When the Tennessee Titans hired new head coach Brian Callahan, they hoped he would help right the ship of the sinking franchise. Unfortunately, the Titans apparently had to get worse before they got better, finishing the 2024 campaign with a 3-14 record.
However, Callahan now has rookie quarterback Cam Ward in his arsenal, and the team has been working on building up his arsenal this offseason. One of the most recent additions is veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett.
Lockett recently told the media that the road to Nashville wasn’t easy. Despite a challenging 2024 season full of “sacrifice,” Lockett said he is excited for the fresh start.
Tyler Lockett Hopes His Sacrifices Pay off
After the Seattle Seahawks drafted him in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Lockett spent his whole career at Emerald City. He had been a consistent contributor, but his production had slightly dropped last season, and he was set to be a large salary cap hit, so the Seahawks released him.
Lockett told the press he grew up a Titans fan after they drafted Vince Young. He said he traveled to Nashville from his hometown of Tulsa, OK, to watch them in the playoffs.
“I’m excited about it,” Lockett said on Tuesday, via the Titans’ official website. “I’ve been at the same place for 10 years, and now this is a new atmosphere, a new building, you are learning everybody’s names, and you are trying to [find] ways where you fit in.”
He said his father, Kevin, who also played in the NFL, encouraged him to embrace the chance as he called it refreshing. Lockett said he is looking forward to finally playing for an offensive-minded coach like Callahan after playing primarily for defensive gurus.
Lockett added that he understands the “politics” of football. He knows that receivers need to do more than just catch the ball, especially at his age. There are many behind-the-scenes things that fans don’t witness that the team needs, like leadership and selflessness, and he is hoping to contribute in that way.
“Sometimes it’s not about stats, but it’s about how you build each other up. So, for me, I sacrificed a lot of stuff last year (in Seattle) for the better of the team, and I just believe that is what you want to do in order to be able to try and help the team be at its best.”
“So, coming here, I know that I can still play,” he added. “I don’t think I need to prove that to anybody. I just need to continue to build in a healthy way and not try to waste my time trying to do all this proving people wrong, because sometimes it works out for you, and sometimes it just adds extra stress.”
Lockett will be joining a mixed group of receivers that includes Calvin Ridley, Van Jefferson, Treylon Burks, Chimere Dike, and Elic Ayomanor. It is a lot of support for Ward and Lockett, and the other vets should provide a lot of support to the younger guys as they adjust to the league.