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Tennessee Titans News & Rumors

Titans Interested In DL Arik Armstead, To Meet With LB Jerome Baker

March 13th, 2024 at 9:40am CST by Sam Robinson

Two recent cap casualties are on the Titans’ radar, one of them having an extensive history with GM Ran Carthon. A year after Carthon brought in Daniel Brunskill and Azeez Al-Shaair from the 49ers, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports Arik Armstead is on the team’s radar.

While other teams are expected to show interest in the departing San Francisco standout, the Titans are a known suitor. Armstead, 30, has played all nine seasons of his career with the 49ers. Carthon was not in San Francisco’s front office when the team chose him in the 2015 first round, but the veteran exec was with the team when it extended the 6-foot-7 D-lineman. Armstead is likely set to be a post-June 1 49ers cut, though he would be free to sign elsewhere beginning Wednesday.

Additionally, the Titans have scheduled a visit with former Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. Spending six years with the Dolphins, Baker received his walking papers as the AFC East team made a journey under the salary cap. That odyssey involved cutting multiple regulars. The Titans saw the Dolphins sign linebacker David Long last year; they will see about adding Baker during a Thursday meeting.

Carthon’s team is changing its defense this offseason, bringing in Dennard Wilson to run the show after six years with Mike Vrabel (feat. Shane Bowen) in charge. Armstead has excelled in both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses, being moved to a full-time defensive tackle role as the 49ers found their footing under Kyle Shanahan. While Armstead has battled injury trouble over the past two seasons, he declined a 49ers pay cut and will test free agency for the first time. He will do so not long after undergoing knee surgery; knee and foot issues cost Armstead late-season time last year, though he returned for San Francisco’s playoff slate.

The 49ers gave Armstead a big-ticket extension in 2020, choosing a slightly cheaper deal there rather than giving DeForest Buckner a top-market DT deal. Armstead stayed mostly healthy from 2019-21, racking up 10 sacks to help the Super Bowl LIV-bound 49ers in 2019 and adding six as the 49ers returned to the NFC title game two years later. He totaled five sacks and 13 QB hits — matching his second-highest single-season total — despite missing five regular-season games in 2023. Pro Football Focus ranked the veteran fifth among interior D-linemen in pass rushing, while ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric slotted him 10th.

Miami gave Baker a three-year, $37.5MM extension in 2021. Showing an ability to rack up tackles and sacks with the Dolphins, Baker put together some versatile seasons to start the 2020s. He racked up seven sacks and 112 tackles in 2020 and posted a 5.5/92 pairing a year later. The former third-round pick delivered a four-sack, 100-tackle 2022. Although Baker missed time with an MCL injury and left Miami’s regular-season finale immediately after being activated off IR, he is only 27 and should have a chance to start again in 2024.

Tennessee lost multiple defensive pieces — Al-Shaair and Autry — to Houston this week, though the team did add a linebacker piece in ex-Chargers first-rounder Kenneth Murray. The retooling club will consider some additional pickups, however, with both Armstead and Baker undoubtedly available at discounted rates compared to their second contracts.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/12/24

March 12th, 2024 at 9:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

DE Chase Young To Visit Panthers, Saints, Titans

March 12th, 2024 at 1:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

A few of the top edge rushers in the 2024 free agent class have already found a new home. One of the more intriguing options still available is Chase Young, who has a trio of visits lined up. Carolina and New Orleans are expected host Young later this week, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The Titans will also bring him in, colleague Ian Rapoport notes.

While Young’s Panthers meeting is taking place Thursday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football notes the former Defensive Rookie of the Year will make his trip to New Orleans on Friday.

Entering the NFL with massive expectations, Young seemed destined for a long and productive Commanders career given his play in 2020. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors that season, but things did not go according to plan after that. A torn ACL and a ruptured patellar tendon left the former No. 2 pick sidelined for considerable stretches, and his time in Washington ultimately came to an end at the trade deadline.

By the time the Commanders elected to deal Young to San Francisco, fellow defensive end (and pending free agent) Montez Sweat had been traded. The latter’s absence seemed to suggest Washington would attempt to re-sign Young, but instead his walk year concluded with the 49ers. Playing opposite Nick Bosa, Young posted only 2.5 sacks in nine regular season games with San Francisco (albeit while logging a much smaller workload). The Ohio State alum chipped in with one sack in the team’s run to the Super Bowl, but it would come as a surprise if the NFC champions made a major effort to retain him after his 2023 showing.

Still only 24, Young profiles as having some of the highest upside amongst free agents on either side of the ball this year. In both Carolina and New Orleans, he would be counted on as a key edge rush producer. The Panthers finally put an end to the Brian Burns saga on Monday, dealing him to the Giants. That has created a major vacancy along the edge, as Burns was the team’s most proficient sack artist.

