The Tennessee Titans are entering the 2025 season with massive question marks at linebacker. New general manager Mike Borgonzi completely revamped the position room this offseason. The most proven asset at off-ball linebacker is veteran free-agent signing Cody Barton, who impressed throughout OTAs and minicamp, picking off rookie quarterback Cam Ward twice in practice.
There isn't another experienced player next to Barton. The Titans will hold a positional battle at training camp between sophomores James Williams and Cedric Gray. UDFA David Gbenda, Otis Reese IV, and Anfernee Orji are other contenders in the room.
Pro Football Focus recently ranked all 32 linebacker units in the league. Unsurprisingly, they posed serious questions about Tennessee's group. PFF ranked the Titans' linebackers at No. 32 overall, dead-last in the NFL.
PFF ranks Titans linebackers dead last in NFL
"Five Tennessee linebackers played at least 200 snaps last season, and none returned to the team this offseason," Dalton Wasserman wrote. "Veteran Cody Barton arrives from Denver after posting a solid 76.9 PFF run-defense grade last season. Otis Reese IV, James Williams and Cedric Gray will compete for playing time, but those three combined to play just 247 snaps last season."
Kenneth Murray, Jerome Baker, Luke Gifford, Jack Gibbens, and Ernest Jones IV are the five linebackers Wasserman is referring to. Jones was traded during last year's deadline. The other four were arguably liabilities, so the Titans won't miss any of the departing linebackers. The bigger concern is the lack of proven depth added this offseason.
Barton checked Borgonzi's boxes in free agency. He's an experienced, durable, veteran leader who will make a positive impact on the locker room culture. With linebacker being a non-premium position, the Titans were content to focus on larger areas of need this offseason while allowing second-year players Williams and Gray opportunities to play their way into the starting lineup and possibly, a long-term role.
The Titans' linebacker core is a giant unknown. It's tough to argue with PFF's overall assessment until proven otherwise.