Music City Movements Part Two – Lamar Jackson a Titan?  

Following the first week of free agency activity, speculation now turns to whether the Tennessee Titans will attempt to trade for QB Lamar Jackson.  

In January, Lamar Jackson rejected a new contract from Baltimore which reportedly offered a guaranteed $133 million. He now currently finds himself as a free agent with the non-exclusive franchise tag and earlier this month formally requested to be traded. Where Jackson lands next has fans speculating, particularly amongst Titans fans debating if the former league MVP would be a good fit in Nashville.

The general position of fans and analysts alike comes down to two core questions – firstly, does Jackson offer a better chance of the Titans winning a Super Bowl than their existing option(s)? And secondly, at what expense to the organisation? 

Would Lamar win the Titans a Super Bowl?

Jackson is certainly an elite quarterback, but how effective he would be for Tennessee would hang on the passing arsenal available to him.

At the moment, the Titans lack depth at the wide receiver position and need to address the issue over the coming weeks and months. As offGrid NFL has reported, this offseason has been a down year for receivers which in turn is resulting in even more inactivity across the market. DeAndre Hopkins has come up in recent rumour as a possible target for the Titans, along with WRs Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Josh Downs and Demario Douglas as potential draft picks. 

Whether the two-time Pro Bowler represents a better option than current QB Ryan Tannehill is splitting opinion. Statistically, last season Tannehill threw for 2,536 yards and Jackson for 2,242, with Tannehill having a passer rating of 94.6 and Jackson of 91.1, although both men only played 12 games each due to injury.

The main contrast between Tannehill and Jackson is Jackson’s rushing stats. Lamar has the fifth-most rushing yards by a quarterback in NFL history and in 2019 set a record for most rushing yards by a QB in a season with 1,206. Jackson at QB with Derrick Henry at RB could be an explosive combination and an unmatched nightmare for any defense.

Can the Titans afford Lamar?

Cost would be a major factor if the Titans were contemplating trying to secure Lamar’s services. The Titans currently have $7.1 million in cap space, with draft signings still to come. Management would therefore need to be creative (and consequently all in) in order to attempt to sign the former first round pick to a low cap hit in his first year, with bigger sums to follow in future years when they have considerably more manoeuvrability.

Likewise, the Titans would need to give up two first-round picks which they need. Such deals are never without risk, and in this instance Jackson’s past injuries could provide unease.

The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner missed the final five games of last season’s campaign owing to a sprained PCL in early December. If the Ravens are cautious about this fact, then a Titans franchise watching the purse strings during a retooling will certainly need to be too.  

Overall, fans at this time remain divided at the prospect of Florida-born Jackson coming to Nashville. At time of writing, a USA Today poll which asked whether the Titans should pursue Jackson has produced some fairly evenly split results: ‘Yes, at any cost’ (~35%); ‘No, not at all’ (~35%); and ‘Depends on the guaranteed money’ (~30%).

The Titans are not Super Bowl contenders this upcoming season, but as they continue to retool their longer-term strategy will build around a younger QB. Jackson is eight years younger than Tannehill. A long-term Jackson deal would also mean, injuries aside, that Malik Willis remains benched for the foreseeable.

The Titans may still yet attempt to acquire a QB in the draft too. Tannehill remains favourite to be leading the offense in September though, although a guarded Mike Vrabel offered no commitment to him or any player when asked recently.

Roster updates

At last weekend’s NFL Owners meetings, GM Ran Carthon gave an interesting interview. In it, he clarified that Kevin Byard has not made any request for a release and would “love for him to continue his career as a Titan”. Earlier reports have implied Byard had been asked to take a pay cut.

Question marks still swirl over the situation with Jeffery Simmons and his ongoing contract negotiations. In the same interview however, Carthon suggested there was no issue with the defensive lineman. He also referred to reports of a Henry trade as being “erroneous”, to much relief among fans.

Other movements

Since offGrid NFL last reported, there have been no new signings in Tennessee, although Morgan Cox (LS) and Naquan Jones (DT) have both been re-signed. Some former Titans free agents have now found new homes, chief among them is QB Joshua Dobbs.  

Joshua Dobbs

Just 92 days after his signing, and after two starts for Tennessee, Dobbs has signed with the Cleveland Browns. Whilst with the Titans, Dobbs completed 40 for 411 yards and passed for 2 touchdowns in the final two games of the 2022 season – defeats to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 and eventual divisional champs the Jacksonville Jaguars in the final week.

Before a short stint with the Detroit Lions practice squad last year, Dobbs had previously been in Cleveland. With Jacoby Brissett now with the Washington Commanders, Dobbs will serve as back up there to QB Deshaun Watson.

Other departures

After one year in Tennessee, Tight End Austin Hooper has signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. Hooper appeared in all 17 games of the Titans 2022 season, with 41 receptions for 444 yards. A former two-time Pro Bowler, Hooper will replace the outgoing Darren Waller who has joined the New York Giants.

Dennis Daley (OT) has signed with the Arizona Cardinals. Daley started for the Titans in the absence of Taylor Lewan. Alongside Dennis Daley, defensive lineman Kevin Strong also moves west to become an Arizona Cardinal.

Elsewhere, Lonnie Johnson Jr (DB) has moved to the Saints. Johnson was the 54th pick in the 2019 draft by the Texans, who was mainly used in special plays in Tennessee.

Dylan Cole (LB) has signed a one-year deal with the Bears, where he’ll join recent signings and former Titans Nate Davis and Demarcus Walker.

Le’Raven Clark (OT) heads to the Pittsburgh Steelers where the 29-year-old will add some depth.