The Titans’ linebacker room is starting to look crowded in a way that could force a real decision, and Cody Barton may be the name sitting closest to the edge.
Tennessee has taken steps in the right direction overall. The roster still isn’t the kind that intimidates anybody on paper, but it’s better than it has been in recent years. Robert Saleh’s arrival this offseason and the overhaul up front on the defensive line are expected to make an immediate difference, and the offense is also in a better place under Brian Daboll and the assistants.
Still, the buzz has centered on linebacker, and for good reason. Anthony Hill, the rookie with real juice, has been a major talking point.
James Williams has also flashed. Cedric Gray is in the mix too, with the chance to grow into something bigger.
Put all that together, and it’s fair to ask whether Barton’s spot is as secure as it once looked.
Hill came out of Texas with the reputation of a player who would need time before he was fully ready for the NFL. That hasn’t stopped him from making plays and showing off the kind of athleticism that jumps out immediately.
And that matters in Saleh’s system, because his defenses usually want plus athletes at linebacker. That’s a trait you can’t coach up.
If Hill keeps producing, it’s hard to justify keeping him on the sideline. He could force his way into a meaningful role sooner rather than later.
That’s where Barton enters the picture. He signed with the Titans last offseason, and nobody is pretending he isn’t a good player.
He is. But his style doesn’t look like an ideal match for what this defense wants.
Hill simply fits better.
Williams adds another layer to the conversation. He has already made some plays and could be nearing an important step in his development, which only deepens the competition for snaps.
Barton’s 2025 production was solid: three interceptions, 11 passes defended, and 81 total tackles. But coverage has not been his calling card. According to Pro Football Reference, he has averaged a career passer rating allowed of 95.5 when in coverage.
There’s also the business side. Barton won’t turn 30 until November, so he still has value around the league.
A trade would make sense from a cap standpoint too. Over The Cap says a post-June 1st trade would clear $6.51 million for Tennessee while leaving just $1.72 million in dead money.
At the same time, keeping him would not be a strange move. Barton is dependable, plays a key position, and wears the green dot, which makes him central to what the Titans are doing on defense.
But this is a new era in Tennessee, and that means uncomfortable choices are part of the deal. The Titans have a rookie making noise, a few young linebackers pushing, and a veteran whose fit is suddenly less certain. It may still feel early, but there is a real chance the Titans decide to lean into the youth and move Barton elsewhere.
In Other News...
Titans Rookies Are Already Creating A Real Playing Time Debate
Training camp has given the Titans a first real chance to sort out which rookies are ready to push for immediate roles, and the early returns have added a little intrigue to a roster still in evaluation mode. With padded practices now underway and a joint session with the San Francisco 49ers on the schedule, Tennessee is getting a clearer look at its 2026 draft class, from encouraging signs by wide receiver Carnell Tate, defensive end Keldric Faulk and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. to the tougher road facing some of the other first-year players.
Nicholas Singleton and Jackie Marshall are among the rookies trying to make their case, but the challenge for both is simple: turning camp work into enough trust to earn meaningful snaps. That competition is exactly what makes this stretch important for the Titans, because the coaching staff is not just grading talent, it is weighing who can help soonest in a crowded depth picture as the physical work ramps up and the 49ers practice offers another measuring stick. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Have A Real Offensive Line Battle Brewing In Camp
Second-year players from the 2025 draft class are already finding out how quickly a promising rookie season can turn into a new proving ground, and the Titans have one of the more interesting cases in Elic Ayomanor. After a quiet but productive first year in Tennessee, the wideout is back in the mix for a larger role as training camp opens, with the team sorting through a few key competitions that could shape the offenses depth chart for the fall.
Ayomanors path is especially worth watching because his rookie production gave Tennessee a real glimpse of what he can offer, but camp is where he has to turn that into trust and snap share. With second-year players around the league trying to move from developmental pieces to regular contributors, the Titans will be watching closely to see whether Ayomanor can keep pushing his way into a bigger piece of the passing game. [Read more 🡒]