The Tennessee Titans’ 2024 NFL season was bad enough that a 3-14 record saw them finish at the bottom of the standings and earn the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. With a new general manager in place and major holes to fill, Tennessee now gets set for a pivotal offseason that could define the franchise’s future for years to come.
Most teams in the Titans’ position would waste no time selecting a franchise quarterback with the top pick. However, reports suggest that Tennessee may take a different approach, one that involves trading down, acquiring additional assets, and bringing in a veteran QB.
ESPN Analyst Predicts Tennessee Titans Making a Trade Down
According to ESPN’s Seth Walder, the Titans could strike a deal with the New York Giants, moving down from No. 1 while still landing a young quarterback later in the draft. In his hypothetical scenario, Tennessee would sign Jacoby Brissett as a veteran bridge starter for 2025.
“In this scenario, Brissett again takes on the role of a bridge quarterback who could mentor a young signal-caller. I think the Titans, who have a new general manager and thus have time on their side, will trade down with the Giants and select a quarterback either at the tail end of the first round or on Day 2. But the well-respected Brissett starts in Week 1 for Tennessee.”
This would be a significant shift from the much more likely move of taking a potential cornerstone player first overall. But given Tennessee’s long list of needs — including quarterback, wide receiver, and edge rusher — the strategy could allow the Titans to spread out their draft capital more while still getting their future at the game’s most important position.
Will Levis’ Struggles Have Forced Titans To Make Change at QB
Regardless of Tennessee’s draft strategy, one thing is clear: Will Levis’ time as the unquestioned starter is likely over.
According to PFSN’s QB+ metrics, Levis ranked 34th last season with a 61.9 rating (D-), one of the lowest marks in the NFL.
After struggling as a rookie, many expected Levis to take a step forward in Year 2. Instead, his play regressed, raising serious concerns about his long-term viability as an NFL starter. With the Titans holding the No. 1 pick, it’s almost certain they’ll be adding a new quarterback soon.
Is Jacoby Brissett the Right Fit for Tennessee?
Brissett, an NFL veteran with 68 career touchdowns in 87 games, has played the bridge role before, stepping in for teams like the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders. Although he might not be a long-term solution the organization needs, Brissett’s leadership and experience could provide stability as the Titans transition to their next franchise QB.
In PFSN’s free agency predictions, the Titans also elect to go with a veteran quarterback, but Ben Rolfe has Tennessee signing Russell Wilson instead this offseason. Rolfe admits that it’s still a “short-term option,” so Tennessee could still go in any direction at No. 1. However, adding Wilson likely decreases the chances the Titans go quarterback to kick things off.
If Tennessee does decide to trade down, it will also be a huge gamble. But with a roster that needs much more than just a quarterback, accumulating assets while bringing in a steady veteran could be the best path forward for a team looking to rebuild the right way.