role, but he's certainly a better fit for the defense than Cody Barton, a veteran who signed with the team last offseason. Now, this isn't to say that Barton isn't a good player - he absolutely is, but his style of play at the position just isn't something that should be viewed as an ideal fit in the defense.
I might be getting ahead of myself here, but there are endless examples in the NFL of younger players stepping up to take the roles of veteran players, who'd then get cut or traded. Furthermore, James Williams hasn't even been mentioned yet, as he's made some plays thus far and could be nearing a milestone in his development.
In 2025, Barton finished with three interceptions, 11 passes defended, and 81 total tackles. He's averaged a career passer rating allowed of 95.5 when in coverage, according to Pro Football Reference, so that simply isn't his strong suit.
If things keep trending like this, could the Titans look to perhaps do something with Barton? I'd be shocked if he didn't have trade value, as he does not turn 30 years old until November and is a competent player. According to Over The Cap, a post-June 1st trade of Barton would save the Titans $6.51 million and only force them to eat $1.72 million in dead cap, which is nothing.
There absolutely is value in keeping Barton, though, as he's a reliable player at an important position. He wears the green dot as well, so his role is crucial, but with Hill making plays and having a future in Barton's role, would the Titans seriously keep Hill in the garage and keep Barton in the mix?
With this new era of Titans football, big changes have been made and will continue to be made. While it may seem unlikely now, there is a non-zero chance that the Titans ride with the rookie and send Barton packing.
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