What is going on in Tennessee?
As Ran Carthon settles into his new role as GM, recent reports and releases imply a rebuild rather than a reload for the Tennessee Titans.
Following the release of GM Jon Robinson in early December, the Tennessee Titans organisation took a little while to announce his replacement. Ran Carthon, highly respected and previously of San Francisco, was unveiled as the new GM in the latter half of January.
Credited with shaping the present 49ers outfit, Carthon was recruited for not only his leadership and people skills, but also player and prospect evaluation skills. He previously oversaw pro personnel with the Rams and was a former scout in Atlanta.
Initial thinking was that Carthon would look to renovate in Tennessee, rather than reconstruct. But as we head towards free agency and the draft, most signs are pointing towards a total rebuild. Over the course of the last few days, some expensive veterans have been released and the news of Derrick Henry being up for trade is exasperating this notion of a rebuild at a quickening pace.
Leaving Tennessee – Who’s out for the Titans?
The first major offseason movement emerging from Tennessee was the release of fan-favourite Taylor Lewan. The 31-year-old offensive tackle was officially let go on 22 February with a failed physical designation. His cut had been anticipated, not least by Lewan himself, who broke the news via his Bussin’ with the Boys podcast.
That same day, the Titans also cut wide receiver and onetime LA Ram Robert Woods, kicker Randy Bullock, and then later linebacker Zach Cunningham. It was less than a day later when the first murmurs of Derrick Henry being on the market began to surface.
Titans fans began to contemplate, but nothing more substantial came of it – that was until the latter stages of this year’s NFL Scouting Combine when articles surfaced of Henry ‘being shopped’.
Needless to say, a Henry departure would be major news. The 29-year-old former Alabama star is intrinsically linked with the modern identity of the Titans. So much so, it’s difficult to imagine Henry playing elsewhere, although there are a host of possible new teams he could end up playing for. The Titans would be a changed outfit without King Henry and, if such reports transpire to be factual, then it’s a strong indication that Carthon is certainly rebuilding.
New RB, new QB?
As well as Henry, what happens next with QB Ryan Tannehill could also be as equally revealing. Changes at this position may also be afoot and offGrid NFL has already speculated about the QB situation in Tennessee.
Tannehill had previously been linked to the New York Jets, along with former Raiders QB Derek Carr. Having now signed a 4-year deal with New Orleans, the option for the Jets to sign Carr is no more.
Carr heading to the Saints now makes Tannehill a more lucrative option for the Jets, and in turn that could mean Tennessee accumulating more picks. Having such additional picks to trade – and any from a potential Henry deal – could help Vrabel and Carthon swap up for CJ Stroud, one of their considered first-round targets.
Elsewhere, linebacker Bud Dupree is also expected to be released by the Titans. The former Steelers edge rusher never lived up to the hopes of the $82.5m contract he signed in 2021. Cutting him now will save $9.35 million on the salary cap, with $10.85 million remaining in dead money.
Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons is set to be a free agent after the coming season. Contract extensions were underway, with Simmons expressing his desire to stay in Tennessee. That he has unfollowed Titans accounts on social media, and then subsequently deleted his own accounts, in recent days has fans pondering whether this is a negotiation tactic of if there is other drama at play.
In Ran we trust
How these potential trades and releases work out remain to be seen. Whilst there may be some stings involved along the way for Titans fans, it’s evident that Carthon is strategic in his approach and bold in his philosophy.
As more teams concentrate on throwing the ball, the focus on (and building around) a star RB and running the ball as a rule – a criticism regularly aimed at former OC Todd Downing last year – begins to shift. So too does the necessity for better analytics, with Carthon having brought in Chad Brinker from the Packers as his assistant to utilise his experience in scouting college talent and harness his analytical mind.
As with everything in the offseason, spells of gossip and supposition emerge from nowhere and are then followed by expected and unexpected flurries of activity. Either way, a Henry trade above all else would signal a definite overhaul in Tennessee.
