The Tennessee Titans have seemingly given up on the idea of being a competitive team in the 2025 season after the decision to fire head coach Brian Callahan, as GM Mike Borgonzi seems willing to take some losses on the chin before rebuilding around Cam Ward.
The Titans might be willing to give away some of their best expiring contracts, as getting a Day 3 pick for a player who is not going to return in free agency might be more appealing for Borgonzi.
In an interview with 104.5 The Zone, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said that he would be "very surprised" if the Titans moved on from top defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Soon thereafter, however, Fowler confirmed that this team is open to dealing many established vets and expiring young players.
Fowler added that pass rusher Arden Key, cornerback Roger McCreary, and tight end Chig Okonkwo are all players who could be dealt before the trade deadline hits. All three of them could fetch assets in a trade, but Okonkwo could be the best in terms of getting back tangible assets.
Titans could trade EDGE Arden Cey, CB Roger McCreary, TE Chig Okonkwo
Key has found a home in Tennessee after bouncing around the NFL during the last three years, recording 14 sacks in parts of three seasons. While he is more of a depth piece than anything else, it's not unrealistic to envision a situation in which a contender flips a Day 3 pick over to the Titans for his services.
McCreary might be harder to move off after the Jarvis Brownlee trade, and Tennessee might not get much for a player who could leave in free agency, but there's a lot to like about him as a player for any contending team that needs secondary depth. He can't be your top dog, but anyone who needs a new No. 3 corner should take a look at him.
Okonkwo has recorded 50 catches in each of the last two seasons while playing alongside an almost retired Ryan Tannehill and the inconsistent Will Levis. Okonkwo is currently leading the Titans in catches and is second in receiving yards. Imagine what that production could turn into in a better offense away from a rookie quarterback.
The Titans need to build a winner around Ward, and it has become explicitly clear that the roster they have built over the last few years is not capable of that. Perhaps Borgonzi can turn this team into a roster that can make noise.