Carolina was last in the league in sacks in 2023, and New Orleans did not fare much better (28th). The Saints were led in that department by Carl Granderson, but fellow defensive end Cameron Jordan was limited to a pair of sacks. Adding Young as a (potentially) impactful rusher off the edge would be beneficial to a Saints team needing to get younger on defense.

Tennessee saw 2023 sack leader Denico Autry agree to a deal with the Texans yesterday, so a replacement will be needed. Harold Landry and Arden Key are both under contract for 2024, but another rotational option would help the Titans’ front seven as the team looks to rebound from a poor performance last season. Young appears prepared to take his time vetting potential landing spots. .

Browns, Titans, Giants Eyeing QB Jameis Winston

March 12th, 2024 at 9:18am CST by Ben Levine

MARCH 12: In addition to the Browns, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports the Titans and Giants have shown “preliminary interest” in Winston. Tennessee has Will Levis in place as the quarterback of the present and future, but adding an experienced option capable of starting or providing high-end insurance would be a logical move. Malik Willis holds the QB2 spot for now, but the Levis selection last spring has limited his ability to compete for a starting role in Nashville.

The Giants, meanwhile, saw Tyrod Taylor agree to a deal with the Jets yesterday. Linked to drafting a Daniel Jones successor this April, New York will at least need a veteran backup if Jones is unable to start the 2024 season on time as recovers from a torn ACL. Winston would fit the bill, and likely not at an especially high price tag.

MARCH 11: The Browns are hoping for a healthy season from Deshaun Watson in 2024, but that won’t stop the front office from pursuing a top-end backup. While the team navigates Joe Flacco‘s free agency, the Browns are eyeing another notable quarterback. According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, the Browns are interested in Jameis Winston as a backup QB.

[RELATED: Saints’ Jameis Winston Eyeing Starting Role]

Winston has been in New Orleans since 2020, and despite several changes atop the depth chart, he’s continued to serve as a fill-in at quarterback. As a result, the former first-overall pick was reportedly seeking a starting gig as he weighs free agent offers this time around. The 30-year-old has not played a full season as a starter since 2019, the year of his infamous 33-touchdown, 30-interception campaign with the Buccaneers

Of course, finding a QB1 job would be easier said than done, as few teams would simply hand the reins to Winston. For what it’s worth, the veteran has looked good as a backup in New Orleans. The Saints have gone 6-4 in Winston’s 10 starts with the organization, and the QB has tossed 20 touchdowns vs. 11 interceptions in his 21 games with New Orleans. He didn’t get a chance to start while serving as Derek Carr‘s back in 2023, with Winston completing only 25 of his 47 pass attempts while tossing two TDs and three interceptions.

The Browns lucked out with their backup plan in 2023. Flacco guided the Browns to a 4-1 record in his five starts, with the former Super Bowl winner finding the fountain of youth while tossing 13 touchdowns, his highest total since 2017. The veteran QB is reportedly looking to stick in Cleveland for the 2024 campaign, and the free agent confirmed that sentiment during a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

“I can tell you that, all things equal, Cleveland is definitely the place where I’d feel best about,” Flacco said (via Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com). “Now, then you have to get into the world of, is someone actually going to give me a chance to play? And all the different things that go into that.

“But I can’t help but have a special feeling about Cleveland, just because of the few weeks that I spent there and how great the city was. And, listen, at the end of the day, I don’t necessarily want that to be a huge part [or] all of the decision. But I do think it will factor into the decision — if I end up having a decision to make.”

Titans To Sign LB Kenneth Murray

March 11th, 2024 at 10:46pm CST by Ben Levine

Kenneth Murray is staying in the AFC. The free agent linebacker is signing with the Titans, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Murray has since announced the move via Instagram (h/t Daniel Popper of The Athletic).

It’s a two-year deal worth $15.5MM, per Garafolo. The contract can max out at $18MM.

Murray was a first-round pick by the Chargers back in 2020. He earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors after finishing with 107 tackles, but a balky ankle contributed to him having an inconsistent role during his sophomore campaign.

He bounced back a bit in 2022, starting 16 of his 17 appearances. However, he was limited to only 76 tackles, and the Chargers declined his fifth-year option last offseason. As an impending free agent, Murray showed some of the ability he flashed as a rookie, finishing the 2023 campaign with 107 tackles and a career-high three sacks. While the numbers were up, Pro Football Focus still only ranked Murray 75th among 82 qualifying linebackers.

