Monday marked the opening day of free agency, and it took some wild and wacky turns. The Tennessee Titans were not immune, making a splash on the market with several signings during the opening salvo of free agency. Who did the franchise sign to rebuild the franchise that holds the first overall selection? How will they proceed with the subsequent several waves of free agency? Despite the waves made by the Titans, they are still flush with cap space, with $64 million in room, according to OverTheCap.
Tennessee Titans Make Splashes In First Week Of Free Agency
QB Brandon Allen
With the news that backup turned starter Mason Rudolph is returning to the wintry climes of the Three Rivers, Tennessee needed another option. Allen signed rather quickly on Thursday afternoon to be that backup option amidst a likely battle with Will Levis behind a possible draft selection. He has experience with Brian Callahan’s offense, which is a plus, and he is a tenured backup.
ILB Cody Barton
The well-traveled Barton agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract with the Titans during the opening hours of free agency on Monday. The Seahawks drafted him in the third round of the 2019 draft, where he spent four seasons to begin his career. Barton then went onto the Commanders for one year before spending 2024 with the Broncos, where he excelled in the Mile High City. The 2022 season was his high-water season, when the linebacker produced 136 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, six passes defended, two interceptions, and two sacks. PFF gave the former Utah linebacker an overall defensive grade of 63.7 last season with the Broncos. The score was good enough to rank him as the 46th-best linebacker in the league.
Linebacker turned out to be a very high priority. The Kenneth Murray signing failed to meet the billing, and Tennessee scooped up Barton. He essentially replaces the outgoing Murray, who was recently traded to the Dallas Cowboys for late-round draft compensation. The Titans needed a starter that could start next to a charcuterie board of Otis Reese, James Williams, and Cedric Gray.
WR Van Jefferson
Jefferson finally comes home to his native Tennessee on a one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million. The five-year veteran is from the Nashville suburb of Brentwood. He’s the son of former Titans wide receivers coach Shawn. He was part of a heartwarming moment when he rushed to the hospital mere minutes after winning the Super Bowl with the Rams. Los Angeles selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Jefferson broke out in his second year with 802 yards and six touchdowns. The former Florida Gators star produced 276 yards and two touchdowns on 24 receptions last season.
The Titans desperately need receiver help behind Calvin Ridley. As it stands, Jefferson would immediately slot in as WR2 for Tennessee. The team must add more to the position group through the draft or free agency.
EDGE Dre’Mont Jones
Tennessee needed more assistance on the perimeter after moving current Patriot Harold Landry to free agency. Enter Jones, formerly of Seattle and Denver, with a career total of 30 sacks to his name. Denver drafted the former Buckeyes lineman in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He is a versatile chess piece that can play multiple positions along the line. Jones was used as an EDGE rusher by Seattle.
Jones will join Arden Key as the Titans’ starter at EDGE and has signed a one-year pact worth up to $10 million with incentives. He brings versatility to Dennard Wilson’s defense and can be used with the returning Sebastian Joseph-Day in specific packages.
OL Blake Hance
Hance is a familiar face to offensive line coach Bill Callahan. The lineman previously played for the venerated coach in Cleveland and Washington. He has played in 59 games in his career, starting 10. The former Jaguars lineman signed a one-year deal to be a versatile swing guard/tackle/center for the Titans. It will be interesting to see which backups Tennessee retains, like Dillon Radunz and Daniel Brunskill.
P Johnny Hekker
After a calamitous season filled with coaching ineptitude and injury recovery, GM Mike Borgonzi did not retain free agent Ryan Stonehouse. Instead, Tennessee pivoted to a name that new special teams coach John Fassel is familiar with. Hekker is a 13-year veteran who has played for two teams, most recently spending three seasons with the Panthers. He’s made four Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams in his illustrious career. If trends hold, Hekker will surpass 1,000 career punts in 2024. He will replace the fan favorite Stonehouse and his cannon leg that often outkicked his coverage, leading to spectacular return opportunities. Hekker’s accuracy is hoped to lead to less disastrous outcomes for the beleaguered Titans’ special teams.
OT Dan Moore
The Titans made one of the biggest splashes in the opening hours of free agency by signing Moore to a megabucks deal worth a whopping $82 million, with $50 million guaranteed. The signing all but confirmed that rising sophomore tackle J.C. Latham would transition to the right side, where he played in college. Adding Moore provides a fix for the ongoing comedy called the Titans’ attempt at fixing the right tackle position. He was expected to have a strong market for his services, but to average $20.5 million a season is quite a boost for his bank account. However, he is 26 years old and removes a position of significant need for Tennessee to look for in the draft. Head Coach Brian Callahan proved prescient in December when he hinted at the possible Latham to right tackle move.
S Xavier Woods
Tennessee upgraded its safety unit by signing one of the iron men of football. The Titans were in need of safety help once Elijah Molden left for the Chargers and Quandre Diggs got injured last season. Woods provides that assistance next to Amani Hooker, who is a better strong safety than free safety. He’s on a cheap contract and should continue being a productive player. He started his career with the Cowboys as a sixth-round selection in the 2017 draft. Woods logged 119 combined tackles, three interceptions, and six passes defended in 2024.
G Kevin Zeitler
Zeitler is a 13-year veteran who has been one of the best guards in the league for many seasons. The Titans massively upgraded their right side during this cycle and should field a competent offensive line. He signed a one-year contract worth $9 million to help the organization move on from Dillon Radunz as a starter. Tennessee has done excellent service to whoever their next quarterback is by adding a veteran like Zeitler to the fold. The starting offensive line is projected to read as follows: Moore-Skoronski-Cushenberry-Zeitler-Latham, which is solid.
Main Photo: Steven Bisig – Imagn Images
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