Bleav in Titans

For the third straight year and the fourth time in six seasons under coach Mike Vrabel, the Tennessee Titans have started 0-1. This time, they fell 16-15 to the New Orleans Saints in a game that featured some dominant play by the defense, a sparkling debut by kicker Nick Folk and a disastrous outing by quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who threw three interceptions, missed some wide open receivers, was...

As preparations for Sunday's opener against the New Orleans Saints got underway in earnest, coach Mike Vrabel revealed who had been named team captains, based on a vote of the players. Seven (three on offense, three on defense and one on special teams) were chosen, and one of the seven is likely to be a surprise to most fans. ... One thing Vrabel would not disclose is whether Malik Willis or rooki...

There were plenty of notable decisions the Tennessee Titans made when they cut their roster to 53 players. Among them: all three quarterbacks (Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis and rookie Will Levis) made it; two rookies who grew up in or around Nashville (wide receiver Colton Dowell and safety Matthew Jackson) made it: and two recent draft picks (wide receiver Racey McMath and linebacker Chance Campbe...

The Titans' final week of the preseason included New England's decision to cancel joint workouts between the teams prior to their game on Aug. 25, the news that cornerback Caleb Farley's father was killed in an explosion that destroyed Farley's North Carolina home, and the news that former Tennessee wide receiver decided to end his NFL career at 28 years old and with one year remaining on his cont...

Second-year wide receiver Treylon Burks sustained a sprained lateral collateral knee ligament during the first day of joint workouts with the Minnesota Vikings. Burks was injured without contact, which – after an injury-filled rookie season – raises questions about his durability. The fact that it was not a season-ending injury, however, means he will have the opportunity to live up to the expecta...

The first preseason game means the release of the first depth chart of the season. While "unofficial," it is nonetheless interesting in what it reveals about some players. The Titans' first depth chart shows that some have new positions, others have unexpected competition and there are those who have a long way to go to make the regular-season roster. ... Coach Mike Vrabel decided to use...

At this point in training camp, all coaches and fans have to go on when it comes to player evaluation is performance in practices. By all accounts, rookie quarterback Will Levis performed well on Monday. The next day, he got reps with the second-team offense for the first time. Maybe it was a coincidence (Denard Walker) thinks so, perhaps it was not (that's John Glennon's belief). What is certain...

Shortly after he signed with the Tennessee Titans, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins talked about factors that influenced his decision, including his relationships with coach Mike Vrabel and running back Derrick Henry. Curiously, though, he also cited the team's performance in the final two games of 2022, defeats that extended Tennessee's losing streak to seven games and ended its reign as AFC South c...

All of the what-ifs turned into what is when free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said he intended to sign with the Tennessee Titans. Coach Mike Vrabel confirmed the move, which added a much-needed and proven playmaker to an offense that desperately needed one. Nearly every other skill position player should benefit from the presence of the eight-time Pro Bowler, who at 31 years old – and base...

It is mid-July, which means the report dates for Tennessee Titans rookies (July 22) and veterans (July 25), as well as the first practice (July 26), is just weeks away. Even the first preseason game (Aug. 12 at Chicago) will occur in a month. ... Franchise officials also have revealed when they will reveal the throwback uniforms that will be worn for one -- maybe two games -- during the 2024 NFL s...

To Tennessee Titans fans, the Fourth of July is more than just a national holiday. It is also the anniversary of Steve McNair's untimely death in 2009, and many take the time each year to remember the only quarterback to take this franchise to the Super Bowl. ... The NFL announced that right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere has been suspended for the first six games of the 2023 season due to a violatio...

It has been more than a week since the Tennessee Titans hosted wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on a free-agent visit. Since then, he has met with one other team and made one big promise. He has not, however, settled on where he will play in 2023. Opinions vary on whether the wait is good news or bad for the Titans. ... Running back Derrick Henry is mentioned prominently in any discussion about Tenne...

