Tag: titans

Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) throws the ball in the first half against the Buffalo Bills in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: QB Mason Rudolph returning to Steelers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph is returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team that drafted him in 2018, on a two-year deal, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

Rudolph spent last season with the Titans. He appeared in eight games, starting five of them, and was 1-4 as a starter for Tennessee, who tied for the NFL’s worst record (3-14). He completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,530 yards with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The rest of Rudolph’s career has been with the Steelers, largely as backup, since being drafted in the third round.

In 18 starts (29 career games), the 29-year-old Rudolph has a 9-8-1 record, completing 437 passes for 4,615 yards with 28 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

In 2023, in a fill-in role, he led the Steelers to a 3-0 record to end the season, propelling them into the playoffs. They lost 31-17 to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round.

The Steelers were quarterbacked last season by Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, both signed to one-year deals as free agents. Fields has since signed with the New York Jets, and Wilson reportedly is visiting the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants this week.

Pittsburgh has only former Miami Dolphins backup Skylar Thompson signed at quarterback as it reportedly waits for four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to accept or decline an offer.

–Field Level Media

Nov 2, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) prepares to block against Tennessee Titans linebacker Arden Key (49) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Reports: Titans lure LT Dan Moore with $82 million pact

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Free agent left tackle Dan Moore agreed to a four-year contract worth $21 million per season with the Tennessee Titans, according to multiple reports.

The Titans forked over $50 million guaranteed on a deal that can be worth $82 million total, NFL Network reported. Moore’s agents at CAA confirmed to ESPN that the contract pays $30 million in 2025.

The former Steelers starter was also pursued by the Chiefs and Patriots, according to reports.

Tennessee owns the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and is a team in transition. That includes the quarterback position, which general manager Mike Borgonzi described as the “position we need to get right.”

Will Levis remains under contract but could be moved if the Titans find a quarterback to replace him in free agency or the draft.

Tennessee used its first-round pick (seventh overall) in 2024 on offensive tackle JC Latham but will likely use him at right tackle because of his size (6-5, 340).

Moore, 26, became one of the top tackles available in free agency after the Ravens re-signed Ronnie Stanley to a three-year, $60 million extension.

A fourth-round pick in 2021 out of Texas A&M, Moore started at left tackle (16 games) as a rookie and compiled 66 starts in four seasons in Pittsburgh.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry III (58) and Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Joe Alt (76) during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Reports: Titans release sacks leader Harold Landry III

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The Tennessee Titans released outside linebacker Harold Landry III after unsuccessfully shopping their top pass rusher in trade talks.

Landry, 28, was the Titans’ longest-tenured player. Landry would have earned $17.5 million in base salary with a $24.05 million cap hit in 2025.

Tennessee will save $10.9 million in cap space, bypassing a June 1 designation available that would have increased the franchise’s savings to $17.5 million.

A second-round pick in 2018, Landry started all 17 games last season and made 71 tackles with a team-high nine sacks as well as 15 tackles for loss, one safety, 15 quarterback hits and four forced fumbles.

He has 397 career tackles in 98 regular-season games (79 starts) with 50.5 sacks, 70 tackles for loss, 102 QB hits, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Landry signed a five-year, $87 million deal in 2022 but tore his ACL in the preseason and missed the entire campaign.

The Titans gave Landry’s agents permission to seek a trade prior to the NFL Scouting Combine last month.

–Field Level Media

Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State defensive lineman Abdul Carter (DL44) during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Titans narrow field at No. 1, invite top prospects to Nashville

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Decision day for the Tennessee Titans might come sooner than many expect with the 2025 NFL Draft seven weeks away.

Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said at the NFL Scouting Combine he is fielding calls about trading the No. 1 pick, but the franchise is not willing to pass on any prospect they rate as a “generational talent.”

Part of their process in evaluating that distinction is continued face time with top-ranked prospects, including Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter, Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter and two quarterbacks: Cam Ward of Miami and Shedeur Sanders of Colorado. All four met last week with the Titans in Indianapolis, when teams are permitted 15-minute interviews during the NFL Scouting Combine, and are scheduled to visit the Titans’ team facility this month.

Carter will be the first to visit with a scheduled session on Thursday, NFL Network reported. Carter did not work out at the combine last week and team doctors might have more questions about shoulder and foot injuries.

If the Titans rank all four prospects with a similar grade, they could opt to slide back a few spots to be in position to guarantee getting one of the players in the “blue-chip” grading area while accumulating additional picks. Since making a change at general manager, the Titans have repeated that their focus is to attain “as many top 100 picks as possible.”

Hunter was described as a “special” talent by Borgonzi, who stopped short of the “generational talent” label for the Heisman Trophy winner.

Tennessee indicated it will hold onto incumbent starting quarterback Will Levis for now, but clearly the position has been underscored as a need by the new personnel staff.

