The Tennessee Titans entered the 2024 offseason viewed as a team that would likely be in transition, building for the future without any high expectations next season. All of that changed with a flurry of moves in NFL free agency and on the trade market, but those additions weren’t well received by everyone around the NFL.
Tennessee made significant additions on both sides of the ball, indicating a full intention to compete in 2024. The Titans’ front office provided a lot more talent on defense for first-year defensive Dennard Wilson, adding cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and L’Jarius Sneed along with linebacker Kenneth Murray and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph.
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The franchise also improved the supporting cast around second-year quarterback Will Levis and rookie head coach Brian Callahan. Tennessee upgraded its offensive line with guard Saahdig Charles and center Lloyd Cushenberry, while also adding running back Tony Pollard. In total, the Titans committed to more than $300 million in contracts to players.
Reviewing the Titans’ offseason, multiple NFL executives told Mike Sando of The Athletic that while both Tennessee and the Carolina Panthers overspent in free agency, the Panthers at least did it with the purpose of upgrading in specific areas.
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“They went receiver, center, corner, linebacker and running back, all at $7 million a year or more. Now look at Carolina. Both teams overpaid, but Carolina made all their moves up front, so you could see what the plan was. If you are going to overpay, overpay with intention.”
Anonymous NFL executive on Tennessee Titans’ spending in NFL free agency
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Why the Tennessee Titans free-agency spending was effective
Indeed, Tennessee didn’t necessarily address a specific position, whereas Carolina focused on upgrading in the trenches. However, the Titans’ front office addressed needs on both sides of the ball and spreading the money out allowed general manager Ran Carthon to have more flexibility in the 2024 NFL Draft.
- Calvin Ridley contract (Spotrac): 4 years, $92 million with $46.98 million guaranteed at signing
While the Titans’ spending in general was perceived as extreme by some around the NFL, a second executive specifically highlighted the Calvin Ridley contract as “bad business” by Tennessee.
“There is a walk-away point on some of these deals, and paying high-dollar numbers to a 29-year-old receiver now on his third team in three years amounts to bad business.”
NFL executive on the Tennessee Titans signing Calvin Ridley
While the Ridley deal was perceived by many to be an overpay, the details of his contract matter. However, as highlighted by Titans Wire, Tennessee could reasonably get out of this pact after two years. if Ridley is designated as a post-June 1 release in 2026, the Titans would free up $18.73 million in cap savings and leave dead cap hits of $8.02 million (2026) and $5 million (2027) in the final two years.
Far more importantly, pairing Ridley with DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks means Tennessee can use its first-round pick on the best offensive tackle available. Once the Titans add a left tackle, the environment around Levis will be even better and that makes it much easier for the front office to determine if he should be the starting quarterback after 2024.
