NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Coming off consecutive 3-14 seasons, the Tennessee Titans have signaled a clear shift – in branding and, more importantly, on the roster – during this offseason. The franchise unveiled new logos and uniforms on Thursday, alongside a significant overhaul of its personnel in the second year under General Manager Mike Borgonzi.
Tennessee has been among the NFL’s most active teams in free agency, committing nearly $270 million to player acquisitions since the period began a week ago. As of the first six days, only the Las Vegas Raiders ($281 million) have spent more on free agents, according to ESPN.
Key additions include defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers ($63 million), wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (over $70 million), and cornerback Alontae Taylor ($60 million), each addressing significant needs on the roster.
While these additions look promising on paper, success isn’t guaranteed. A look back at the Titans’ spending spree before the 2024 season – totaling $228 million – serves as a cautionary tale.
In 2024, Tennessee signed Lloyd Cushenberry III to a four-year, $50 million contract, considered the top free agent center on the market at the time. They too brought in wide receiver Calvin Ridley on a four-year, $92 million deal. Further investments were made in free agents Chidobe Awuzie, Jamal Adams, and Quandre Diggs to bolster the secondary, along with inside linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. The team also acquired cornerback L’Jarius Sneed via trade and extended his contract.
Awuzie, Adams, and Murray didn’t complete a second season with the Titans. Two years later, Ridley is the only remaining player from that free agent class, having agreed to a contract restructuring on Saturday to remain with the franchise through the 2026 season.
Cushenberry was released in February with a failed physical designation, while Sneed was released last week after appearing in just 12 games over two seasons. The Titans released Sneed on Friday, saving $11.4 million in cap space, according to ESPN.
Over the past 10 seasons, five of the teams that spent the most in free agency have made the playoffs that same year. Only three teams that made the biggest investment in free agents reached their conference championship game that same year: the 2017 Jacksonville Jaguars, the 2019 Green Bay Packers, and the 2025 New England Patriots.
Seven of the 15 new players acquired by the Patriots had prior connections to the coaching staff of Mike Vrabel, who took command last season; five of them had previously played for the Titans. New England’s $283 million investment in free agency led the NFL, resulting in the Patriots being the only team to reach the Super Bowl after spending the most money on free agents.
Tennessee hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2021. The goal is for this year’s group to have a greater impact on turning around this struggling franchise. Borgonzi and new Titans head coach Robert Saleh are adopting a similar approach to what the Patriots used last year.
“I think it’s important to some extent, but it’s not the only thing that matters,” Saleh said when asked about familiarity with free agents during last month’s Combine. “There are relationships that were forged through the draft process, through scouting. There are definitely relationships that have been built just over time in the NFL. Is it the only thing that matters? No.”
As of last weekend, 11 of the Titans’ 14 free agent acquisitions had previously been connected to Borgonzi, Saleh, or offensive coordinator Brian Daboll at earlier stages in their careers.
Tennessee acquired defensive tackle Solomon Thomas from the Dallas Cowboys via a seventh-round draft pick swap in the 2026 draft. Saleh was the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers when Thomas was selected with the third overall pick in 2017.
The Titans are confident Saleh can restore the team’s culture in a similar way to how Vrabel did with New England: going from a 3-14 record in 2024 to 14-3.
“We wanted a leader for this football team who was going to be able to build a winning culture and connect with the entire organization,” Borgonzi stated during Saleh’s introductory press conference in January. “A leader with a clear vision, plan, and process for this team. That leader, for us, was Robert Saleh.”
Tennessee is pleased with the direction of its roster, but it’s clear there’s still work to be done. The Titans will continue to add lower-profile free agents – and can always explore trades – as they complete the roster. They will then turn their attention to the draft, where they hold nine selections, including the fourth overall pick.
The Titans’ aggressive spending in free agency, coupled with a new coaching staff and a high draft pick, represents a significant investment in the future. Whether it translates to on-field success remains to be seen, but the team is clearly aiming to return to contention in the AFC. The team’s next major step will be the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled to begin April 23rd.
