The Tennessee Titans have been making waves in free agency, with General Manager Mike Borgonzi adding over 10 new players to the roster. However, despite their active approach, there's still a glaring need at the EDGE position that remains largely unaddressed.
In an effort to bolster their defensive line, the Titans traded for defensive end Jermaine Johnson II. Johnson, who had a challenging 2025 season following a 2024 Achilles injury, is expected to start under head coach Robert Saleh, who knows him well from their time together with the Jets. The Titans have been on a spree of acquiring former Jets players, including John Franklin-Myers and the recently traded Solomon Thomas.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Titans made their first move in free agency for an EDGE player by signing former Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Malik Herring. While this signing adds depth, it doesn't fully address the Titans' needs at the position.
Herring, who joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent while Borgonzi was with the team, reunites with his former GM in Tennessee. Despite this connection, it's hard to see Herring becoming a significant contributor. In 2025, he played just six defensive snaps without recording any stats before being released and rejoining the Chiefs' practice squad.
Herring's most notable season came in 2023, where he logged 163 snaps and recorded 1.5 sacks. In 2024, he was part of the Chiefs' rotation, playing 194 snaps. Yet, with the Titans, he's not expected to make a substantial impact or even secure a spot on the 53-man roster.
Jermaine Johnson currently leads the Titans' EDGE group, with Jaylen Harrell and Femi Oladejo also in the mix as role players. Herring's signing seems more like a developmental gamble by Borgonzi, rather than a solution to the Titans' pressing need at EDGE. The quest for a solid pass-rusher continues in Tennessee.