The Titans 2022 season comes to an end after a 20-16 loss to division rival Jacksonville Jaguars. The loss gave the Titans a 7-10 record and ended their season on a 7-game losing streak. The 2022 season can be summed up as a season full of injuries and inconsistencies. The Titans now have back-to-back record setting amount of players fielded due to injuries with 86 this year and 91 last season. Inconsistencies with players and coaching primarily on the offensive line and offensive staff were a big part of the 7-game losing streak to end the season.
On January 19, 2023, two days after the Titans loss to the Jaguars, the Titans fired offensive coordinator Todd Downing, offensive line coach Keith Carter, secondary coach Anthony Midget and offensive skills assistant Erik Frazier.
So going into the 2023 offseason, many questions surround the organization. Who will be the next GM? Who will the Titans select with the 11th overall pick? Who will replace former offensive coordinator Todd Downing?
As we wait for the answers to the questions above, we will keep track off all of the Tennessee Titans moves below for 104-5 The Zone’s 2023 Offseason Primer and Tracker. This page will be continuously updated as the offseason rolls on.
GM Candidates
On December 6, 2022, Amy Adams Strunk fired general manager Jon Robinson after 6.5 seasons. Even though the Titans never had a losing season under Robinson and despite being 7-5 at the time of the firing, Amy Adams Strunk decided it was time to move on. In response to Robinson’s firing, the Titans appointed VP of player personnel Ryan Cowden to lead player personnel for the remainder of the season.
Amy Adams Strunk and the Tennessee Titans announced their interest in general manager candidates Adam Peters, Ran Carthon, Glenn Cook, Ian Cunningham, Malik Boyd, and Quentin Harris as well as internal candidates Interim GM and VP of Player Personnel Ryan Cowden and Director of Player Personnel Monti Ossenfort.
Adam Peters is currently the San Francisco 49ers assistant GM and is considered to be one of the top GM candidates in the NFL. Ran Carthon, who is also with the 49ers, is their director of player personnel.
Glen Cook is currently the Cleveland Browns assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel after being promoted from vice president of player personnel following the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Ian Cunningham is also considered one of the top GM candidates as the Chicago Bears assistant general manager. Cunningham has also spent time under Ozzie Newsome in the Baltimore Ravens organization as well as under Howie Roseman with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Malik Boyd is the Buffalo Bills Senior Director of Pro Scouting and is in his 20th season in the NFL. Boyd was promoted to the role of Senior Director of Pro Scouting with the Bills after the 2020 season.
Quentin Harris just completed his 15th season in the Arizona Cardinals’ scouting department and second as Vice President, Player Personnel after being promoted last February.
GM Candidate Tracker
Ryan Cowden (Titans) – Interviewed on 1/12/23
Monti Ossenfort (Titans) – Interviewed on 1/12/23 – Accepted Arizona Cardinals GM Opening on 1/16/23
Adam Peters (49ers) – Declined Interview on 1/11/23
Ran Carthron (49ers) – Interviewed on 1/13/23 – Hired as Titans GM on 1/18/23
Glenn Cook (Browns) – Interviewed on 1/13/23
Ian Cunningham (Bears) – Interviewed on 1/14/23
Quentin Harris (Cardinals) – Interviewed on 1/14/23
Malik Boyd (Bills) – Interviewed on 1/17/23
UPDATE (1/18/23): The Tennessee Titans have hired Ran Carthon as the franchise’s 14th General Manager. Carthon joins the Titans after spending six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, including the last two as the team’s Director of Player Personnel.
“We are excited to add Ran to our organization as our new general manager,” said Titans Controlling Owner Amy Adams Strunk. “He brings a variety of valuable experiences to our team – as a former player and a successful personnel executive for multiple teams. I was impressed with his natural leadership qualities and his ability to connect with people. With talent evaluation being critical to this role, the roster they have built in San Francisco stands out. He played an important role there constructing one of our league’s best teams.”
Coaching Searches
On January 19, 2023, two days after the Titans loss to the Jaguars, the Titans fired offensive coordinator Todd Downing, offensive line coach Keith Carter, secondary coach Anthony Midget and offensive skills assistant Erik Frazier.
