NASHVILLE – Free agency is under way.
Well, kind of.
We're in the middle of the free agency negotiating period, what some call the "legal tampering period."
Most of you have seen the national reporters having a field day on the breaking news, including several reported deals involving the Titans – former Steelers left tackle Dan Moore, former Broncos linebacker Cody Barton, former Panthers punter Johnny Hekker and former Panthers safety Xavier Woods.
What you haven't seen is those deals reported on this web site, or on my personal social media feed (@jwyattsports), since NFL/team rules prevent that because these deals are not "official." The start of free agency doesn't officially begin until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, and at that time teams can schedule visits, and have players come in for physicals and contract signings.
Until that happens, you won't see anything on this web site about unrestricted free agents from other teams being added.
The team is able to report news on signing its own players, however. That's why you've seen deals from myself and the team on guys like Morgan Cox, Darrell Baker, Andrew Rupcich, Mike Brown, Otis Reese and Keondre Coburn in recent days, and I suspect the reported deal for Sebastian Joseph-Day will be coming down the pike at some point soon, too.
So, a little patience is required if you're coming to this site for free agency news during this time. Believe me, this is year 11 with the team for me, and it's still hard for me to have to wait. In my days with The Tennessean, my goal was never to be the first guy to retweet or quote tweet the national guys. I was in there swinging, breaking these stories myself, and no one can convince me it can't still be done.
While we wait, let's dive into a mailbag so we can discuss some of the developments.
And, moving forward, also keep in mind deals reported after tomorrow could be slow to show up on this web site because the decision-makers want to make sure these guys pass physicals and sign contracts before we announce them.
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Gregory Stauffer from Matthews, North Carolina
Question: The signing of Tackle Dan Moore addresses a major need, I was so excited! But when I did research, I find Dan Moore gave up more sacks than in any tackle in the NFL last year. What am I missing? They must feel Bill Callahan can fix him? What is your take? Thanks NC Titans fan!
Jim: Hey Greg. I've seen the analysis on Twitter, and the PFF stats. I'm not going to pretend I'm an o-line expert, just like some of these analysts doing the grading shouldn't pretend they know what an o-lineman or a safety or a linebacker's assignment is on every play. It's a complicated game and it's not always cut and dry who is responsible for giving up a sack or giving up a completion in the secondary. Some of these sites do a great job, but let's not treat it like it's gospel, like so many others do. I know a lot of coaches and personnel folks who scoff at these grades. I'll say this: Bill Callahan is a highly-regarded o-line coach. While Mike Borgonzi is the GM, and he's the guy making these moves, I feel pretty confident the team wouldn't have pursued Moore if Callahan didn't like him.
Steve Boxwell from Corpus Christi, Texas
Question: Jim. Hope everyone is doing well. Sure hope the left tackle they got from Pittsburgh works out. And JC Latham moved the right side believe they could have done better. I would have picked Fields as the QB and drafted the Defensive End they wanted Number one and got right guard through the draft. But will see what the Titans do for the draft. Believe last year could have won a few more games if Levis didn't throw so many interceptions if he would have taken the sack or threw the ball away and let us punt and try to stop the other team and get the ball back and hope to score. Oh well new season hopefully get to the playoffs. Have Great Day.
Jim: Good to hear from you, Steve. Maybe they could have done better? But some of the tackles who were ranked above Moore were either re-signed by their own teams, or for more money elsewhere. A lot of the other things you mentioned are still on the table, with the exception of Fields.
Julie O'Donnell from Brentwood, Tennessee
Question: Why did we sign Morgan Cox for one year only? I like him .. a lot!
Jim: Hi Julie. The team obviously likes Morgan, too, because they keep re-signing him.
Raymond Farrar from St. Louis, Missouri
Question: Hey Jim! Well! The Titans came out blazing grabbing an OT in free agency in which we desperately needed. Now that Landry is gone, I believe Abdul Carter will be our #1 pick. What say you?
