The Tennessee Titans have spent the offseason piling up additions from every direction. Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott arrived in free agency, EDGE Jermaine Johnson came over in a trade before training camp, and rookie WR Carnell Tate headlined Robert Saleh’s first draft class. For a while, it felt like Tennessee was bringing in a new name every day.
That wave has slowed, but the Titans still may be one impact move away from feeling truly settled. The clearest place to look is the secondary, where the cornerback signings have not translated into the kind of preseason dominance many expected.
One name that fits the bill is New England Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez.
If there’s even a chance New England could be persuaded to deal him, Tennessee ought to be interested. Gonzalez is the kind of player worth taking a swing on.
The Patriots are not openly shopping him, and this conversation exists only because New England has not extended him before the season. That contract standoff has Gonzalez in doubt for the team’s season-opener on Wednesday. If the holdout drags on, a trade could become a real possibility.
It would take a serious package to land a cornerback fresh off his first Pro Bowl, but Gonzalez would immediately raise the floor for Tennessee’s defense. Paired with Taylor and Flott, he would give the Titans a level of certainty they do not currently have at the position.
He’s the difference between “should be good” and “will be good.” For a defense that needs exactly that kind of player, that matters.
The numbers back up the case. Per PFF, Gonzalez ranks among the NFL’s top 30 cornerbacks in pass break-ups and sits inside the top 45 in both snap count and overall grade, out of 114 qualified players. The 33rd Team also pointed out that Gonzalez was targeted more than any defender through the first two games of last year’s playoffs.
On those 21 targets, he allowed only seven catches and no touchdowns.
Gonzalez is entering year four of his rookie contract, which makes the holdout more understandable even though he is not directly addressing it. If he expected a payday after a career season and did not get one, that leaves New England in a difficult spot with him still on the sideline.
Tennessee should be paying attention. If Gonzalez becomes available, the Titans need to be ready to gather the assets and make it happen, within reason. If this team is serious about winning now, this is the kind of move that can push it there.
In Other News...
Titans Secondary Still Has One Week 1 Concern Robert Saleh Must Fix
The Titans went into the offseason knowing their secondary needed help, and the additions of Alontae Taylor and CorDale Flott gave Robert Saleh two corners with the kind of upside that can change the feel of a defense. Taylor has flashed throughout camp, piling up three interceptions and pairing that with a strong 2025 coverage grade, while Flott has shown he can hold his own too, finishing above the NFL average even if the route there has not been perfectly clean.
The problem is that the talent has come with some coverage mistakes and penalties that can quickly turn into drive-extending plays once the games count. For Tennessee, the next step is not just getting both corners on the field, but getting them on the same page with the rest of the back end, and that puts the spotlight on Salehs ability to tighten up communication and assignments before Week 1 arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Titans May Already Be Setting Up Dan Moores Biggest 2026 Pressure
Dan Moore arrived in Tennessee on a four-year deal in 2025 with the expectation that he would help stabilize the Titans pass protection, but his struggles in that area have already made his long-term standing worth monitoring. For a team trying to build something more dependable up front, left tackle is too important a spot to leave unanswered for long, especially when the early returns have already raised questions.
Trevor Goosby is one name that could eventually enter the conversation if the Titans decide they need a different answer on the edge. He is seen as a developing tackle with strong athletic traits and the kind of upside that makes him an intriguing future left tackle, which is exactly why the 2026 season could matter so much for Moores hold on the job. [Read more 🡒]
Solomon Thomas Just Raised The Pressure On This Titans Rebuild
Solomon Thomas is already giving the Titans' rebuild a sharper edge. The veteran defensive tackle, one of the experienced additions brought in to help balance a younger roster, made it clear that the conversation around this team cannot stay stuck on long-term culture building. With Robert Saleh taking over as head coach, Tennessee has spent the offseason adding players like Thomas and John Franklin-Myers in hopes of raising the level around its developing core.
The timing matters, too, with the season opener against the New York Jets looming and little patience left for any slow-burn narrative. Tennessee is trying to show real progress after recent seasons fell short of expectations, and Thomas' stance only underscores the pressure on a roster built to compete sooner rather than later. For a team trying to reset its identity, the question is no longer whether the pieces are in place, but how quickly they can start looking like they belong together. [Read more 🡒]