NASHVILLE – With Super Bowl LVIII now in the rear-view mirror, the 2023 NFL season is now officially in the books.
The Titans, the Chiefs, and everyone else are now gearing up for the 2024 season.
I'm back in Nashville, ready for what's next.
Starting with this Tuesday's Titans mailbag…
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Luis Montez from Stanton, Texas
Question: My question is about the King, Derrick 'KING' Henry. I am hoping Amy brings Derrick back & he finishes his career as a TITAN. Derrick has been doing his job & getting his.1000 plus yards year in & year out, even when his offensive line has played poorly & the offensive coaching has faltered.
I have been a fan of the then, Houston Oilers & now Tennessee Titans for over 50 years & if Derrick leaves the team, so will I. I will follow whatever team he goes to.
Jim: Hello Luis. This has been the most popular topic in the mailbag of late. The reality is, it's too soon to know how this will play out. New head coach Brian Calahan's priority right now is to put together his coaching staff, and free agency is still over a month away. I asked Derrick at the Pro Bowl about a potential return, and he said he'd love to come back. GM Ran Carthon and Callahan have both indicated publicly they're open to having Derrick back. But we don't know what other teams might offer him, so it's hard to gauge what his market is, and even what the Titans might be willing to pay to make it happen. I can promise you everyone around here respects and appreciates Derrick Henry, no matter what happens. … As for your fandom, you've been a fan for 50 years and now you're ready to bail if Derrick Henry goes somewhere else? I'll be honest, I don't get that line of thinking.
Jonathan Nelson from Clarksville, Tennessee
Question: Hi, been a hot minute since I wrote. I just wanna know, how will you rebuild? Derrick Henry and DeAndre Hopkins is the centerpiece of the Titan offense and with Kevin Byard to the Eagles (which was stupid), Jeffery Simmons and Harold Landry III are the best defensive players. If Brian Callahan wants to prove himself, he needs to show he can at least get 1 or 2 seasons that can get us in the playoffs. Our o-line got folded this season, so how is this gonna work? I also wanna be a RB for you guys after college when I turn 22 in 10 years. You guys are my favorite team. But if you keep on having losing seasons people will say to go to somewhere else and that being with you guys is a waste of potential. How is this gonna work out? And can you tell Henry he's my favorite player all-time.
Jim: Heading into last year, I didn't consider the Titans to be in full rebuild mode like a lot of others did. As I've said in here many times – including during the season – the 2023 Titans underachieved. Too many blown games turned it into a real failure of a season. I wasn't expecting a Super Bowl, but I also wasn't thinking the team would finish 6-11, and in last place in the AFC South. But that's what happened… So, how do you rebuild? One draft class, and free agency class, at a time. The cupboard isn't bare by any stretch, but with a new coach, changes are coming. … As for the Byard trade, as much as I like Kevin, that trade wasn't stupid. Take your emotions out of it. The Titans got two draft picks in exchange for Byard, who wouldn't have been able to keep the Titans from finishing 6-11. Ask the folks in Philadelphia what they think about that trade now. At the Super Bowl, I talked to several folks who cover the Eagles, and they thought the Titans got the better end of the deal.
LT Samuel Gaston from USS Carl Vinson
Question: Love reading your mailbag. I've been a Titans fan since the day my dad got me a Steve McNair jersey for Christmas in 2001. I'm now a pilot in the Navy and have been deployed since week 4 of the season and this has been the most disconnected I've ever felt from the team and the NFL season in my life, perhaps for good reason given the outcome of the season. We get internet out here but often times it's spotty and unreliable. I found out about 7 days late that Coach Vrabel was fired. I was terribly shocked and upset at my family for not writing to let me know the news. Man, it took me a few days to digest it and come to terms with the reality of him being gone. I know your inbox is full of fellas who share my same sentiments, so I'm just gonna refrain from sharing my thoughts.
Do you believe that Coach Vrabel could have given the Titans a championship with a healthy roster? What did you see from him that limited the team's potential? Do you think Malik Willis has a fighting chance to win the starting job next year? Shoutout to Derrick Henry! The freakin' KING!!! I hope you get a Super Bowl wherever you go and that greater success follows you! Long live the King! And shoutout to Tannethrill! He came in and was clutch for a good time. Thank him for his time here.
Jim, one more thing... The Titans do this dog adoption push every year, I don't know the name of it but you know what I'm talking about. I know you likely don't have a say in this, but perhaps more Titans fans can get on board with this: can we push for human adoption? Who doesn't love a dog!? Yet how much more of an impact would the Titans be making on the community of Nashville if they got Tennesseans to adopt humans? Ask Tennessee to do the hard thing! The hard thing and the right thing are usually the same thing. Aint hard to adopt a dog...
