The Titans are down to the final stretch before the NFL trade deadline, and the picture has gotten a lot clearer. Robert Saleh said this morning that Tennessee is preparing as if the current roster will be the one on the field next Sunday, but that doesn’t mean the phones are quiet.
A day and a handful of hours from the deadline, the list has been trimmed to five names, split into one clear must-move and four longer shots. And at this point, Calvin Ridley stands alone.
Ridley is the only player who looks especially likely to be dealt, and he’s also the one Tennessee should be most motivated to move. The veteran wideout has only six catches this season, despite missing just one game, and his fit in OC Brian Daboll’s offense has gone sideways. The drops have piled up, the opportunities have shrunk, and the production just hasn’t followed.
As of yesterday, the Titans were still taking calls on Ridley. A sixth-round pick is believed to be the going rate, and there are teams out there that could justify paying that price to strengthen their playoff push. Tennessee should be looking for one of those teams and trying to close the deal before the deadline passes.
After Ridley, things get murkier.
Tony Pollard is the big name that keeps hanging over the conversation, but the reality is that Tennessee does not appear eager to move him. He has become Cam Ward’s trusted backfield partner, and the expectation is that the Titans want him there until his contract runs out after this season.
Still, if the market gets desperate enough, a third-round pick or a package deal could force the issue. For now, though, Pollard remains an outside possibility, not a likely departure.
Jermaine Johnson fits the profile of a player who could get swept into deadline chatter, even if there hasn’t been much actual buzz around him. He’s in the final year of his rookie contract, and the Titans are a roster that could reset again at any time.
His past connection to Robert Saleh from their time with the New York Jets gives him a reason to stay, though, and that matters too. If Jeffery Simmons had already been moved, Johnson probably would have looked like a much bigger trade candidate.
As it stands, he’s more of a surprise possibility, especially with Jacob Martin outplaying him.
Then there’s Amani Hooker, who may be the toughest one to pry loose. Jeremy Fowler reported this morning that the Titans have received calls on the safety but do not want to move him.
Hooker’s stock is high after his three-interception game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8, and he now leads the NFL with five picks. He’s 28, under contract through 2028, and still looks like one of the most valuable pieces in Saleh’s defense.
If Tennessee were ever going to listen seriously, he’d likely bring back the biggest return on the board outside of Pollard. But that would require an offer the Titans haven’t seen yet.
The last name is Tyjae Spears, which is more theory than rumor at this point. There hasn’t been any real noise around him, but the case is there.
Spears has only two total touches over the last three weeks, and his knee issues have limited him throughout the season. Even when he has played - six of eight games - he hasn’t found much rhythm.
With rookie Nick Singleton already drafted last year, Pollard likely staying put, and even the possibility of a first-round running back next spring, Spears starts to look like the odd man out. He’s 25, inexpensive, and could appeal to a team looking for backfield help.
Not a lock. Not even close. But on paper, it makes sense.
In Other News...
Calvin Ridley Gives Titans A New Problem During Trade Rumors
Calvin Ridleys season has already been a frustrating one on the field, and now the Titans have a separate issue to sort through as the trade deadline approaches. The veteran receiver has been the subject of trade rumors amid limited production, but the latest wrinkle came away from the field, where the team acknowledged an unexplained incident involving Ridley at Nashville International Airport and said it is working with local authorities.
For Tennessee, the timing only adds to the uncertainty around a player whose future has already been a talking point. The organization has not released any further details, and law enforcement has not either, leaving the situation open-ended for now. With Ridleys name already floating in trade speculation, the Titans suddenly have another matter to monitor while trying to keep the focus on football. [Read more 🡒]
Titans May Be Turning A Young Back Into A Trade Deadline Decision
The Titans move toward the NFL trade deadline has centered on the obvious names, but the backfield is starting to look like another area worth watching. Calvin Ridley remains the most likely player to draw outside interest, yet Tyjae Spears has quietly become a more intriguing possibility as Tennessee leans harder on Tony Pollard and continues sorting out its long-term plans.
Spears still offers the kind of versatility teams tend to value, and his affordable contract only adds to the appeal for a club looking for help without a major financial commitment. Even with his role shrinking lately, the Titans may view him as part of the broader roster reset rather than a piece to build around, which is why his name could surface if Tennessee decides to make another move before the deadline. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Rebuild Suddenly Has A Few Young Cornerstones Emerging
The Titans Week 9 bye offered a natural checkpoint for a roster still being reshaped, and the first-half projections around several young pieces point to a rebuild that may be moving faster than expected. Cam Ward remains the obvious centerpiece of the conversation, but he is hardly alone. Tony Pollards role, along with the early impact projections for Carnell Tate, WanDale Robinson, Jacob Martin, Jermaine Johnson and Anthony Hill, gives Tennessee a broader look at which players are starting to look like part of the next core.
What makes the picture interesting is that the encouraging signs are coming with the usual growing pains attached. The numbers tied to those players suggest both promise and plenty of room for improvement, which is exactly what a team in transition wants to sort out after a bye. For the Titans, the bigger question now is not whether the rebuild is underway, but which of these emerging contributors can keep turning first-half flashes into something more durable down the stretch. [Read more 🡒]