NASHVILLE – On the eve of the official start of free agency, NFL fans everywhere are targeting top players for their favorite team.
I know Titans fans are doing the same.
So, what's in store in Tennessee?
Well, we've already seen plenty of buzz this week, and contracts reportedly agreed to across the NFL.
Let's keep the conversation going as we get ready to welcome in a new league year on Wednesday…
Here's the link to ask questions: CLICK HERE
Steve Seburn from Haileybury, Ontario Canada
Question: Hi Jim, grateful for reading your Q&As and can appreciate the limits you have on commenting on announced trades (or new deals) until the new league year starts. That said, what has JRob been doing this offseason? I just read Jonnu is going to the Pats, again understand you can't confirm nor deny these, but it seems like this FA he's a little gun-shy?
Jim: Hey Steve. Like everyone else, I've seen the reports from the national guys about players signing here and there so far in free agency, which hasn't even officially started yet. The Titans have been mentioned in the comings and goings as well. So here are the NFL rules that went into effect on Monday, leading up to Wednesday, when free agency officially starts: "During the two-day negotiating period, a new club cannot: (1) execute an NFL Player Contract; (2) execute an agreement in principle or other similar document; (3) announce that an agreement in principle or other similar agreement has been reached; or (4) violate the provisions of Article 14, Section 1 of the CBA, pertaining to undisclosed terms." So, that means no contracts or trades can be announced by teams before Wednesday. It could be even longer, pending physicals. That's why you haven't seen the Titans social media accounts, or my Twitter account, post anything about these reported deals. But trust me, JRob has been plenty busy.
Rodney Dixon from Richmond, Virginia
Question: Hey Jim, I am sooooo ready for football to start up again. I know you get a lot of fans who have disagreed with the Titans decisions of the front office to part ways with some of the veteran players that have been on the roster thus far due to salary cap constraints. I feel that the Titans need more speed on the defensive side of the ball as well as edge help. They also need an infusion of youth in some positions. General Manager Jon Robinson will figure out a way to improve this team as that is what he is paid to do AND HE DOES IT WELL. Let's Titan Up and get ready for some football!
Jim: Get your popcorn ready, Rodney.
Timmy Rever from Kansas City, Missouri
Question: Jim, I'm starting to fret over Corey Davis. I've believed he was our WR1 until AJ came on the scene, just had some bad luck. Last season it looked like PFF graded him well all year long. How high is priority CD for the team compared to our other free agents? What's your gut tell you about his future with the club?
Jim: Hey Timmy. I'm sure you've seen the reports linking Corey to the Jets. Again, keep in mind teams aren't allowed to announce anything until Wednesday at the earliest. But I don't expect him back with the Titans.
Markees Serrano from Des Moines, Iowa
Question: Hey! Just wanted to get some thoughts and opinions off my chest on how we should attack the remaining free agents and what you think?
1. We NEED to resign Jayon Brown. He was arguably our best defender along with Jeffrey Simmons.
2. Let Clowney walk. Yes the upside and potential is there but just too inconsistent.
3. I'm actually more impressed with our DB room than most if Adoree can stay healthy. Cutting Butler was a good move imo as it saves cap and maybe he comes back later in FA on a cheaper deal. You get Adoree and hope Fulton steps up. Try to resign King at a good price and I loved Breon Borders play last year. Hooker should slide in for Vaccaro and continue to progress.
4. Unfortunately resigning Brown and King would likely mean we don't have money for Davis but that is okay because this draft is very deep and talented at WR in my opinion. (I really like Terrace Marshall out of LSU, kind of reminds me of AJ)
I could blabber on forever because I love the Titans and could talk Titans all day but I'll stop now! I think I'll be writing in to the mailbag a lot more frequently
Jim: Hey Markees. Good to hear from you, and thanks for dropping your thoughts here…
Ray Crisara from New York, New York
Question: Hey Jim. I'm a huge fan of you, huge fan of the franchise. Since 1977 to be exact. Seen highs and lows. I respect Jon Robinson and Mike Vrabel, and think we are trending in the right direction. But we have to acknowledge how BAD last offseason was. Was it a complete surprise that Jadaveon Clowney didn't make it thru an entire season? AGAIN. That when he was on the field, he didn't generate that many sacks? AGAIN. That not picking up a 5th year option (on Davis) was a mistake? AGAIN. That a college prospect with characters issues proved to be a bad investment? AGAIN. (Granted, Isaiah Wilson was even worse than anyone could have expected, but why take a 1st round swing on a guy with character issues? Other teams took him off the board because they KNEW he was bad news) Why didn't we have a full-time DC? It came off as arrogance on the part of Coach Vrabel. Why didn't we try to sign Logan Ryan, when it became obvious he wasn't going to get anywhere near what he was looking for? We didn't even talk to him. And he had a great season with the Giants and got paid as a result. I just think we need to be realistic about how bad some of these decisions were last season. And I know you are going to say "Well we won the division for the first time since 2008 and had two more wins..." But a lot of that has to do with the fact that Houston absolutely imploded last year and the Jags were literally the worst team in football.
