Latest Tyler Lockett news is actually a win-win for the Titans, their roster, and the veteran receiver himself
Tyler Lockett is out, and it’s great news for the future of the Titans
The Tennessee Titans signed Tyler Lockett to their roster in the literal hours before the 2025 NFL Draft this past spring, raising the floor of their uncertain WR room. Now less than two months into his tenure in Nashville, he’s done with the team. A to Z Sports can confirm what was first reported by Adam Schefter, that Lockett has requested and been granted his release from the Titans. He will be free to sign with a new team after 4:00pm ET on Wednesday.
Lockett was the Titans WR3 by snaps through seven games with 190, behind only Calvin Ridley and Elic Ayomanor. But in terms of production, he was WR5 by total yards (70). He came in behind two tight ends and a running back on that list too. In other words: he really hadn’t done much. And while his release could look like the beginning of the rats scurrying off a sinking ship on the surface, it’s really just a no-brainer move for everybody involved.
Tyler Lockett’s release is what’s best for everyone
I wrote last week that it was time for us to see less of Tyler Lockett in the Titans offense. It’s nothing personal, I really like the guy, and he’s had a great career. But it’s over, and his involvement in this offense needed to be wrapped up. Well, that happened a lot faster than I expected it to. He finished with 10 catches on 21 targets, and none of what he did in his time here was particularly impressive. PFF grades are often dubious, but this kind of stark verdict is no fluke: so far this season, he’s 121st out of 126 qualifying receivers in the league by overall offensive grade. And he’s dead last out of 120 qualifying receivers in terms of receiving grade.
This just wasn’t working out for anybody. And him leaving is clearly what’s best now that the Titans would be wise to turn their focus to youth and the future down the stretch of this season. I wrote in that article about Lockett last week that I’d be interested in seeing Xavier Restrepo given a shot in the slot, which is obviously a popular take amongst fans. But he’s seen fellow practice squad members James Proche and Mason Kinsey called up on gamedays before him this year, a reflection of his lack of versatility and the coaching staff just generally not thinking he’s good enough right now. Maybe that day will come at some point this season, but the point I was making in that article was less about “more Restrepo” and more about “anybody but Lockett”.
First and foremost, this opens up the path to playing time for rookie Chimere Dike. The plan from the jump was always for Dike to primarily play a big slot role on this team, and just this past weekend we saw him shine with his first career touchdown and a team-leading receiving day. With Bryce Oliver seemingly close to coming back from his knee injury any week, he’ll have a clearer path to playing time now too. The Titans have options here, and all of them are better for the future of this franchise than Tyler Lockett. And getting away from this disaster of a team before the end of one of his last seasons in the NFL is certainly what’s best for Lockett himself. I wish him the best.
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