Titan Up, Jim!!
Jim: Great to hear from you, LT Sam. And, thank you for your service. I know it took some folks time to process the Vrabel firing, and some of his biggest supporters are still coming to grips with it. I get the sense a lot of fans are back on board after the Callahan hire. Now, he'll have to prove himself.
Now, for some answers to your questions:
Do you believe that Coach Vrabel could have given the Titans a championship with a healthy roster? Well, he had a championship-caliber roster in 2019 and 2021, and neither of those teams produced a Vince Lombardi trophy. Heck, the 2021 team didn't even win a playoff game. Vrabel had a talented squad in 2020 as well, and that team lost in the first round of the playoffs. I'm not going to sit here and pretend Vrabel has had rosters overflowing with talent the past two seasons, but he had several rosters capable of making it to the Super Bowl, and that didn't happen for one reason or another. As for Malik Willis, no I don't see him competing for a starting spot next year. … Love the adoption shout-out, a good cause for sure.
Stay safe out there!
Antonio Burgess from Edinburgh, Texas
Question: Who am I…I am a Titan. First, and foremost "Titan Up", diehard Titans fan. Born and raised in Memphis, TN, now residing in Edinburg, TX. I remember the Music City Miracle, I remember SB XXXIV, and I remember one yard short. I also remember this season…we win together and we lose together. I don't want to bore you, so I'll keep this brief, I understand how extremely challenging it is to win a game in the NFL, let alone a Super Bowl…but I hope to see my Tennessee Titans win a Championship before I died (I mean this literally). I was diagnosed with Polymyositis and I have a heart condition. And if you know anything about this disease, the muscles wither away (muscles around the organs, also). This is not a pity party nor a crying game, for this is a battle cry, a call to rally. Like I explained earlier in this passage I want nothing more than to see the "Titans" bring the Lombardi Trophy to the state of Tennessee. I'm sure this sentiment is felt throughout Titans Country. I remember working at Pro lmage, a sports memorabilia store at the Southland Mall in Memphis, and I received an autographed bumper sticker from Steve "Air" McNair via his aunt. How grateful I was to accept such a gift and that day was forever in engraved in my heart. Lastly, I leave you with this, as I write this passage to the Titans organization I say this with Tennessee Pride "He who is brave, is free", I believe we are brave and I know we are free. I have spoke my peace and I've asked for a lot…but if my request is fulfilled, Titans Country will forever be thankful and the organization will be etched in Super Bowl lore. Previously as expressed, I want nothing more than to see the "Titans" win the Super Bowl before I die…
Jim: Good to hear from you, Antonio.
Donovan Romaine from Corona, California
Question: Hello Jim - Can you please ask Ms. Amy when we can expect to see red socks with either the white tops/titan blue pants or with the all white uniforms? Thanks!
Jim: I'll drop her a hint the next time I see her, Donovan…
Robert Andrews from Ocean City, Maryland
Question: Ima take a break from all the coaching questions. Do you think the Titans will ever do the retro logo from 1961-1968? With blue and silver uniforms?
Jim: I don't see that happening, Robert.
Thomas Yates from Lillamay, Tennessee
Question: Avid reader of the mailbag here and fully appreciate the hard work you devote to the fan base.
I would like to share a story: the late Reggie White was looking for a new team to sign with after the Eagles and met with Mike Holmgren and others with Green Bay for a visit. Though Green Bay wasn't of much interest to White he gave the time, and later found a message on his machine from Holmgren that simply said "Reggie, this is God. Come to Green Bay."
The rest is history.
I've noticed that Derrick Henry is devout similarly as RW and would like to share the same message…
Derrick, this is God, stay with Tennessee and Titan up!
Thanks again, Jim, keep up the good work and I'm looking forward to the upcoming season.
Jim: Thanks for writing in, Thomas.
Alberto Armando Tellez Salcedo from Durango, Mexico
Question: Hola Jim, me ha gustado mucho el nuevo staff que estan formando mis Titans, HC Brian Callahan A, OC Nick Holz B-, QB Bo Hardegree A, RB Randy Jordan A-, WR Tyke Tolbert B+, TE Justin Outten B, OL Bill Callahan A+, DC Dennard Wilson A, DL Vacante, LB Frank Bush A, CB Chris Harris A, Safeties Steve Jackson A-, ST Vacante.
