The Tennessee Titans' decision to select T'Vondre Sweat with the No. 38 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft generated significant debate. Some held football-related opinions that claimed Sweat was a two-down run stopper who didn't carry the value of a top-40 prospect. More notably, several NFL Draft analysts claimed there were significant off-field character flags, allegations that were strongly backed by an alleged misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated mere weeks before the draft.
Despite all the back-and-forth discussion, then-GM Ran Carthon and head coach Brian Callahan selected Sweat with conviction. So much so that they reportedly turned down significant trade offers to remain at No. 38 overall and select Sweat. Their gamble appeared to initially pay off.
Sweat enjoyed a productive rookie season in 2024. The former Texas standout registered 51 tackles and was consistently available, putting conditioning concerns to bed. Pro Football Focus graded Sweat as the 16th-best defensive tackle in the NFL during his debut campaign. The arrow appeared to be pointing up.
Where it started going wrong for T'Vondre Sweat
The weight of significant expectations arrived for his sophomore campaign in 2025. It immediately got off to a peculiar start. Sweat was essentially a non-participant at training camp last offseason due to the combination of a minor injury and a tonsillectomy. Unsurprisingly, a poorly conditioned Sweat suffered an injury in Week 1 that sidelined him for Week 2.
The weirdness continued. Sweat declared himself healthy for Week 3 before being placed on IR less than 48 hours later. Indications were Sweat tweaked the injury after claiming himself available, but the general timing was unclear and poorly received.
Sweat returned after his four-game absence and was impactful. PFF once again graded him out favorably, this time as the fifth-best defensive tackle in the NFL. That feels generous, but Sweat certainly performed admirably down the stretch.
T'Vondre Sweat wears out his welcome in Tennessee
It would be Sweat's final stretch as a Titan. Second-year general manager Mike Borgonzi traded Sweat to the New York Jets on Thursday in exchange for EDGE Jermaine Johnson II. It wasn't shocking, despite him being talented.
Borgonzi inherited Sweat from the previous regime. It became clear rather quickly that Borgonzi wasn't the biggest fan of Carthon's work. He swiftly undid many of Carthon's doings by getting rid of Chido Awuzie, Kenneth Murray, and others during his first offseason.
Last year's midseason decision to trade Jarvis Brownlee Jr. made it abundantly clear that Borgonzi was willing to sacrifice young talent in favor of locker-room culture, character, and work ethic. Some started wondering then if Sweat could be next. The hiring of Robert Saleh as head coach created questions about Sweat's scheme fit, too. Perhaps all of that combined to create momentum for Thursday's deal with the Jets.
What the T'Vondre Sweat trade really says about the Titans
Regardless of your opinion on the Sweat trade, one fact about the Titans is currently undeniable. They will never achieve legitimate progress as a franchise if they don't find stability at general manager and head coach. New decision makers are hired and work diligently to undo the previous regime's doings. Players aren't considered character, culture, or scheme fits. No matter the reasoning, no two general managers ever hold identical visions.
Borgonzi has made significant moves to retool the roster in his vision. It'll be a longer process due to disagreeing with so many Carthon decisions. Trading away top-40 picks two years into their tenure rarely leads to quick turnarounds, and the Titans are coming off consecutive 3-14 campaigns.
Sweat was a Carthon-Callahan guy. The Titans have now traded him for Johnson, a Borgonzi-Saleh guy. If Saleh isn't here in 2027 (he will be), then Johnson would likely no longer be viewed as an ideal fit. Wash, rinse, repeat. The Hamster keeps running in circles on the wheel.
Progress becomes unattainable when patterns and habits aren't allowed time to form. The Sweat trade is simply another example of how the Titans' front-office instability has been so incredibly untenable. Borgonzi and Saleh must be permitted time to build the Titans in their collaborative vision.
If not, we'll probably be writing this article again in 2027 or 2028 about someone else with whom they've parted ways.