Music City Movements: Free agency & change for the Titans

With the first week of free agency in the books, the Tennessee Titans have made some intriguing signings and surprise releases, but there is no sign (yet) of a blockbuster acquisition.

While all eyes were previously on the quarterback position, it’s currently the defense that will look the most different in 2023.

Departures

Prior to free agency commencing, there had been earlier developments in Nashville, with the Titans releasing Taylor Lewan, Robert Woods, Zach Cunningham and Ben Jones. As free agency got underway, more names were added to the release list: Nate Davis (RG), David Long Jr (LB) and Demarcus Walker (DE).

Nate Davis was drafted in 2019 alongside AJ Brown, Jeffery Simmons and David Long Jr. Davis was reliable for the Titans, but there were unsubstantiated accounts that Coach Mike Vrabel didn’t favour him. Either way, Davis is now with the Chicago Bears, signing a three-year deal worth $30million.

Demarcus Walker also joins Davis at the Bears, having spent just one (and his career best) year in Tennessee. Walker recorded seven sacks across all 17 games last season and his deal with the Bears is worth $7 million over two years.

Long Jr is heading to Miami after four seasons and with 223 career tackles under his belt. Long was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2018, ahead of his sixth-round drafting in 2019. His high-energy could prove to be imperative for the Dolphins as they seek to oust the Bills from the top of the AFC East.

The Titans have also waived Bud Dupree. Previous ACL injury woes and clocking only seven sacks in two years made Dupree a likely victim of the evolving landscape in Tennessee (he had also been due the second-highest salary cap). If he can demonstrate that his injuries are fully behind him, insiders hint that he may be moving back to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Arrivals: Offense

Andre Dillard, OT

Dillard was the first player to be signed during FA. Dillard spent four seasons with the Eagles, who drafted him 22nd in the first round of the 2019 draft. Two of his four seasons in Philadelphia saw him side-lined and therefore total just nine overall career starts.

Daniel Brunskill, Guard

Joining from the 49ers, Brunskill has previously played guard, tackle and center. He never allowed a sack in 17 starts for San Francisco at right guard and will add depth for the Titans along a depleted offensive line. Brunskill joins on a two-year deal.

Arrivals: Defense

Arden Key, LB

Formerly of the Jaguars, 26-year-old Key has been described as a “valuable piece” to the Titans edge rush. The Titans offense will be familiar with Key, who totalled seven pressures against them in the “winner take all” battle for the AFC South that closed out last season. Key had earlier played in San Francisco where he was with new Titans GM Ran Carthon and joins after a standout year in Jacksonville.

Azeez Al-Shaair, LB

Al-Shaair joins the Titans on a one-year deal to firm up the LB position after the exits of Long and Cunningham. Another former 49ers player (bringing the tally to three), Al-Shaair will start for the Titans, something frequently denied to him in San Francisco due to injuries, the competitiveness of their starting line-up and general setup. Fans and analysts alike are excited by this signing, who could end up being explosive when it matters.

Bringing in three players who Carthon worked with at San Francisco should be seen as indicative of his belief in them both then and going forward.

Luke Gifford, LB

The former Cowboy LB has signed a two-year contract, having led Dallas in special teams tackles last season. Like the other new recruitments, Gifford is viewed as a player who’s impressive, albeit limited time on the field, is ready for that next phase in his career.

Sean Murphy-Bunting, CB

As the weekend closed out, reports emerged that Sean Murphy-Bunting, formerly of the Buccaneers, is due to meet with the Titans. If the meeting goes well, the former Central Michigan player is anticipated to sign and would promptly add more stability, depth and a veteran presence.

After a dislocated elbow last September, Murphy-Bunting has missed game time, but can be a genuine game changer – in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl playoff run two years ago, he impressively clocked an interception in each of his first three career playoff games.

Other developments

Kevin Byard

Reports suggest safety Kevin Byard has been requested to take a pay cut. He hasn’t formally responded or asked for a release, and as details surface, it sounds like things may be at stalemate. In 2022, Byard totalled over 100 tackles for the second time in his career and four interceptions. Having never missed a game in his career, Byard would undoubtedly be a loss for Tennessee and one which fans are being vocal about.

Jeffery Simmons

Concern surrounding Jeffery Simmons and his contract discussions seem to have cooled. The jigsaw Carthon is re-piecing still has a way to go, but the broader acceptance is that Simmons is stopping and will lead the revamped defense.

Defensive tackles Teair Tart and Naquan Jones, alongside Aaron Brewer (OL), have all been placed on tenders. Jones with the exclusive rights.

There have been no additions at wide receiver yet. After testing the market, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine re-signed, although after being tendered and then brought back for less denotes he won’t be among the Titans first-choices. There are a number of free agents right now who would fit in at Tennessee, but the absence of any signings, yet alone firm rumours to speculate from, so far has some concerned.

An incoming Raven?

Free agency brings with it not just rumours and theories, but also false hopes. The QB situation in Tennessee has provided much debate and theorising, and whilst the Titans may try and obtain a QB in the draft, Tannehill looks set to stay. Still, with Lamar Jackson’s uncertainty with the Ravens, fans have begun to wonder whether the former league MVP could be what the Titans need.

There has been no news from Lamar on his future yet – although there is talk of an impending “one-man interview” with himself where things may become a little clearer. Whether Lamar presents value for money is open to examination – the Titans would need to be creative with cap space if they did indeed make an effort to snatch him. Whether a realistic scenario or fantasy theory, a Titans offense comprised of Jackson and Derrick Henry would be formidable.

An emerging strategy so far

Carthon has a challenging job ahead, building a dynamic team for next season and for the future, whilst not only managing the salary cap effectively, but trying to circumnavigate the impact of dead money.

Where younger players have been brought in, they overall offer flashes of speed and athleticism that were hitherto absent from the team. Nevertheless, the widely held standpoint is that the mass of new players are here, in the first instance, for an upcoming period of transition. That period however could prove to be equally advantageous – the Titans are backfilling where they must and are taking fairly low-risks. In turn, these new players who have had limited chances to shine have real opportunities to step up and take their respective careers to the next level.

Nobody is expecting immediate results, but what happens next with Byard, and at WR and QB, could accelerate or exasperate fan expectations for next season.