Despite the inconsistent showing, Murray managed to get a two-year commitment from the Titans. The team needed some reinforcement after Azeez Al-Shaair left for the Texans today. Al-Shaair finished last season with a team-leading 163 tackles, and the Titans are certainly hoping that Murray can make up for that absence.

Texans To Sign LB Azeez Al-Shaair

March 11th, 2024 at 6:32pm CST by Ben Levine

After being a rumored target of the Texans last offseason, Azeez Al-Shaair has finally landed in Houston. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Texans have agreed to a three-year deal with the linebacker. The contract is worth $34MM.

This move reunites Al-Shaair with DeMeco Ryans, who was the defensive coordinator when the duo was in San Francisco. Considering that connection, the linebacker seemed like a logical target for the Texans when Ryans was hired last offseason. Instead, Al-Shaair joined the Titans on a one-year deal.

Al-Shaair had a career-year in Tennessee, starting all 17 games of a season for the first time. He also matched career-highs in sacks (2.0) and tackles for loss (9) while setting new highs in quarterback hits (6) and total tackles (163). Al-Shaair had, by far, the most snaps on the Titans defense last year and now leaves the defense in the hands of Jack Gibbens, who is an exclusive rights free agent and the only other inside linebacker on the team with more than 100 snaps last year. Expect Tennessee to pursue some linebacker help in free agency and the draft.

In Houston, Al-Shaair fills one of the holes left by the departure of Blake Cashman to Minnesota and the likely departure of Denzel Perryman in free agency. With those two likely gone, Al-Shaair should slot in as a starter next to Christian Harris. Henry To’oTo’o should have an opportunity to start with them in his sophomore season, but Houston may continue to browse for a strong third starter.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

Titans To Sign C Lloyd Cushenberry

March 11th, 2024 at 6:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

6:23PM: Details have come in on Cushenberry’s new deal, thanks to Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus. Cushenberry heads to Tennessee where he will earn $50MM over four years. The contract includes $26MM fully guaranteed at signing and an additional $4MM for $30MM of total guarantees. His four-year average of $12.5MM per year ranks third among NFL centers, and the $30MM of cash flow over the first two seasons of the deal is the most ever for the position.

12:37PM: Another notable offensive addition is set to be made by Tennessee. The Titans plan to add center Lloyd Cushenberry, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports.

As the Broncos navigate cap trouble following the Russell Wilson debacle, they were not expected to retain Cushenberry, who had been their starting center for four seasons. The former third-round pick became a contract-year breakout, performing well as a pass protector in 2023.

Moving on from longtime starters Taylor Lewan, Ben Jones and Nate Davis, the Titans attempted to fill out their O-line with midlevel contracts in 2023. Jones had started at center for seven seasons in Tennessee; the Titans shifted Aaron Brewer into the pivot role to replace him. Although Pro Football Focus graded Brewer as the No. 11 overall center last season, the team will spend to make a hopeful upgrade.

ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric slotted Cushenberry 11th among interior O-linemen last season. The Broncos had not seen the LSU alum fortify their center spot in previous years, though he did display durability. Cushenberry, 26, did not come off the field during the 2020 and ’21 seasons. After a groin injury sidelined him for half the 2022 slate, he returned to start 17 games for the Broncos last season.

Tennessee came into free agency with no notable payments along its offensive line, potentially pointing to another move coming for a team in the top five in cap space. The Titans view guard as Peter Skoronski‘s best position, and Daniel Brunskill is signed for the 2024 season. This points to Tennessee’s other O-line moves coming at tackle, where injuries ransacked the team last year. The Titans are moving on from attempted LT solution Andre Dillard, whom they benched last season.

Titans To Sign CB Chidobe Awuzie

March 11th, 2024 at 4:28pm CST by Ben Levine

Chidobe Awuzie will follow Brian Callahan from Cincinnati to Tennessee. The veteran corner has agreed to a three-year deal with the Titans, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

After Awuzie served as a vital presence in Cincinnati during its Super Bowl LVI run, the Bengals saw this contract deliver diminishing returns over the following two years. A Halloween 2022 ACL tear threw Awuzie off track, and after he returned in time for Week 1 in 2023, Lou Anarumo benched the former second-rounder around midseason.

The 6-foot defender received a second chance down the stretch and fared better. Awuzie played at least 97% of the Bengals’ defensive snaps in five of six games from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. Still, with the Bengals having drafted two outside CBs early in the past two drafts (Cam Taylor-Britt, DJ Turner), it was clear his future wasn’t in Cincy.

As Callahan looks to fill out his first Titans squad, the former Bengals OC was surely looking for some reinforcement at cornerback. Kristian Fulton isn’t expected to be back in Tennesee next season while Sean Murphy-Bunting left to join the Cardinals.

