Tennessee Titans 2026 Offseason Review: A Rebuild Under Saleh Takes Shape

Two consecutive 3-14 seasons forced Tennessee into a full reset. The 2025 campaign was particularly grim: the Titans averaged just 16.7 points per game while allowing 28.1, with a minus-11.4 per-game point differential. The one bright spot was rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who threw for 3,169 yards with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions — and closed the year on a heater, posting a 104.8 passer rating and 7.5 yards per attempt over his final three games. The offseason mission was clear: build around him.

New coaching staff

Brian Callahan was replaced by Robert Saleh, who landed former Giants head coach Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator — the man who helped develop Josh Allen and previously coached new Titans receiver Wan'Dale Robinson in New York. Gus Bradley takes over the defense.

Free agency and trades

Tennessee attacked the open market with over $100 million in cap space. The headline additions: Robinson (four years, $70 million), defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (three years, $63 million, $42 million guaranteed), cornerbacks Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, offensive linemen Cordell Volson and Austin Schlottmann, tight end Daniel Bellinger, and former Chiefs edge Malik Herring. The boldest move was a player-for-player trade sending T'Vondre Sweat to the Jets for edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, a player Saleh knows well from New York. Calvin Ridley also restructured his deal to return on a reduced number.

Who left

Tight end Chig Okonkwo signed with Washington (three years, $27 million). Center Lloyd Cushenberry was released with a failed physical designation, safety Xavier Woods was cut, and Corey Levin joined Atlanta. Right guard Kevin Zeitler was not re-signed and remains available on the market, while edge rusher Arden Key is no longer on the current depth chart.

Draft class

With the No. 4 overall pick, Tennessee landed Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate — the alpha receiver the room lacked. The Titans then traded back into the first round for Auburn edge Keldric Faulk at No. 31. Day 3 added running back Nicholas Singleton, tight end Jaren Kanak, and a pair of rookie offensive linemen. In total, eight selections, five on offense: a direct investment in Ward's supporting cast.

Were last year's weaknesses addressed?

The scoring problem looks improved on paper. Tate, Robinson and a motivated Ridley transform the receiver corps. But the offensive line — the unit that let Ward down in 2025 — remains the biggest question mark. Tennessee enters camp unsettled at center and right guard, with reports indicating the team still had roughly $46 million in effective cap space and was linked to veteran options like Zeitler as late as April. One site called the line plan "a series of gambles."

Playoff outlook

The schedule doesn't help: Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas, Washington and Detroit all await outside the AFC South. Even a division split would only push this roster toward the six-to-eight win range; anything more requires Ward to make a Josh Allen-style leap under Daboll and the rebuilt line to hold up. This looks like a step-forward season more than a playoff season — but for the first time in years, the Titans at least have a direction.