The Tennessee Titans already made one major move before the NFL trade deadline, and they don’t appear eager to make another one involving their top defensive pieces.
Less than a week before the Nov. 10 deadline, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday morning that Tennessee is not looking to trade safety Amani Hooker, even though teams around the league have shown interest. That’s a notable stance after the Titans just sent away franchise centerpiece Jeffery Simmons, along with a 2028 fifth-round pick, to the Chicago Bears in exchange for two future first-round picks and a 2027 fourth-round pick.
The Simmons deal was the kind of blockbuster that had been floating around deadline conversations for years, and Tennessee finally pulled the trigger. But the Titans seem intent on stopping there when it comes to the heart of their defense.
Hooker’s role only grew after that trade. According to Jim Wyatt, Tennessee named him a defensive captain for the rest of the season.
Then he backed that up with the best performance of his career against the Cincinnati Bengals, when he picked off Joe Burrow three times - a career high. That made him the first Titan since Kevin Byard on Oct. 22, 2017, to log three interceptions in a single game.
Byard also happens to be the most recent safety the Titans have dealt away. At the 2023 NFL trade deadline, the Eagles sent Terrell Edmunds and two draft picks to Tennessee for the two-time First Team All-Pro.
For now, though, Hooker looks set to stay put. The 28-year-old is in the middle of a career season, already matching his personal best with five interceptions, which he also reached in 2024. He leads all NFL defenders in interceptions, sitting two ahead of the next closest players.
His value goes beyond the takeaway numbers. Hooker also leads the Titans with six passes defensed and ranks second on the team in tackles. With Simmons gone, keeping another veteran leader in the secondary matters even more, especially for a defense being guided by Robert Saleh.
Hooker’s experience gives Tennessee something it would be hard to replace, particularly for younger players on the roster. If the Titans make any more moves before the deadline, the offense may be where they look. But as things stand, the message is clear: Hooker is staying in Nashville.
In Other News...
Titans May Have Found A Nickelback Answer They Werent Expecting
Alontae Taylors path back into the Titans defensive conversation came in a hurry. After sitting out Weeks 6 and 7, he was pressed into 41 snaps at nickelback in Week 8 when Marcus Harris went down, and he made the kind of splash plays that can keep a coachs attention. Taylor forced a fumble and broke up a two-point conversion pass, giving Tennessee a much-needed jolt in a role that had suddenly opened up.
The performance was not spotless, though, and that is where the next decision gets tricky for Tennessee. Taylor also gave up six catches for 82 yards, leaving the Titans with a real evaluation to make during the bye week as they sort through the nickel spot. Harriss injury status will go a long way toward determining whether Taylors latest opportunity turns into something more permanent. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Fans Will Have Strong Opinions On This Front Office Snub
A front-office wrinkle involving the Titans has already stirred up plenty of discussion around the league. During a media availability, New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh confirmed that he reached out directly to Tennessee owner Amy Adams Strunk to explore a trade opportunity, skipping over the general manager in the process. Harbaugh said the call happened and made clear his team is open to hearing trade ideas from anyone.
The approach is the kind of move that tends to get noticed in NFL circles, especially when it involves a direct line to the owner instead of the usual chain of command. It has drawn some criticism, but Harbaugh brushed that aside, leaving the bigger question for Tennessee fans: what exactly was being floated, and what might it mean for the Titans if talks keep moving forward? [Read more 🡒]
Titans Suddenly Have A Real Long Term RB Problem
The Titans backfield has gone from a position of relative comfort to one with real long-term questions, and the latest wrinkle is that Tony Pollard is unlikely to be moved despite earlier chatter about a possible trade. With Pollard still in place, Tennessee is left sorting through a depth chart that has not given the team much to feel good about beyond the short term.
Tyjae Spears has struggled to make much of an impact and has also missed time with injuries, while rookie Nick Singleton is still more of a developmental piece than an answer. That leaves Tennessee looking ahead to the next draft for help, with Floridas Trevor Etienne Baugh emerging as a name worth watching if the Titans decide they need a true reset at running back. [Read more 🡒]