Ward and Sanders met with the Titans but did not work out with quarterbacks at the combine.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (11) practices before the Fiesta Bowl against the Boise State Broncos at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Penn State DE Abdul Carter praises Titans, wants to be No. 1 pick

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter wore an Eagles jersey to the Super Bowl for one final experience as a Philly fan with his dad, knowing his next stop via the NFL draft is unlikely to bring his dream of wearing that uniform to life.

Carter is not working out for NFL teams this week because of a shoulder injury he estimated was “90 percent” healed. But he’s squarely in the conversation as one of the best prospects in the 2025 draft class after posting 12.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss for the Nittany Lions last season.

Carter said he gets his toughness from his Philadelphia roots where he grew up dreaming of working toward being the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

“I feel like it’s very realistic,” Carter said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “I feel like I’m the best player in the country. The best player should be selected No. 1.”

Carter said he kicked off interviews with NFL teams on Tuesday night and met with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel — “all about his business” — and the brass of the Tennessee Titans, who have the No. 1 pick.

“I’m impressed with them. They’re impressed with me,” Carter said. “They have the No. 1 pick. I want to be the top pick.”

Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said Tuesday he would not pass on a generational talent. While Borgonzi said the first draft board of the process is set in Nashville, he wouldn’t say which players earned priority seating.

“Abdul is a very good player,” Borgonzi said. “I don’t want to go into many evaluations of the players, but there are certainly some players at the top that fit that description of generational talent.”

–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

Nov 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) following an interception in the first quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Titans begin road to No. 1 pick with board set; GM calls Travis Hunter ‘special player’

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INDIANAPOLIS — Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi worked a no-daylight schedule for most of February to arrive at the NFL Scouting Combine with his draft board set.

“Phase 1,” Borgonzi said Tuesday morning at the Indianapolis Convention Center of the first step in a long road to deciding how — and whether — to use the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Still open for business, the Titans are focusing first on free agency — that board of available players is finalized, too — and numerous needs prior to the official start of the 2025 league year next month.

“Offensive line is going to be a priority for us,” said Borgonzi, who was hired in January to replace Ran Carthon and get on the same page with returning coach Brian Callahan.

The new Titans’ braintrust has been meeting during lunch hours to go over “profiles” for every position, described by Borgonzi as the athletic, physical and mental makeup of a player. He said the Titans won’t pass on a special player because he doesn’t fit their preferred prototype. Asked directly about one familiar talent in this draft pool, Colorado’s wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter, Borgonzi grinned.

“He’s special,” Borgonzi said. “I don’t know if we’ve seen in modern football a player who could (play) both at a high level.”

A self-scout of the roster he inherits is largely complete, Borgonzi said, noting he really likes the interior defensive line in place and that he spent time with coaches to find out more about who players might be in meetings and on the practice field. He mentioned wide receiver Calvin Ridley, the big-ticket signing last March on a four-year, $92 million deal, and defensive tackles Jeffery Simmons and T’vondre Sweat as returning veterans who can help drive the team’s turnaround from 3-14.

Discipline was a buzzword throughout the 20-minute session, and in repeating the Titans are very early in their evaluation process, Borgonzi said third-year quarterback Will Levis remains on the roster to compete but acknowledged the position is one the Titans must “get right.” This week won’t play a major role in shifting the first-phase draft board in Nashville and only “small changes” would be necessary based on speed scores and other testing.

Even so, all indications from his second session with national media since joining the Titans from the Kansas City Chiefs’ front office is the Titans are open to dealing the No. 1 pick for additional draft capital.

“We’re always going to try to gather as many picks in the Top 100 as we can,” Borgonzi said.

–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan speaks during a press conference at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.

GM not married to No. 1 pick; Titans won’t pass on ‘generational talent’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi wants to collect draft currency, even if it means parting with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Borgonzi, hired to replace Ran Carthon, and president of football operations Chad Brinker make up the new power structure in Nashville. They shared a streamlined vision for resurrecting the Titans following a 3-14 season.

“We want to make 30 draft picks over the next three years,” Brinker told reporters Wednesday. “And we want 12 of those to be in the top 100s.”

To stockpile picks, the Titans are willing to part with the most valuable selection in their draft war chest. Only two of their current draft picks — No. 1 and No. 34 prior to compensatory selections — are in the top 100. But Brinker said the Titans are not willing to pass on a “generational talent” if they determine that player exists in the 2025 draft.

Field Level Media’s top-ranked player is Colorado cornerback and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, a two-way star with the Buffaloes who is being evaluated by most teams as a defensive back who could moonlight as a wide receiver.

Miami quarterback Cam Ward rates above the rest in a top-heavy class at the position.

And Borgonzi underscored the importance of settling the franchise’s most pressing question: Who’s the QB?

An understudy of general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid with the Kansas City Chiefs, Borgonzi inherits a roster with one quarterback under contract. That’s Will Levis, who did not solidify the spot under first-year head coach Brian Callahan last season.

