In a surprising turn of events, the Tennessee Titans have opted to part ways with veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie after just one season, despite having signed him to a promising three-year deal last spring.
The move comes after the team made significant changes, including bringing in a new general manager, Mike Borgonzi, and securing the top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Awuzie, who was expected to play a key role in the Titans’ defensive plans, will now be heading elsewhere.
A Risky Investment
Awuzie’s signing seemed like a bold decision at the time, with the Titans investing heavily in their secondary.
The cornerback was guaranteed $23 million in the deal, which could have maxed out at $36 million if he met all contract conditions.
However, the decision proved costly, especially as the 29-year-old struggled with injuries.
Awuzie played only seven games in his first season with the Titans, recording one interception, four passes defended, a forced fumble, and 26 tackles before being placed on injured reserve.
Moving Forward with a New Strategy
Borgonzi, who was previously with the Kansas City Chiefs, is now focused on rebuilding the Titans.
The team made several moves in recent days, including cutting ties with linebacker Harold Landry III.
Landry, who had been with the Titans for several years and earned a Pro Bowl selection, was released to save on salary cap space.
This allowed the Titans to bolster their defense by signing linebacker Cody Barton to a three-year contract.
Tennessee also traded linebacker Kenneth Murray to Dallas, further reshaping their defensive lineup for the upcoming season.
Barton will now work behind defensive stars like Jeffery Simmons, T’Vondre Sweat, and newly signed Dre’Mont Jones.
Offensive Line Improvements
Recognizing their need to strengthen the offensive line, the Titans made significant moves in free agency. They secured left tackle Dan Moore with a four-year deal and brought in right guard Kevin Zeitler for a one-year contract. With JC Latham moving to the right side after starting all 17 games at left tackle, the Titans hope to address their major issues with pass protection, which saw them allow 52 sacks in the 2024 season.
Special Teams Shakeup
The Titans also made changes in their special teams unit, swapping punters.
They signed 17-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowler Johnny Hekker to replace Ryan Stonehouse, who had set top records in punting averages.
This change comes as the team continues to revamp their roster across various positions.
Quarterback Depth Added
In an interesting move, the Titans added journeyman quarterback Brandon Allen to their roster.
The 32-year-old spent last season as a backup to Brock Purdy in San Francisco, and has previously played for Denver, Cincinnati, and the 49ers.
Allen, who has started 10 of his 18 career games, will compete for a backup role behind Will Levis, the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 draft.
Levis started the 2024 season as the Titans’ starter but was benched for Mason Rudolph, who has since left the team to return to Pittsburgh.
Looking Ahead to the Draft
With the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft, the Titans are positioning themselves for a major overhaul.
They’ve already met with two of the top quarterback prospects, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, as they prepare to make their selection in April.
The changes in free agency signal that the team is ready to make bold moves in the pursuit of improvement, both on defense and offense, as they prepare for the 2025 NFL season.
Re-Signing Center Corey Levin
In addition to these moves, the Titans also re-signed center Corey Levin, a sixth-round pick from the 2017 draft.
Levin has appeared in 71 games for Tennessee, starting five, and will continue to provide depth and experience along the offensive line as the team looks to rebuild for the future.