The Titans can hang their hat on Pro Football Focus grading Awuzie 14th in 2021 and 33rd prior to his ACL tear. He’ll also be nearly two years removed from the injury next season, reducing any health concerns.

Titans To Sign RB Tony Pollard

March 11th, 2024 at 11:49am CST by Adam La Rose

Running back dominos continue to fall early in the negotiating window. Tony Pollard is expected to join the Titans, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports.

Pollard will receive $24MM on a three-year pact, ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds. That marks a notable multi-year investment for Pollard, albeit one averaging less money per season than the franchise tag he played on last year. Of course, this move represents yet another indication that franchise icon Derrick Henry will not be back.

The Cowboys were interested in a re-up for Pollard. The Giants and Vikings were also suitors for the 26-year-old, Dianna Russini of the Athletic reports. She notes Pollard took a larger offer to head to Tennessee, something which is notable given a recent report indicating he was prepared to take less on a new Dallas accord.

Pollard was one of three running backs who played on the franchise tag last year. Like Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs, he delivered an underwhelming performance in 2023. The former fourth-rounder reached 1,000 rushing yards for the second straight season, but he did so while averaging 1.2 fewer yards per carry than the year before. That low-mark in efficiency came about while logging 252 carries, by far the most of his five-year Dallas tenure.

The Cowboys aimed to make Pollard a feature back by releasing Ezekiel Elliott last offseason. The former struggled in that role considering his drop in efficiency. With Tennessee, Pollard will still remain atop the RB depth chart, one featuring a major vacancy with Henry no longer in place. However, he will be joined by 2023 third-rounder Tyjae Spears, who impressed in a quasi-committee setup with Henry last year.

The ground game will look much different in 2024 in Nashville with Pollard in place and new head coach Brian Callahan operating the offense. The team has moved quickly in securing a Henry replacement, though; Dallas will now be a team to watch as a team in need of a starting back.

Suitors Emerging For Chiefs’ L’Jarius Sneed

March 10th, 2024 at 9:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

MARCH 10: Add the Dolphins to the list of Sneed interested parties. Miami is not in good cap shape and may well lose both Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt in free agency. But with the team cutting Xavien Howard, cornerback help will be sought. The Dolphins are believed to have looked into the prospect of acquiring Sneed, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes.

MARCH 6: As expected, the Chiefs were among the teams which applied the franchise tag before Tuesday’s deadline, keeping L’Jarius Sneed off the free agent market in the process. The standout corner is far from certain to remain in Kansas City, though, as a tag-and-trade maneuver is on the table.

Sneed has served as a full-time starter for nearly his entire Chiefs tenure (70 regular and postseason games), developing into a key member of the team’s vaunted secondary. The tag will cost $19.8MM in 2024, though, using up significant cap space on a team already needing a new deal for Chris Jones. The latter is the defending champions’ priority, and a re-up will not come cheaply. A long-term Sneed pact could also approach or reach the $20MM-per-year-mark his one-year tender is valued at.

Knowing Sneed could very well be on the trade block, Tyler Dragon of USA Today Sports reports seven teams have emerged as interested suitors. That list consists of the Vikings, Colts, Titans, Patriots, Lions, Falcons and Jaguars. Many of those teams are among those set to have the most spending power ahead of free agency and therefore the ones most capable of absorbing Sneed’s cap hit as it stands while working out a lucrative long-term deal.

Of course, teams like Minnesota, Indianapolis and Jacksonville could see sizable changes to their cap situations in the near future. The Vikings have two of the top pending free agents in Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter, and meeting the stated objective of retaining both will use up much of their cap space. The Colts and Jags, meanwhile, used the franchise tag on wideout Michael Pittman Jr. and edge rusher Josh Allen yesterday; long-term deals with either could lower their 2024 cap figures and free up room for an aggressive Sneed pursuit.

The Falcons – presumed to be a strong Cousins suitor – will likely wait until their quarterback addition has been made before authorizing a costly move (in terms of draft capital and finances) like a Sneed acquisition. New England and Tennessee rank second and third in respective cap space as things stand, meaning those teams could outbid other suitors and immediately make a deal for the 27-year-old a priority. Detroit reportedly has cornerback at or near the top of the organization’s offseason to-do list, so a Sneed trade would come as little surprise.

With respect to compensation, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer predicts a second-round pick could be required to convince the Chiefs to green-light a trade. Losing an effective contributor will no doubt induce Kansas City to generate as many bidders as possible and land better draft capital than what a 2025 free agent departure would yield (a third-round compensatory pick the following year). With free agency one week away, it will be interesting to see how much of a market develops for Sneed if the Chiefs move forward with exploring a trade.

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