The Titans’ 1-7 start has already pushed the franchise into seller mode, and Jacob Martin now looks like the next veteran who could be on the move.
Martin put together his best outing of the season Sunday in Tennessee’s 43-36 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, piling up three sacks, nine quarterback pressures and four defensive stops. For a player who signed a two-year deal with the Titans in March, it was another reminder that he has been one of the team’s most useful offseason additions.
Even with that production, the timing points toward a trade. Martin is under contract for another year, but with the deadline set for 4 p.m.
ET on November 10, it would make sense for Tennessee to listen. He is tied for fifth in the NFL in sacks with 6.5, and that kind of pass-rushing output should draw interest from teams trying to bolster their fronts for a playoff push.
A move would also give the Titans a clearer look at the younger edge options on the roster, including Femi Oladejo and rookie first-round pick Keldric Faulk. Tennessee is still rebuilding, and general manager Mike Borgonzi could reasonably turn a productive veteran into more draft capital.
Several contenders could come calling. The Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills are all mentioned as possible fits for Martin, whose affordable contract and steady pressure numbers make him an appealing target.
In terms of return, a fourth-round pick sounds like the most realistic outcome. A third-rounder is possible, but that feels like a stretch for a player who will turn 31 in December and has not been a consistent game-wrecker.
The Titans already made their intentions clear when they traded All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears last week. That move signaled a team willing to deal veteran contributors and keep building toward the future. Another transaction before November 10 would not be a surprise, and Martin fits that profile cleanly.
Tennessee is off in Week 9 before hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium in Week 10. By then, Martin could still be wearing a Titans uniform - or he could already be helping a contender chase the postseason.
In Other News...
Titans Sent A Clear Message About Jeffery Simmons After His Trade
Jeffery Simmons departure to Chicago did not go unnoticed in Tennessee, and the Titans made sure of that in their next game. The defensive line showed up with red sleeves as a nod to the veteran tackle, a small but visible tribute to a player who had become a central figure in the room and on the field.
Solomon Thomas spoke about Simmons impact on the team and the gesture that followed his trade, underscoring how much respect he had earned inside the building. For a defense trying to move forward without one of its defining voices, the tribute said plenty about the standard Simmons left behind and the void the Titans now have to fill. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Trade Drama Just Took A Wild Jeffery Simmons Turn
Trade chatter around Jeffery Simmons took an unusual turn when Giants coach John Harbaugh confirmed he reached out directly to Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk about a possible deal. The move came after New York reportedly was not getting anywhere through Tennessee general manager Mike Borgonzi, which pushed Harbaugh to try a different route as the sides explored whether there was any real traction on the defensive tackle.
Harbaugh also made clear he has no interest in following any unwritten etiquette that might keep coaches from picking up the phone on matters like this, saying he would make similar calls again if needed. For Tennessee, it adds another layer to a situation already worth watching, since Simmons remains the kind of player who can alter a defense and draw interest even when the usual front-office path is not producing movement. [Read more 🡒]
Cam Ward Just Changed Tennessees Trade Deadline Conversation
Cam Wards latest outing against the Bengals gave the Titans something they have not had much of this season: real offensive momentum and a reason to think differently about the weeks ahead. Ward piled up a career-high 304 passing yards, added 41 on the ground and helped Tennessee reach 36 points, its highest total in five years, while completing 26 of 40 throws with two touchdowns. He also snapped a five-game interception streak and posted an 81.0 QBR, the second-best mark among quarterbacks that Sunday.
For a team that has spent plenty of time weighing the future, that kind of performance can alter the conversation fast. With the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaching, the Titans now have to balance rebuilding instincts with the possibility that Wards growth changes the timeline and the kinds of moves worth making. Whether that means standing pat, buying, or leaning further into the long game, his play has made the decision a lot less straightforward than it looked a week ago. [Read more 🡒]