The Tennessee Titans wrapped up their 2025 campaign with a familiar 3-14 record, matching their mark from the year before. But don’t let that identical win-loss column fool you - this season had a different tone, especially on offense. There were real signs of progress, and for a franchise that's been stuck in neutral, even small steps forward can mean a lot heading into 2026.
A big reason for the optimism? General Manager Mike Borgonzi.
In his first year running the show, Borgonzi delivered a draft class that gave the Titans something they haven’t had in a while: foundational young talent. Around the league, there’s a growing respect for what he’s building in Nashville - and that buzz has reportedly made the Titans a serious contender in the pursuit of John Harbaugh.
But with a new front office comes a natural shake-up. Borgonzi has already moved on from several players brought in by the previous regime. And while some holdovers are proving they belong in the team’s long-term plans, others are still question marks - including one of the most high-profile names from the old guard: 2024 first-round pick JC Latham.
Don’t Write Off JC Latham Just Yet
Latham was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, selected during Ran Carthon’s tenure as GM. Expectations were sky-high, and while he hasn’t exactly flamed out, it’s fair to say fans were hoping for more through his first two seasons.
But let’s not forget how his career started. Early in his rookie year, Latham looked like one of the more promising young tackles in the league.
He held his own against solid competition and flashed the tools that made him a top-10 pick. That changed late in the season, when he ran into Danielle Hunter and hit what many call the “rookie wall.”
Since then, he’s struggled to recapture that early form.
His 2025 season didn’t get off to a great start either. A hip injury in training camp lingered into the regular season, and after aggravating it in Week 1, Latham didn’t return until Week 6.
When he did, he was immediately thrown into the fire against Maxx Crosby - and the results weren’t pretty. From there, it was a rollercoaster.
Latham’s biggest issues in 2025 were range and penalties. The hip clearly limited his lateral movement, and it showed in his pass sets.
He was flagged multiple times for false starts, most notably in a matchup against the Texans where he committed three - including one just before the two-minute warning when the snap wasn’t even imminent. That kind of mental error, especially in crunch time, is tough to overlook.
But here’s the thing: those penalties weren’t just about focus. They were a symptom of a player trying to compensate.
Latham was often trying to get a jump off the line, likely because he knew he didn’t have the same burst or flexibility due to the lingering injury. And during locker room cleanout day, he admitted as much - saying the hip never fully healed and that he probably came back too early in October.
That matters. Every NFL player plays through pain, but offensive tackles rely heavily on lower-body strength and mobility.
When you're not 100%, especially at a position where you're asked to move backwards while blocking elite edge rushers, it shows. And it certainly showed in Latham’s game.
Still, despite all of that, Latham wasn’t a liability. In fact, he was a serviceable starter - roughly league average in pass protection, even when left on an island. That’s not the kind of production you hope for from a top-10 pick, but it’s also not the disaster some fans have made it out to be.
What Can Titans Fans Expect Moving Forward?
If Latham can get fully healthy - and that’s a big “if,” but a realistic one - there’s no reason he can’t be a solid, reliable starter for years to come. Maybe he never becomes an All-Pro, but he doesn’t have to be.
The Titans have struggled to find consistency at tackle for a while now, and in 2025, Latham at least gave them a steady presence on the edge. That’s more than they’ve had in recent years.
And let’s not rule out the possibility that he takes a leap. Offensive linemen often take time to develop, and Latham has already shown flashes. A full offseason to rest and rehab could be exactly what he needs to get back to the form we saw early in his rookie year.
Bottom line: JC Latham isn’t a bust. He’s a young tackle who played through a nagging injury, still managed to hold his own, and now has a chance to rebound in 2026.
With a new GM, a potential new coach, and a roster in transition, the Titans need building blocks. Latham still has the chance to be one of them.