With the March 9 legal tampering period closing in, Titans right guard Kevin Zeitler and tight end Chig Okonkwo are among their highest-profile pending free agents. Of all the Titans’ unsigned players, they are “pushing hardest” to re-sign Zeitler and Okonkwo, according to team insider Paul Kuharsky.
Although Zeitler has been a full-time starter since his career began as a 2012 first-rounder, the 35-year-old could move on to a seventh team in free agency. The former Bengal, Brown, Giant, Raven and Lion joined the Titans a year ago for $9MM, pushing him past $100MM in career earnings. It was money well spent for Tennessee, even though the team posted its second straight 3-14 record.
Playing the 14th year of his career, the reliable Zeitler gave the Titans 16 starts in as many appearances. Pro Football Focus ranked Zeitler’s performance 11th out of 79 qualifying guards. He earned an especially solid grade as a pass blocker, which should be important to a Tennessee team trying to protect a prized young quarterback.
As a rookie last year, 2025 first overall pick Cam Ward took a league-worst 55 sacks. Losing Zeitler wouldn’t do Ward any favors. Plus, having released center Lloyd Cushenberry this week, Zeitler’s exit would force the Titans to add two new starters on the line. They would like to avoid that, per Kuharsky.
Okonkwo was part of former Titans general manager Jon Robinson‘s last draft class in 2022. Since a 32-catch rookie season, Okonkwo has gone over the 50 mark three years in a row. The Titans added a fourth-round rookie tight end in Gunnar Helm, who racked up 44 catches, but it did not hamper Okonkwo’s production. In his fourth consecutive 17-game season, the durable Okonkwo set career highs in receptions (56) and yards (560). He also led Titans TEs in snap share (63.07% to Helm’s 50.47%) and scored two touchdowns.
“I definitely want to be a part of the core and watch this place grow from where we’re at now into a winning organization,” Okonkwo said in January.
Okonkwo is clearly open to re-signing, but it’s unknown if Zeitler feels the same way. Regardless, both players should sign reasonably priced deals. With a league-high $94.8MM in cap room, the Titans are well-positioned to keep Zeitler and Okonkwo in the fold.
I hope they re-sign both, but Zeitler may go to a contender. Chig has big play ability and hopefully with another year with Ward, can get into the endzone more. Still has to work on his blocking.