As of 1/25/23, the Tennessee Titans have been linked to the following candidates for their coaching staff openings…
Offensive Coordinator: Tim Kelly (Titans) Hired by Titans as Offensive Coordinator on 2/7/2023
Eric Bieniemy (Chiefs) Hired by Washington Commanders (Offensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach)
Matt Nagy (Chiefs)
Mike LaFleur (Jets) Hired by Los Angeles Rams (Offensive Coordinator)
Bill O’Brien (Alabama) Hired by New England Patriots (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach)
Justin Outten (Broncos) Hired by Titans as Running Back/Run Game Coordinator on 2/21/2023
Charles London (Falcons) Hired by Titans as Pass Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach on 2/7/2023
Secondary Coach: Chris Harris (Commanders) Hired by Titans as Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Cornerback Coach on 2/7/2023
UPDATE (2/7/2023): The Tennessee Titans elevated Tim Kelly to Offensive Coordinator, after he joined the staff last year as the team’s Passing Game Coordinator.
Additionally, the team made several additions and changes to the coaching staff. Added to the staff are Charles London, as Pass Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks; Chris Harris, as Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks; Lori Locust, as Defensive Quality Control; and Justin Hamilton, as Defensive Quality Control. Coaches who will be changing their responsibilities include Jason Houghtaling as the Offensive Line Coach, Luke Steckel the Run Game Analyst, Pat O’Hara the Pass Game Analyst and Tony Dews as Tight Ends Coach. The team still needs to fill its Running Backs Coach position.
Kelly takes over the offense after one season as the Titans Passing Game Coordinator. Prior to joining the Titans, Kelly spent eight seasons (2014-21) with the Houston Texans in a variety of coaching roles, including Offensive Coordinator (2019-21), Tight Ends (2017-18), Assistant Offensive Line (2016) and Offensive Quality Control (2014-16).
Titans Free Agents and Potential Cap Cuts
The Tennessee Titans will have a lot of tough decisions to make during the 2023 offseason, not the least of which is what to do with the pending free agents that the team currently has. The job of retaining some of those free agents and bringing in more to improve the team may be difficult due to the fact that the Titans are projected to be $24,109,704 over the salary cap.
With that, the Titans mad tough decisions on players to get back salary cap space by releasing LT Taylor Lewan (creates $14.8M in cap space), WR Robert Woods ($12M), LB Zach Cunningham ($9.8 million), OLB Bud Dupree ($9.4M), and C Ben Jones ($3.7M)
Salary Cap Update: The NFL’s Salary Cap increased to $224.8 million in 2023, an increase of $16.6 million from the 2022 number, and a $42.3 million increase from the COVID-adjusted 2021 season. As it stands, the Titans have $2.36M in cap space.
Here is a list of the Titans soon to be free agents thanks to Spotrac.
Potential priorities to resign: LB David Long Jr., G Nate Davis, C/G Aaron Brewer (RFA), DE Demarcus Walker, DT Teair Tart (RFA), QB Joshua Dobbs (not listed above)
The Quarterback Position
The Titans have a decision to make regarding QB Ryan Tannehill, who is slated to make $27 million in 2023, with a $36 million cap hit. Should the team choose to move on from the veteran signal caller, here are a few names to consider as his replacement:
- Tom Brady (Buccaneers): Brady will turn 46 when the 2023 season begins. A free agent, he has the choice to choose another team to play for, or to retire. If he chooses to play, the connections to the Titans are obvious, with HC Mike Vrabel being a former teammate of his. UPDATE: On the morning of February 1, 2023, Tom Brady announced that he is retiring from the NFL via his social media.
- Derek Carr (Raiders): Carr will be 32 in March and is looking for a fresh start after 9 seasons with the Raiders. His cap hit for 2023 is $34 million, which is a steep number for a team like the Titans, but it is still worth monitoring. UPDATE: On 3/6/23, Carr agreed to 4-year, $150 million contract with the New Orleans Saints.
