2026 NFL offseason preview: Tennessee Titans have key piece in Cam Ward, and now must develop him

4 days ago 2

The NFL offseason has begun, and Yahoo Sports is previewing the coming months for all 32 teams, from free agency through the draft and more.

Tennessee Titans

2025 season record: 3-14 (u 5.5 wins), fourth in AFC South, missed playoffs, 29th in DVOA

Overview

The Titans had hope after drafting QB Cam Ward with the first overall draft pick in 2025, but things never completely came together. Ward flashed, but a lack of talent, especially at receiver, kept Tennessee’s offense from finding its stride. Head coach Brian Callahan was fired after Week 6 with a 1-5 record, 3-14 overall in two seasons with the Titans.

Heading into the season, there was some thought that a solid offensive line could help insulate Ward from some of the pitfalls seen by some previous first overall picks at quarterback. That theory never turned into reality. Ward had the 10th-highest pressure rate and ranked 36th among 37 qualified quarterbacks in EPA per dropback under pressure. Ward also faced the most difficult schedule of defenses by DVOA and no quarterback had more dropbacks against defenses in the top 10 of defensive DVOA on the season.

Now, Tennessee will search for the next head coach in an attempt to get the most out of Ward and build up a roster that has a young offense while featuring one of the oldest defenses in the league by snap-weighted age.

Cap/cuts outlook

The Titans are projected to have more than $108 million in salary cap space, the second-most in the league, according to Over The Cap. Tennessee could save almost $14 million by moving on from Calvin Ridley and $12 million from cutting L’Jarius Sneed, two big swings from the previous regime, which could give the team the most cap space in the league. This could be about as blank a slate as the Titans would like under general manager Mike Borgonzi and a new head coach.

If both Ridley and Sneed are released, it would leave just Jeffery Simmons, Lloyd Cushenberry III (another potential cut), Dan Moore Jr., Amani Hooker and Cam Ward as players with a 2026 cap hit of $10 million or more.

Key pending free agents

OG Kevin Zeitler
LB Arden Key
DT Sebastian Joseph-Day
WR Van Jefferson
TE Chig Okonkwo
LB Jihad Ward
CB Jalyn Armour-Davis

Part of why the Titans have so much potential cap space is that they have several 2025 contributors heading into free agency. While they played bigger roles for the Titans, that does not necessarily mean they will be impossible to replace, especially on defense, where it’s easier to find starting-caliber players in free agency. The one to watch will be Okonkwo, if he’s seen as the type of tight end who could work in a new offense, since he has failed to reach the promise shown in bits during his rookie season.

Positional needs

Wide receiver
Offensive line
Cornerback

Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor showed potential to fill important roles as rookies, but neither should be a lead target in a functional offense. Ridley was expected to be the lead receiver, but that vision was never fully realized due to injuries and inconsistency.

The only offensive lineman the Titans should feel good about heading into 2026 is Peter Skoronski, who played at an All-Pro level at guard. Dan Moore Jr. and JC Latham had two of the highest blown block rates among tackles, according to Sports Info Solutions. However, Tennessee proved how expensive trying to upgrade an offensive line in free agency can be with Moore’s four-year, $82 million signing. Money does not guarantee results.

No team gave up more EPA per dropback to players lined up out wide than the Titans. With Sneed likely cut and Jalyn Armour-Davis a pending free agent, Tennessee’s top two outside corners appear headed out the door.

2026 NFL Draft picks

1st round, pick No. 4
2nd round
3rd round
4th round
5th round
5th round (NYJ)
6th round
7th round (LAC)

Good draft fit

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The Titans need a potential No. 1 wide receiver for promising QB Cam Ward. Tyson was a star for Arizona State the past two years and has the physical traits to be a big-play machine in the NFL. His receiving numbers were down this past sesaon, but that’s only because of injuries and poor play at quarterback. With Calvin Ridley possibly getting cut, the Titans desperately need to add a big-time playmaker here.

What could move the fantasy needle in 2026?

Support for Cam Ward

Cam Ward ranked 35th out of 35 qualifying quarterbacks in EPA per dropback and success rate this season. However, we can all use our brains and apply some context to the situation and realize he wasn’t set up for any level of success with a lame-duck, play-calling head coach who was fired early in the season, and no quality experienced pass-catchers for most of the year. The Titans’ front office needs to nail the head coaching hire, which best facilitates growth for the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft first and foremost. The rest of the roster needs refreshing on offense, too. I wouldn’t write in anyone as a starter in 2026 who played a role at running back, wide receiver or tight end from 2025. If those guys compete in camp and win jobs, great. Just aim for more depth with upside overall. — Matt Harmon

Betting nugget

After a historically bad 2-15 mark against the spread in 2024, Cam Ward at least helped Tennessee go a more respectable 7-9-1 ATS this season. The Titans were also tied with several teams as the second-best team (11-6) to the over this season. — Ben Fawkes

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