Tennessee Titans free agency updates: The aggressive philosophy change is in full swing
Unsurprisingly, the Tennessee Titans' first day of "free agency" was more confirmation of the franchise's change in direction under new head coach Brian Callahan and second-year general manager Ran Carthon.The Titans made multiple moves on both sides of the ball that we'll discuss in just a minute and there's plenty of time for more additions […]
Unsurprisingly, the Tennessee Titans' first day of "free agency" was more confirmation of the franchise's change in direction under new head coach Brian Callahan and second-year general manager Ran Carthon.
The Titans made multiple moves on both sides of the ball that we'll discuss in just a minute and there's plenty of time for more additions over the coming hours, days, and weeks.
Let's stop wasting time and dive in.
1) C Lloyd Cushenberry
Contract details: 4yrs, $50 million ($12.5M APY) w/$30M guaranteed
Projected contract: 3 yrs, $36 million ($12M APY) w/$20M guaranteed
Everyone is well aware of the Titans' struggles along the offensive line and I promise it took the Callahans about five total plays on film to figure that out. If that.
Cushenberry was easily the best center on the market and provides an instant and huge upgrade over last year's starter in Aaron Brewer. He's a good fit for Callahan's varied rushing attack, which is a mix of both zone and gap schemes.
This won't be the only move on the offensive line, including the upcoming draft. But it shows the team is serious about protecting Will Levis and it also gives him a chance to develop an important relationship in the QB-C relationship.
2) RB Tony Pollard
Contract details: 3 yrs, $24 million ($8M APY)
Projected contract: 3 yrs, $22.5 million ($7.5M APY) w/$13M guaranteed
With Derrick Henry all but playing elsewhere, the Titans had to get another back to complement Tyjae Spears. Pollard is almost a carbon copy of Spears, which is a great spot to be in.
Repetition is not boring in the NFL – especially if you have dual threat running backs like these guys. Defenses knew what was going to happen around 90% of the time when Henry was on the field because he wasn't a focal part of the passing attack (and please, I'm not taking anything away from one of the best running backs to ever play the game, it's just the truth).
That won't be the case in 2024. It doesn't matter if it's Pollard or Spears – teams won't be able to fully key in on either aspect. And that in itself is a nice weapon to have on offense.
3) CB Chidobe Awuzie
Contract details: 3yrs $25.5 million ($8.5M APY), w/$17.5M guaranteed
Projected contract: 1 yr $8.5 million, w/$8.5M guaranteed
Cornerback was easily a position near the top of the list of priorities. Awuzie is more a CB2 at this point in his career, so it'll be interesting to see if the Titans make another move in either free agency or the draft.
Still, Tennessee gets a reliable veteran that has a high floor when it comes to his level of play. And if Roger McCreary can continue to develop – the Titans secondary all of a sudden looks a whole lot less shaky than it did coming into March.
4) LB Kenneth Murray
Contract details: 2 yrs, $15.5 million ($7.75M APY)
Projected contract: 2 yrs $8.5 million ($4.25M APY), w/$1.5M guaranteed
Murray's deal is worth up to $18 million, which is a good move on the Titans' part. It has nothing to do with any kind of motivation issues, either. It's simply smart business to give your employees a reward for playing at a high level.
Murray's time was complicated in Los Angeles, as he wasn't drafted to play in Brandon Staley's defense – he was in Gus Bradley's, which is a completely different scheme. It was the perfect example of how the NFL can just chew guys up and spit them out because Murray couldn't ever live up to the expectations that come with a first-round pick.
Anthony Weaver's defense is a much better system for Murray. It's a fresh start, too, which can certainly change the trajectory of a player's career. It's not a bad deal, either.
Final word
The first moves of free agency obviously showcase change in Tennessee. As successful as Mike Vrabel was (outside the last two seasons, obviously), the Titans had fallen into a rut of doing things the same way and it ultimately came back to bite them.
There's still plenty left on the table, but so far, it's clear the Titans know what direction they want to go in as they navigate a crucial first offseason in 2024.