- Aaron Rodgers (Packers): Perhaps the most polarizing name on the list, the 4-time league MVP could be on his way out of Green Bay, and reports have indicated that the Packers are unlikely to trade him within the NFC should they decide to trade him, and they have also indicated that they want at least 2 1st round picks in any trade involving Rodgers. There is also the matter of his current contract, a 3 year, $150 million deal he signed in 2022 that would pay him $50 million in 2023. The Titans, as well as the Colts and Jets, are possibilities. UPDATE: On 3/15/23, Aaron Rodgers told the Pat MacAfee Show that he intends to play for the New York Jets in 2023. UPDATE: On 4/24/23, Aaron Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets. The Jets received Rodgers, the 15th and 170th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Packers received the 13th, 42nd and 207th picks in the 2023 NFL Draft along with a conditional 2024 second-round pick that becomes a first if Rodgers plays 65% of the plays this season.
- Trey Lance (49ers): The rapid emergence of 2022 7th round draft pick Brock Purdy has changed the conversation around the former 3rd overall pick in 2021. If Purdy has locked up the job long term, it could force the 49ers to consider trading Lance. With former Director of Pro Personnel Ran Carthon now the GM in Tennessee, could he pull the trigger on a move like this while knowing he has a 5th year option on his rookie contract?
- Lamar Jackson (Ravens): The question that has dominated NFL headlines all season is what will happen with the Ravens’ MVP quarterback. He is a free agent, and has reportedly asked for a fully guaranteed contract in the realm of Browns QB Deshaun Watson’s $230 million fully guaranteed contract. If the Ravens are unable to sign him to a new contract, many teams will be lining up to sign him. Could the Titans be one of those teams? UPDATE: On 4/27/23, Lamar Jackson signed a five-year, $260M contract extension in which $185M is guaranteed.
- Joshua Dobbs (Titans): The former 4th round pick out of Tennessee was signed off of the Lions’ practice squad on December 21st and made his first career start against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football just 8 days after signing with the Titans. Dobbs threw for 232 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception in that game and despite the loss, Dobbs earned the confidence of Head Coach Mike Vrabel to get a second start vs Jacksonville with the AFC South Division Title and playoff berth on the line since QB Ryan Tannehill was placed on injured reserve. Dobbs should in the quarterback conversation going forward as the Titans backup QB, but also could be in the mix should the Titans choose to move on from Ryan Tannehill. UPDATE: Dobbs signed a 1-year, $2M full guaranteed contract with the Cleveland Browns.
- Malik Willis (Titans): Willis was drafted in the 3rd round (89th overall) by the Tennessee Titans in the 2022 NFL Draft. Willis, out of Liberty, flashed his talent at the NFL Combine and Pro Day but fell to the Titans in the 3rd round. Willis won the Titans’ backup QB spot over Logan Woodside despite showing that there was much room for improvement, as is the case with all rookies. During the 2022 regular season, Willis debut in a blowout game vs the Bills to get his first regular season NFL action where he went completed one of four passing attempts for six yards and rushed for 16 yards in the 41–7 loss. On October 30th, Willis was given his first career start vs the Texans due to Ryan Tannehill missing the game with an illness. Willis completed 6 of 10 pass attempts for 55 yards and one interception in a 17–10 victory. Willis started 2 other games that ended in a loss for the Titans against the Chiefs and Texans. Further development is necessary should he want to be an NFL starter, however, if the Titans decide to move on from Ryan Tannehill this offseason, expect Willis to be in the mix of the starting QB conversation.
- Will Levis (Titans): Levis was drafted with the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Levis, a projected first-round pick had an up and down career at Kentucky. In 2021, he threw for 2,828 yard, 24 TDs and 13 INTs. In his senior campaign at Kentucky, Levis threw for 2,406 yard, 19 TDs and 10 INTs. Levis did miss time with a foot injury during his senior season. After disappointing outings from Malik Willis in 2022, the Titans are hoping they found their QB of the future in Levis.
