The Tennessee Titans invested a plethora of mid-tier resources into the linebacker position last offseason. Previous general manager Ran Carthon signed Kenneth Murray to a two-year contract worth $15 million last season. Murray delivered average results, but new Titans GM Mike Borgonzi appears to be foregoing an opportunity to release him.
The Titans also drafted two linebackers last year in Cedric Gray and James Williams. Gray spent the majority of his rookie season injured, and Williams was primarily a special teams player. Despite what Carthon tried to do last offseason, Borgonzi inherited a Titans team with just as many questions at linebacker.
Murray is entering a contract year. Gray and Williams haven't earned their place in Dennard Wilson's defense. Steady presence Jack Gibbens is coming off a season-ending injury. With so many unknowns surrounding the position, Borgonzi opted to address the position by adding a steady veteran to the fold.
The Titans are signing linebacker Cody Barton to a three-year contract worth $21 million, according to a report by Jordan Schultz.
Titans sign LB Cody Barton to three-year contract
Barton entered the NFL as a third-round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks during the 2019 NFL Draft. Barton played a couple of seasons there before joining the Washington Commanders in 2023, and more recently, the Denver Broncos in 2024.
Barton has been an outstanding tackler three seasons in a row. The former Utah Utes standout has recorded 100-plus tackles in three consecutive campaigns. Barton had 106 tackles for the Broncos this past year.
Pro Football Focus credited Barton with an outstanding 79.9 grade as a run defender, and an overall score of 66.1. Where Barton carries concern is as a coverage player. PFF assigned him a lackluster 54.9 in that department, claiming he allowed 48 receptions on 56 targets for 524 yards and two touchdowns.
It's fair to wonder if the Titans roster any linebackers who can defend in coverage. It's not an area of strength for Barton or Murray, Wilson's two projected starters heading into 2025. It's never been Gibbens' calling card either, and Williams and Gray have proven nothing. That's mildly concerning considering the pass-happy nature of today's league.
Barton represented the second outsider signing for Borgonzi in NFL free agency after the team agreed to terms on a massive four-year contract worth $82 million with offensive tackle Dan Moore. Elsewhere, the Titans have also re-signed defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, cornerback Darrell Baker Jr., and offensive linemen Andrew Rupcich.