The Tennessee Titans are stepping into the 2026 offseason with a fresh perspective, having appointed Robert Saleh as the new head coach. Saleh, known for his defensive prowess, is tasked with shaping the future around former No. 1 pick Cam Ward. With ample draft capital and the most cap space in the league, the Titans are positioned for a transformative offseason.
Despite a challenging 19-49 record over the past four seasons, the Titans' financial flexibility made their head coaching position highly attractive. After a quiet 2025 free agency, Tennessee is set to make significant moves come March.
Saleh's defensive mindset marks a shift for the Titans, who have lacked such focus in recent years. He has assembled a strong coaching staff, bringing in former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator and Gus Bradley from the 49ers as defensive coordinator.
While the Titans have plenty of cap space, they need to revamp their roster by moving on from some aging veterans. Running back Tony Pollard, despite four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, may be on the trading block. At 28, his timeline doesn't align with Ward's, and trading him could yield valuable draft capital, saving $7.2 million in cap space.
Pollard's potential departure opens the door for Tennessee to find a new running back to complement Ward in Daboll's offense. With five picks between Round 2 and Round 5, the Titans have the flexibility to explore their options.
Calvin Ridley, another veteran, was expected to be Ward's go-to receiver but struggled with injuries, managing just 303 scoreless yards in seven games before a season-ending broken leg. At 31, Ridley's chemistry with Ward is lacking, and his future with the Titans is uncertain.
Ridley's hefty contract complicates matters, but trading him could be more beneficial than releasing him outright. Despite his age and recent injury, Ridley still holds value as a high-quality starter for a contender.
Similarly, L'Jarius Sneed was brought in with high hopes but has not lived up to expectations. Appearing in just 12 of 34 games since signing a significant contract, Sneed has underperformed, particularly in coverage.
With Sneed turning 29, the Titans might look to trade him to recoup some value. If not, releasing him could free up $15.5 million in cap space with a post-June 1 designation. Saleh's vision for the team may no longer include Sneed, as the Titans aim to reshape their defense for the future.
The Titans are at a pivotal point, with Saleh's leadership and strategic decisions set to define their path forward. The upcoming offseason promises to be a crucial period of change and opportunity for Tennessee.