The Tennessee Titans entered the offseason with a need at safety opposite Amani Hooker. After watching several potential targets sign elsewhere, new general manager Mike Borgonzi did make a move at the position. Veteran safety Xavier Woods is signing a two-year contract with the Titans worth $10 million, according to a report by Adam Schefter.
Titans sign veteran safety Xavier Woods to two-year contract
Woods played for the Carolina Panthers last season. He was a defensive workhorse, playing all 1,218 snaps on Ejiro Evero's defense. Woods played more snaps than any other player in the league, an incredible achievement.
Woods totaled a career-high 119 tackles in his eighth season as a result, his third professional campaign with the Panthers. Woods also matched a previous personal-best three interceptions, and broke up six passes. The former sixth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys was a do-it-all player and veteran leader for Dave Canales' squad.
The Titans entered the 2024 campaign with Hooker and Quandre Diggs as the starters at safety. They also had Jamal Adams and Elijah Molden at the position during training camp. Molden requested a trade before the season started, and Adams was released after complaining about his limited role. Diggs suffered a season-ending injury, and is currently a free agent. Indications are he won't be back in Nashville next season.
Despite undergoing all that change, the safety position appears mostly set for the 2025 campaign. Hooker and Woods are Dennard Wilson's starters in base personnel. The Titans also agreed to terms on a contract with Mike Brown on Tuesday, re-signing a veteran who has been an effective third rotational safety and special teams contributor. Borgonzi doesn't need to utilize a premium draft selection at safety.
Hooker and Woods should have clearly defined roles in the secondary. Woods is a veteran tackling machine who does his best work when playing near the line of scrimmage as an extension of the linebackers. Hooker is a roaming ball-hawk who will continue to dominate as a center-field defender.
It was an eventful Tuesday for the Titans in free agency. That allowed wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to depart on a cheap contract, and surprisingly decided against re-signing punter Ryan Stonehouse and linebacker Jack Gibbens. Veteran punter Johnny Hekker was signed as Stonehouse's replacement. Woods is the fourth free-agent addition, following Hekker, offensive tackle Dan Moore, and linebacker Cody Barton.