Jim: Appreciate it, Ray. I'm not going to pretend there weren't some misses last season – Beasley was a bust, and Wilson has proven to be a mistake, too. Most folks loved the Clowney acquisition, until he got hurt. Not picking up the 5th year option on Davis was not a mistake – it would've meant a $15 million cap hit for the Titans, which was always going to be way too much. I agree with your take on Logan Ryan, who was missed. But it was a financial decision, and if Adoree' Jackson and Kristian Fulton had stayed healthy you might not have included Logan in this. Because no one is questioning the team's decision to trade a high-priced Jurrell Casey any more after his injury-shortened 2020 season. And while no one is satisfied with just winning the division, let's not dismiss it like it was nothing, and that it happened just because the Texans and Jaguars were bad. The Titans had to beat out a pretty good Colts team to do something that hadn't been done since 2008.
Billy Holton from Chattanooga, Tennessee
Question: Hello, Mr. Wyatt, I hope you and your family are well. I eagerly await your bi-weekly mailbag each week. Thanks so much for all you do. I wanted to congratulate Mike Keith on the much deserved promotion. When I first read the headline I was scared he was moving out of the announcer's booth. Crisis averted. I also wanted to extend a message to our beloved fans, in my Aaron Rodgers voice, for P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E. We are navigating uncharted waters this offseason and wanted to point out why we all need to be patient with JR Shrewd, our amazing GM. The new cap is low and most all NFL teams will be dumping players to get in compliance. There is no reason, at this point, to think more fans will be in stadiums this fall, so the cap will likely stay depressed next year as well. No in-person offseason last year will lead many veterans to wait to sign this year, and agents will take some time to adjust to new salary expectations for their clients. This will also lead to many vets signing much later in the offseason. These circumstances will probably carry over to next year, so while everyone adjusts to the new norm, stay patient and positive, Titan Nation.
Jim: Hey Billy. Mike deserves the props. It's been a heck of an offseason for him. Not only did he get Vice President added to his title, he also found out he's getting inducted to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame last week. And, by the way, I like your patience and positivity mindset.
Jimmy Dee from Battle Ground, Washington
Question: Jim, I don't know if I've already said it but I just want to express my displeasure that the NFL has decided to reduce the cap at the exact moment in time when my favorite team gets inside its' SB window. I think the NFL needs to find a way to add to the cap this year or the off-season is going to hurt some teams a lot this year. It just doesn't seem right.
Jim: Hey Jimmy. Every team has to deal with the reduced cap, just like both teams have to deal with the poor conditions in bad weather. It's a no excuses league and teams have to find a way to get it done or else.
Xander Maynard from Signal Mountain, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, I have a couple questions for you.
1. Do you think that the Titans will re-sign DaQuan Jones?
2. Will they re-sign Corey Davis of Jonnu Smith?
3. Do you think that they might try to get Juju Smith-Schuster in free agency?
Thanks Jim!
Jim: What's up Xander?
Some quick answers:
1- I think the team would love to, but I'm not optimistic.
2- No and no.
3- I think Juju will be too pricey.
Jesiah Scarberry from Huntingdon, West Virginia
Question: Can you give us a quick summary on how free agency works? Is it bidding? Or is it players choice?
Jim: Hey Jesiah. It's a combination of a lot of things, and the answer is different for different players. Yes, some of it comes down to money. But players also made decisions on opportunities, the culture, whether a team is a contender, the city, etc.
David Maniaci from Honolulu, Hawaii
Question: Aloha Jim. In all my years as a Titans fan, the defense has won me over until 2020 happened. Jim, let's get real here, coaches around the league have gotten fired for having better defenses than ours. You know as well as I, it doesn't matter who we bring in and how many millions are spent on players if the coaching and training are not there to make it work... So question: Why did Pees decide to start fresh with another team rather than come back to familiar faces? Also, a strong observation, people who can play defense don't mean they can coach it. Lastly, I would almost welcome Jeff Fisher back with open arms as DC. Would that be a possibility? Mahalo for your infinite wisdom.
Jim: Aloha Dave. Dean Pees didn't have the same opportunity moving forward in Tennessee compared to the one he got in Atlanta. And Jeff Fisher returning is not a possibility.
Joe Levickis from Joelton, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim! I'm excited to learn how our roster will be shaped over the next few months as most of us are. Looking at our roster, it appears we're getting a little long in the tooth in our O-Line room. What is your sense of how the team feels about it's reserve guys like Sambrailo, Brewer and Quessenberry? You'd like to think we might add some youth into the room with 4 of the projected 5 starters looking to be over 30 this fall. Nate Davis is the only guy still on his first deal and he's been awesome.
Jim: Hey Joe. There will be changes on the offensive line, with additions. I'm curious to see how things are going to play out up front myself. The team was pleased with the play of Sambrailo, Brewer and Quessenberry, I know that. But some new players will be added to compete, and I expect additions in free agency and in the draft.
Have a great week everyone!
