The Tennessee Titans announced Friday that former Pro Bowl running back Chris Johnson will be inducted into the Ring of Honor during the Week 1 home opener against the Jets. 

Johnson’s ALS battle became public at the end of June, and the franchise moved quickly to honor him. Coach Dave McGinnis, who passed away in April, will also be added to the Ring of Honor during the 2026 season, though that date has not yet been announced.

Both additions are deserved. Both are also reactionary. 

The Titans have developed an unfortunate pattern of waiting for external (often heartbreaking) circumstances to push them into honoring their greats. That needs to change, because there is a long list of former players who deserve Ring of Honor recognition right now, not whenever the next tragedy forces the organization’s hand.

The ‘what are we waiting on’ tier

Jurrell Casey is maybe the most slept-on Titans great in franchise history. He made five consecutive Pro Bowls between 2014 and 2019, anchoring the defensive line through one of the most challenging stretches the franchise has endured. 

Casey helped carry the Titans through a difficult transitional period and was part of two playoff teams toward the back half of his Tennessee career. He deserves to be in the Ring of Honor. There is no reason to wait.

Jevon Kearse set the NFL’s rookie sack record with 14.5 sacks, a record that still stands. Why is he not already in the Ring of Honor? The fact that he left for Philadelphia and eventually returned shouldn’t matter. Put him in.

Keith Bulluck is another obvious omission. One of the best linebackers in franchise history, and yet the Titans continue to drag their feet.

Blaine Bishop made two Pro Bowls (one as a Titan, one as an Oiler) and was a critical part of the group that helped this franchise transition to the state of Tennessee. Beyond his playing career, Bishop has dedicated his post-football life to the organization. He’s been on 104.5 The Zone for decades, contributed to Titans Radio, and been part of the pregame and postgame coverage and the game day atmosphere around Nissan Stadium for years. Why is Blaine Bishop not in the Ring of Honor?

Those four are the automatics. Casey, Kearse, Bullock, Bishop. What are we thinking about?

The next group of Titans in line

After the “what are we waiting on” tier, there’s a second group that should follow closely behind.

Delanie Walker was right there with Casey carrying this team through a tough stretch, making three Pro Bowls and becoming one of the most beloved Titans of his era. Taylor Lewan made three consecutive Pro Bowls as the Titans’ left tackle. Punter Brett Kern overlaps with both of these guys (and Casey) and was a consistent force for years.

Kyle Vanden Bosch was a freak, a beast on the edge who even united with Kearse during that 2008 season. 

All of them belong in the Ring of Honor. Let the first tier go in immediately, then follow with Walker, Vanden Bosch, Lewan, and Kern shortly after.

The active players who will get there

There’s also a group of players who will earn their place once their playing careers are complete. 

Derrick Henry and Jeffrey Simmons both made four Pro Bowls as members of the Titans, and Jeff is still going. 

Safety Kevin Byard belongs in this future conversation as well. They’ll get there, and they’ll have their time.

But the larger point remains. The Titans cannot keep waiting for external events to force their hand on Ring of Honor decisions. 

Honor people for what they did on the field, unquestioned, and not because circumstances demand urgency.

What have they been waiting on?