Free Agency
The Titans have major needs to fill along the offensive line and at the wide receiver position and should look to free agency and the draft to help fill those needs. Here is a list of potential targets for the Titans:
OT:
- Orlando Brown Jr. (Chiefs) – Agreed to terms with Bengals
- Mike McGlinchey (49ers) – Agreed to terms with Broncos
- Andre Dillard (Eagles) – Agreed to sign a 3-year, $29M contract with Titans on 3/13/23
- Kaleb McGary (Falcons) – Resigned with Falcons
- Daniel Brunskill (49ers) – Agreed to a 2-year, $5.5M contract with Titans on 3/14/23
6. Andrew Wylie (Chiefs) – Agreed to terms with Commanders
7. Isaiah Wynn (Patriots)
8. Germain Ifedi (Falcons)
9. Donovan Smith (Buccaneers) – Agreed to terms with Chiefs
IOL:
- Isaac Seumalo (Eagles) – Agreed to terms with Steelers
- Dalton Risner (Broncos)
- Justin Pugh (Cardinals)
- Ben Powers (Ravens) – Agreed to terms with Broncos
5. Connor McGovern (Cowboys) – Agreed to terms with Bills
6. Garrett Bradbury (Vikings) – Resigned with Vikings
7. Will Hernandez (Cardinals) – Resigned with Cardinals
WR:
- Juju Smith-Schuster (Chiefs) – Agreed to terms with Patriots
- Allen Lazard (Packers) – Agreed to terms with Jets
- Keelan Cole (Raiders)
- Marquez Callaway (Saints) – Agreed to terms with Broncos
- Darius Slayton (Giants) – Resigned with Giants
- Greg Dortch (Cardinals) Resigned with Cardinals
7. D.J. Chark (Lions) – Agreed to terms with Panthers
8. Jakobi Myers (Patriots) – Agreed to terms with Raiders
9. Mecole Hardman (Chiefs) – Agreed to terms with Jets
10. Paris Campbell (Colts) – Agreed to terms with Giants
OLB:
- Melvin Ingram (Dolphins) – Resigned with Dolphins
- Lorenzo Carter (Falcons) – Resigned with Falcons
3. Arden Key (Jaguars) – Agreed to sign a 3-year, $21M contract with Titans on 3/14/23
ILB:
- Deion Jones (Browns) – Agreed to terms with Falcons
- Devin Bush (Steelers) – Agreed to terms with Seahawks
- Tremaine Edmunds (Bills) – Agreed to terms with Bears
- Alex Anzalone (Lions) – Resigned with Lions
- Denzel Perryman (Raiders) – Agreed to terms with Texans
- Jayon Brown (Raiders)
- Lavonte David (Buccaneers) – Resigned with Buccaneers
8. Azeez Al-Shaair (49ers) – Agreed to a 1-year, $5M contract with Titans on 3/14/23
9. Luke Gifford (Cowboys) – Agreed to a 2-year, $4M contract with Titans on 3/13/23
2023 NFL Draft
The Tennessee Titans had the 11th selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, their highest slot since selecting Corey Davis with the 5th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. The Titans selected offensive players with all six of their picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
OL – Peter Skoronski, Northwestern – 11th overall
QB – Will Levis, Kentucky – 33rd overall
RB – Tyjae Spears, Tulane – 81st overall
TE – Josh Whyle, Cincinnati – 147th overall
OL – Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland – 186th overall
WR – Colton Dowell, UT-Martin – 228th overall
Tennessee Titans 2023 Home and Away Schedule
Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals
Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFL London Style
The Tennessee Titans will be one of a handful of teams slotted to play in the NFL’s International Series in 2023. The Titans will host the Baltimore Ravens on October 15, 2023. The Titans will forfeit the extra home game on their schedule to play across the Atlantic Ocean. The game will be played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in London, UK, the first stadium outside of the United States to be designed for American Football. Kickoff is schedule for 8:30am CT.
The Titans played in London during the 2018 season. They fell to the Chargers 20-19 at Wembley Stadium.
Titans Off-Season Troubles
On June 29th the NFL announced that Titans RT Nicholas Petite-Frere would be suspended for the first six-games on the season for violating the NFL Gambling policy. Petit-Frere issued a statement later that day that said “The betting I engaged in was NOT NFL related and was legal under Tennessee law. It is only being sanctioned because it occurred at the Titans facility.”
On June 30th Titans’ running back Hassan Haskins was arrested and charged with aggravated assault by strangulation. The Titans released a statement saying they were aware of the situation and were working to gather more information.
