There have been blockbuster trades in the NHL and NBA over the last month, and based on some recent buzz, owners and general managers might be interested in bringing that trend to the NFL. From Myles Garrett to Matthew Stafford, it seems like every day there is a new rumor about a superstar player who could be on the move, but the Tennessee Titans need to approach all situations with caution.
When Chad Brinker brought in Mike Borgonzi to be the new GM, the Titans had a vision for the future. The goal was to hit a quota for draft selections (30 in total, 12 inside the top 100 over the next three years). The goal is to bring in as much young talent as possible and allow the talented coaches on this staff to develop them.
The Titans must show far more restrain than Ran Carthon did last offseason, because any blockbuster trade would almost certainly derail the plan presented by Borgonzi.
It is unrealistic to assume that the Titans will be able to completely rebuild through the draft, and you should expect to see several free agents signed this offseason with the intent to start them in 2025. However, it is hard to develop young players if they aren't allowed to see the field because a veteran is blocking their path. Instead of focusing on free agency as their primary way to acquire talent, they'll use veteran additions to supplement the holes on the roster that weren't filled via the draft.
In any potential trade, the Titans must identify players with multiple high-level seasons left in their careers. Garrett checks that box, but Derek Carr, Cooper Kupp, and Stafford are all names floating around that just don't make much sense for this team.
As fun as it is to imagine ways that the Titans could turn all of this draft capital and cap space into a competitive roster for 2025, the realistic goal is to improve while solidifying the foundation for 2026 and beyond. It won't be exciting, but if it is done right, it will be effective while positioning the Titans for future contention.
If the Titans want to make a splash this offseason that aligns with their blueprint for success, then that should mean targeting young free agents that they have connections to like Trey Smith or Tee Higgins. This offseason's approach must differ greatly from last year's.