Free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins came to Nashville for a visit and went off – without a deal – to talk to the New England Patriots. As of now, these are the only franchises that have had formal talks with the five-time Pro Bowler, who the Arizona Cardinals recently released. In a head-to-head comparison, there are several notable reasons to think the Titans would be a more appealing team t...

Coach Mike Vrabel confirmed that the Tennessee Titans will host wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on a free-agent visit. If reports of other possible destinations are accurate, it is clear that Hopkins, a five-time Pro Bowler, values familiarity. In Vrabel, offensive coordinator Tim Kelly and passing game coordinator Charles London, he has that in Tennessee, courtesy of his seven seasons with the Hous...

This episode opens with a roundup of recent personnel notes, which include draft pick signings, a free agent addition, and the retirement of a true Titans great. ... Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is available after the Arizona Cardinals released him, and Tennessee -- as it turns out -- needs wide receivers. A rundown of all the reasons general manager Ran Carthon and coach Mike Vrabel should want...

The NFL has implemented a rule change for the 2023 season that allows teams to dress an emergency, third-string quarterback for games. That player must be on the 53-man active roster and can play only if the first two are injured and/or ejected. Following the draft, coach Mike Vrabel said Will Levis is the Tennessee Titans' third-string quarterback, but the change likely will have a bigger impact...

In an attempt to put the issues from his rookie season behind him, 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks decided to stay put. The wide receiver, who battled conditioning and injury issues last season, decided to spend the offseason in Nashville, training at the team facility to better acclimate himself to the local conditions as well as to build rapport and trust with the coaching staff. ... This ye...

Recent developments for the Tennessee Titans include a lawsuit filed by former left tackle Taylor Lewan, changes in the front office, including the departure of former interim general manager Ryan Cowden and the first post-draft media availability for select players, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill. ... Third-round draft pick Tyjae Spears could be the change-of-pace back the Titans have wante...

No one would say the Tennessee Titans' selection of Northwestern tackle Peter Skoronski in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft (11th overall) was a reach. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound All-American was widely considered to be among this year's top 10 prospects. However, pre-draft analysis included concern about his short arms, similar to what happened a year ago with cornerback Roger McCreary. The Tit...

In recent years, the Tennessee Titans have made some notable selections on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. In 2016, for example, they came away with running back Derrick Henry in the second round and safety Kevin Byard in the third round. Two years later, they got outside linebacker Harold Landry with the 41st overall pick, which is exactly where they are scheduled to pick in this year's second round. Tho...

Jeffery Simmons' four-year, $94 million contract extension makes him the NFL's highest-paid defensive tackle in terms of guaranteed money ($66.91 million) and second to Aaron Donald in terms of average money over the next three seasons ($23.5 million). ... The deal means the Titans have Simmons' rights through the 2027 season. The structure of the contract, however, allows for Simmons to be releas...

Numerous reports say the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals are engaged in talks that would result in the Titans getting the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Tennessee currently has six overall selections, the first of which is No. 11. ... If the Titans move up to No. 3, it almost certainly is because they want to pick a quarterback, and – barring a surprise in the first two selection...

When asked about his quarterback situation at the latest NFL owners' meetings, Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel said he would not guarantee that Ryan Tannehill would be the guy when the regular season started. His reluctance is understandable given what he said – and what ultimately happened – last offseason with wide receiver A.J. Brown. So, is it simply caution on Vrabel's part, or is there a...

Several players were released early this offseason to create salary cap space. Apparently, the Tennessee Titans need more, and they have asked Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard to take a pay cut. Thus far, Byard has refused, and reports indicate that he could be released if the sides can't reach an acceptable agreement to both. It is a stunning and potentially troublesome development in the minds of man...

First-year general manager Ran Carthon leaned heavily on his San Francisco connections at the start of free agency. Three of the first five players with whom the Tennessee Titans agreed to contract terms spent at least one season with the 49ers while Carthon was a member of that front office. They are: inside linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, edge rusher Arden Key and guard Daniel Brunskill. All three h...