Te mando lo que me gustaria que hicieran comenzando con los Agentes Libres me quedaria unicamente con Derrick Henry y con Denico Autry.
Con los $73,905,424.00 de espacio salarial (Spotrac), iria por Michael Pittman Jr. o Tee Higgins como plan A, Marquise Brown o Curtis Samuel Plan B, Mike Evans o Calvin Ridley Plan C, Gabriel Davis o Tyler Boyd plan D. Me gustaria que fueran por un edge que podria ser Josh Allen, Brian Burns, Bryce Huff o Chase Young. De apoyador interior me gustaria Patrick Queen, Devin White o Frankie Luvu. Esquinero Jaylon Johnson, L´Jarius Sneed o Kendall Fuller y finalmente OG Robert Hunt o Kevin Dotson. Elifiria a 5 jugadores de los mencionados de cada posición.
Cortaria al LT Andre Dillard, CB Caleb Farley y al LB Luke Gifford.
El Draft 2024 de acuerdo a nuestras necesidades seria y disponibilidad:
Round Selection Player Position College
1 7 Joe Alt LT Notre Dame
2 38 Jackson Powers-Johnson C Oregon
4 106 Jalen McMillan WR Washington
5 144 Cam Hart CB Notre Dame
6 183 Dallin Holker TE Colorado State
7 218 Jaheim Bell RB Florida State
7 239 Brennan Jackson ER Washington State
En el Plan B estarian Rd1 LT Olu Fashanu, Penn State, Rd2 CB Kalen King, Penn State, Rd4 WR Roman Wilson, Michigan, Rd5 Edge Cedric Johnson, Mississippi, Rd6 TE AJ Barner, Michigan, Rd7 RB Kendall Milton, Georgia, RD8 OG Layden Robinson, Teaxas A&M. Otros posibles Rd4 OG Christian Haynes, Connecticut.
Como vez Jim esto es en un escenario realista, espero que llegue a verlo el GM Ran Carthon y nuestro HC Brian Callahan, felicidades a la dueña Amy Adams Strunk por hacer los cambios necesarios para poder aspirar a ganar un Super Bowl en el mediano plazo. Esperemos que para el 2027 que se inaugure el nuevo estadio, sea propuesto para el Super Bowl en febrero del 2028 y mis Titans por fin nos den lo que tanto soñamos. Desde Mexico siempre apoyando al equipo de los dos tonos de azul. Felicidades por tus ya casi 9 años en la institucion, esperemos que sean muchos mas.
Jim: Hola Alberto. Creo que el entrenador Callahan también ha formado un buen personal. Con suerte, como equipo, podremos anunciar pronto a algunos de esos muchachos que mencionaste. Y aprecio los consejos de la agencia libre. Haces algunas sugerencias interesantes. Y felicitaciones por la clase de draft. Parece que has estado pensando mucho en todo esto. Que tengas una buena semana.
Rod Peckett from Rockhampton, Old, Australia
Question: The most enjoyable part of the last season for me was the return of the Oiler Uniform. Most fans, except for those at Houston largely saw it as a positive. Could it be a possibility that they get a start every year? I don't want to see them used when we play against Houston - wouldn't it be better to save them for our traditional OG opponents from the AFC Central - Bengals, Browns and Steelers. I know we don't play them every year, but this last season we did. I wouldn't care even if it was the away trip - but at home the Titans could wear that Beautiful Blue and turn the new stadium into a modern "House of Pain" when visited by those teams. Just a thought.
Jim: I hear ya, Rod. Not sure what games the team might break them out against next season, but I've heard nothing but positive reviews about them in here.
Chris Gregg from Parrotsville, Tennessee
Question: I was wondering will you ever have the Titans caravan again ? I really enjoyed going to it ! I always went to the one in Knoxville TN. Thank you for your time.
Jim: Hate to say it, Chris, but I don't see it coming back in its old form. I think you'll see the Titans continuing to do community outreach, but I can't see the caravan like it used to be coming back.
Mason Evans from Chicago, Illinois
Question: Dear: Tennessee Titans Hello I am a 12 year old mega fan from Chicago Illinois. My question is how could I become the Tennessee Titans ball boy? I am only a 12 year old boy but I think I would be the best ball boy ever. I may not be the fastest but I do got some hands. I do have CMT witch makes me slower but I'm a little fast but not really ☹️. From: Mason Evans/Hopefully the next Titans Ball Boy 😁🏈
Jim: It sounds to me like you'd be great at it, Mason. But the team doesn't have regular "ball boys." If we end up hiring, I know who to look to for help. Thanks for writing in.
Have a great week everyone!
