With their rebuild underway, the Tennessee Titans are one of the more intriguing teams to monitor this NFL offseason. We don’t know whether new head coach Brian Callahan is sold on quarterback Will Levis, nor do we know whether general manager Ran Carthon will build to compete in 2024 or with an eye to the future.
The Titans have over two dozen players set to hit the open market in March. Which free agents could they look to re-sign?
Who Are the Tennessee Titans’ 2024 Free Agents?
RB Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry, who turned 30 last month, saw his lowest snap-count percentage (53%) since 2018, as the Titans wisely managed the star running back’s workload. Yet, Henry still led the league with 280 rushing attempts while ranking second in yards (1,167) and tied for seventh in touchdowns (12).
These days, teams are wary of paying a running back in his mid-20s, let alone a 30-year-old who’s led the NFL in touches in four of the last five seasons. And though Henry is undeniably unique, he could fall off the proverbial NFL cliff at any moment.
Henry is the face of the franchise, and the Titans would be a better team in 2024 with him on the roster. But 2023 third-rounder Tyjae Spears impressed last season as a rookie, and Tennessee could find an affordable veteran in free agency if it isn’t sold on the 5-foot-10 Spears as an every-down option.
Either way, it’s probably time for Henry’s run in Tennessee to end. Plus, the writing might be on the wall.
“When that time comes, we’ll evaluate and see what makes sense,” Henry said last month, via John Glennon of the Nashville Post. “I ain’t getting no younger. I want a ring. I want to win the Super Bowl.
“I’m in Year 8 now, so the Super Bowl is definitely my next goal. That’s what I want to get. So however that comes, and however I have to evaluate to be able to get close to that, that’s what I’ll do.”
If winning a title truly is Henry’s primary goal, he probably will need to leave the Titans to accomplish it.
QB Ryan Tannehill
The veteran quarterback likely will be playing elsewhere in 2024. Ryan Tannehill admitted as much after leading the Titans to a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in their season finale.
“It was a fun day,” the veteran QB said, via Buck Reising of AtoZ Sports Nashville. “It was a fun day for a lot of different reasons, but to be able to finish the season out, finish my time out here with a win, was a lot of fun and felt really good.”
Tannehill experienced highs and lows over the last five seasons in Tennessee, but overall, his Titans career should be viewed as a success. Following his uninspiring stint with the Miami Dolphins, few could’ve projected Tannehill to go 39-24 with Tennessee while winning a pair of playoff games.
But 35 years old is what he is at this point — a backup who should only start in emergency situations.
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
In 2023, Azeez Al-Shaair was worth far more than the one-year, $5 million deal he signed last offseason. The 26-year-old LB led the Titans with 163 combined tackles; Jack Gibbens ranked second with 95.
Al-Shaair also posted six QB hits, two sacks, and nine tackles for a loss while seeing 96% of the defensive snaps.
No, he isn’t an electric pass rusher, and it would be a stretch to label Al-Shaair a franchise linebacker. But he’s a good player, and the Titans should look to bring him back on a long-term deal.
However, Al-Shaair’s play last season could result in a free agent contract too rich for the Titans’ liking. It’s fair to wonder whether he’s priced himself out of Tennessee.
EDGE Denico Autry
Denico Autry, who’ll turn 34 in July, is probably looking at his last chance for a big payday. And he’s earned it after posting 28.5 sacks over the last three seasons, including 11.5 in 2023.
Every NFL team wants production on the edge, and Autry is one of the top pass rushers set to hit free agency. He’ll land a decent contract, but will it be from the Titans?
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Free Agent Rankings
Rebuilding teams normally would hesitate to overpay for aging defensive linemen. But Autry proved to be a great fit in Tennessee, and Callahan can’t afford to let too many locker-room leaders leave this offseason.
Other Titans 2024 Free Agents
- RB Jonathan Ward
- WR Chris Moore
- WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
- TE Kevin Rader
- TE Trevon Wesco
- OT Chris Hubbard
- G Calvin Throckmorton
- C Aaron Brewer
- C Corey Levin
- EDGE Trevis Gipson
- DT Ross Blacklock (restricted free agent)
- DT Jaleel Johnson
- DT Kyle Peko
- LB Joe Jones
- CB Kristian Fulton
- CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
- S Terrell Edmunds
- S K’Von Wallace
- K Nick Folk
- LS Morgan Cox
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!