Borgonzi said he’ll have final say in free agency and the draft if necessary. The mission is more collaboration with Callahan and Brinker in what the Titans’ brass acknowledged is an atypical structure for an NFL front office.

That doesn’t change their focused first order of business.

“The quarterback is the most important position, arguably in sports,” Borgonzi said. “So you have to solidify the quarterback position. We’re going to be relentless attacking this until we find the answer.”

Borgonzi — a self-described anomaly as a “Northeast guy with a funny Boston accent that loves country music” — spent the past 16 seasons with the Chiefs. He climbed the ladder since being hired in 2009 to become assistant general manager the past four seasons.

While the Chiefs march toward their mission of a three-peat as Super Bowl champions, Borgonzi called for patience to build a roster “the right way.”

“There is some talent on this roster, but we’re a three-win football team right now, so that’s not good enough,” Borgonzi said. “So, we’re going to have to look everywhere to improve it.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 22, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; A detailed view of the Tennessee Titans logo at midfield during a AFC Divisional playoff football game at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: Titans to hire Chiefs’ Mike Borgonzi as GM

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Tennessee Titans intend to hire Kansas City Chiefs assistant general manager Mike Borgonzi as the team’s general manager, multiple media outlets reported on Friday.

Per ESPN, Borgonzi and the Titans have yet to start negotiating a contract — however both sides are interested in coming to terms.

The Titans are looking for a general manager since firing Ran Carthon on Jan. 7 after two years with the organization. Carthon was hired as Tennessee’s general manager in January 2023 and added the executive vice president title in January 2024.

The Titans went 9-25 in two seasons under Carthon’s watch, including 3-14 this season to gain ownership of the top overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Borgonzi heads to Music City following a 16-season tenure with the Chiefs, most recently serving as the team’s assistant general manager since 2021.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans General Manager Ran Carthon arrives for their game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024.

No. 1 pick secured, Titans fire GM Ran Carthon

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The Tennessee Titans fired general manager Ran Carthon on Tuesday after two seasons with the organization.

Two days after the Titans concluded a 3-14 season and gained ownership of the top overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, there is another layer of mystery around the organization. Tennessee went 9-25 in two seasons under Carthon’s watch.

President of football operations Chad Brinker will lead the search for a new general manager, while Brian Callahan will return for a second season as the head coach, the organization confirmed Tuesday.

“I’ve loved the time I’ve spent with Ran. He’s a talented football mind, a great man, and friend to everyone along his path,” Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in the statement. “It’s impossible to ignore that our football team hasn’t improved over the past two years. I am deeply disappointed in our poor win-loss record during this period, of course, but my decision also speaks to my concern about our long-term future should we stay the course.”

Carthon was hired as Tennessee’s general manager in January 2023 and added the executive vice president title in January 2024.

The Titans’ spending spree last offseason resulted in the additions of wide receiver Calvin Ridley, running back Tony Pollard, cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day. However, the fortunes of the team didn’t change.

“We just haven’t improved this football team for the last couple of years,” Titans president and CEO Burke Nihill said. “We’ve won nine of the 34 games we’ve played over the past two seasons, and as much as the record was concerning to Amy as it was to all of our fans, her assessment was also that we’re not on course to get where we need to go moving forward. As difficult as these decisions are, she believed it was the right one.

“Speaking of a change of the general manager specifically, Ran was hired into a very different job description than the one that exists today. Ran was hired for a general manager position that was very specific to the circumstances at the time, and the forecasting was the general manager would be able to partner very closely with the head coach, the existing head coach, and as the circumstances exists today, the general manager position is different. And so, what Chad, who is leading the search, will be looking for is a very different skill set for a very different job description.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Tennessee Titans helmet against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Titans clinch No. 1 pick in 2025 NFL Draft

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The Tennessee Titans wore Houston Oilers throwback uniforms for their season finale against the Texans on Sunday.

After a sixth straight defeat to end the season, the Titans are on the clock for the first time since the Oilers days.

Tennessee is one of three teams to finish the season at 3-14, joined by the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants. The Titans got the nod in the tiebreaker by posting their record against the weakest strength of schedule out of that trio (.521).

The franchise will pick first overall for the first time since the Oilers drafted running back Earl Campbell in 1978. The only other time they went first overall was 1973, when the Oilers took defensive end John Matuszak.

Cleveland will pick second overall and New York will go third. All three teams could be in the market for a new franchise quarterback.

Rounding out the top five are the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars, who are 4-13. The Patriots could have secured the top pick with a loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday because their strength of schedule was weaker than Tennessee’s. Instead, they upset playoff-bound Buffalo 23-16.

The order of selections 1-18 will be finalized by the end of the day. The New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders (4-12) were active in the late-afternoon window and their draft order is still up in the air, but they cannot break into the top five.

–Field Level Media