NASHVILLE – When veteran safety Amani Hooker looks around, he sees a lot of newness.
New head coach, new defensive coordinator, new position coach, and plenty of new faces around him on the defense.
Hooker, heading into his sixth season with the Titans, wants to do his part to help lead the way.
"It's all about accountability, with me as well," Hooker said. "This is all new for me – it's a new style, a new defense, new scheme, so just like everyone else is learning, I am doing the same thing.
"But my job is to make sure everyone learns at a progressive level and we're doing it together as a unit."
Hooker is the second-longest tenured Titan alongside defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, behind only outside linebacker Harold Landry. Hooker and Simmons were part of the 2019 draft class, and they've been mainstays ever since.
Before looking ahead, Hooker looked back at last season, and it reminded him of things he can do better moving forward.
"(Things I can) improve on is having ball disruption, getting my hands on the ball, whether that is interceptions, pass break-ups, forced fumbles," Hooker said. "Overall, just being the best overall safety I can be. I know I have a long road to get there, but I know my capabilities are there and I just have to improve this offseason and help my guys around me."
In five NFL seasons, Hooker has played in 66 games, with 37 starts. He's tallied 245 tackles, seven interceptions, and 22 passes defenses, along with two quarterback pressures and two forced fumbles.
In 2023, while playing in 13 games, Hooker totaled 80 tackles and an interception, along with three tackles for a loss.
Hooker said he's excited about the additions the team has made around him, including the addition of veteran cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie.
"We have two dogs – we have Chido and Sneed out there," Hooker said. "I can't wait to go full speed with them, with the pads on. I have been watching them make plays for the other team against us, so I am excited that they're on our team now and it's going to be a lot of fun.
"These guys have proven they can be in the right position to make the plays, and when I'm out there I am able to do my job now, and start searching for plays as they come to me. Knowing you have guys that are aggressive out there, it makes me as a safety have that same mentality that they have and bring it to our defense."
Hooker said he's also fired up about new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, and the mindset he's preaching.
Across the board, Hooker said guys are excited, and they see opportunities, whether they're new to the team, or been around several years like himself.
"I'll just say it's a lot more aggressive," Hooker said of the defense. "It has been aggressive there's times when it can be aggressive and there's times when not to, so our coaches are doing a good job teaching that."
