The Tennessee Titans plan to start Amani Hooker and Kevin Winston Jr. at safety this season. They entered free agency with virtually no depth behind them. General manager Mike Borgonzi made the decision to release Xavier Woods. Fellow backup Mike Brown signed with the New England Patriots.
New head coach Robert Saleh has helped oversee a wave of signings he previously coached with the New York Jets. The Titans just acquired one more. They are replacing Woods with a safety who played for Saleh in East Rutherford.
The Titans signed safety Tony Adams, according to various national reports. They also re-signed Jerrick Reed II. With those two moves, the safety room feels essentially complete.
Titans complete safety room by adding Tony Adams and Jerrick Reed II
Tony Adams
Adams was signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2022 when Saleh was the head coach. The former Illinois standout grew into a pretty consistent performer for them. Adams became a starter as a sophomore, appearing in 15 games and registering 82 tackles, three interceptions, and five passes defended in 2023.
Adams notched a career-high 84 tackles in 2024. He started 12 games this past season before landing on season-ending IR in Week 15 following a groin injury. Adams brings a ton of experience and familiarity with Saleh to the third safety role.
Jerrick Reed II
The Titans claimed Reed off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks in November. It's a little surprising to see him return under a new coaching staff. Obviously he left a good impression on Borgonzi and Chad Brinker.
Reed has primarily played special teams throughout his career. That will likely be his role in Tennessee, given the departing Mike Brown was the team's special teams ace at safety. That gives Reed a fantastic chance to make the 53-man roster.