Jim: I say everything is still on the table in the draft. The team needed help at edge with or without Landry.
Eric Koehler from Las Vegas, Nevada
Question: I wasn't expecting much in free agency this year considering how much was spent last year without results but overpaying for a left tackle who allowed 12 sacks last year is ridiculous. I don't think this is going to drive confidence in the fan base. How is this a good move for the team instead of building through the draft? Plus it makes it pretty obvious we are going to take Cam Ward at number 1. I hope he's a generational talent and not another Vince Young or Marcus Mariota.
Jim: What would give the fan base confidence is the new left tackle coming in and playing well. And, based on what's happened so far, I don't think anything is obvious about what could happen at 1.
Paul Steider from Cleveland, Ohio
Question: I have seen people talk about what this team should do at QB. I haven't really seen people talk about who that QB is going to throw to, though. So, for you, sir, I have three questions.
1. Is Will our franchise guy? Can he live up to his first game hype in year three? He hasn't lived up to the hype yet, and he's entering his third season while being older than T-Law.
2. If Will isn't our franchise guy, do we take Cam Ward #1 overall? He's clearly the best QB in this draft class, and he has a resume of basically dragging teams to records they didn't really deserve. I do realize that our offensive line is not the best. However, the Chiefs made the Super Bowl with basically no offensive line. If Cam has talent, he, in theory, should be able to elevate the team like C.J. and Jayden did in Houston and Washington, respectively.
3. What's the update on Westbrook-Ikhine? I haven't seen anything about his signing yet, and he's our best receiver, even over Calvin. He's proven that he's able to break a game wide open. He did it against the Commanders this past year. Are we letting him walk? Are we pulling A.J. Brown part two?
I appreciate your time, and I wanted to get your thoughts on the matter. Thank you, and have a wonderful day.
Jim: I can't say Will Levis is the "franchise guy" at this point, Paul. A lot TBD at the position still, and right now the team has only said Levis will have a chance to compete for the job. I've been around long enough to know even this could change.
The team is doing its homework on Cam Ward, and it's still early. A visit to his Pro Day in a few weeks and a private workout will certainly provide more clarity.
Westbrook-Ikhine is scheduled to become a free agent tomorrow at 3 p.m. Personally, I'm hoping the team re-signs him because I like him, and he's a great success story. But we'll have to wait and see. If he hits the market, it's not going to surprise me one bit if the Patriots, and Mike Vrabel, come after him.
Lamont Davis from Chattanooga, Tennessee
Question: Jim, do you really think Shedeur Sanders would be a good fit for Titans? In the past his father Neon Deion had a bigger than the team persona. Would this be truly good for the Titans?🤔🤔🤔🤔
Jim: Shedeur is not his dad. I've crossed paths with him a few times in this process, including in the hallway here at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park yesterday. I have no problem with his personality. He seems like a good kid to me. But it's about playing the position, not a personality contest.
Jeremy Rodriguez from Winchester, California
Question: Starting the 2025 season with some heavy lifting Jim!! I love the signing of Moore. Now with Cushenberry, Skoronski, Rupcich, and Moore, the line has definitely been upgraded. What a young group, that can grow together. If you read the tea leaves, this might be a sign of looking at a young QB to protect. Hope all is well Jim and as always TITAN UP!!
Jim: We'll see, Jeremy.
Colton Watts from Smyrna, Tennessee
Question: WE NEED TO GET CAM WARD IM TELLING YOU HE IS A ALL AROUND THREAT THEN IN THE FREE AGENCY WORK ON GETTING SOME O-LINE FOR CAM TO HAVE TIME TO THROW THEN IN THE PRESEASON PLAY WILL LEVIS AND SEE AND LET HIM DEVELOP AND IF HE DOESNT FIT THE TEAM CUT HIM. THATS HOW WE CAN WIN AND EVENTULY MAKE THE PLAYOFFS
Jim: I'm loving all the different opinions in here.
Have a great week everyone!
