As a looming deadline forces difficult cuts, Tennessee’s coaching staff weighs the fate of undrafted standouts and evaluates a high-stakes quarterback battle for the final roster spots.
The Tennessee Titans are entering one of the hardest parts about NFL training camp.
The Titans ended their preseason with a 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears at Nissan Stadium. Now it's time to make the tough decisions.
The Titans have until 5 p.m. CT on Sunday to get their roster down to 53 players.
We'll see how many of the undrafted free agents and free agents the Titans signed make the active roster. The UDFA class for the Titans features Tyren Montgomery, Hank Beatty, Bishop Fitzgerald, Aamil Wagner, Rasheed Miller, Mani Powell and Jalen McMurray.
Countless free agents have joined the Titans this offseason.
For Robert Saleh and the Titans, it won't be easy. The good news is that most of the decisions on the roster have already been made, according to the head coach.
He revealed this at the press conference following Saturday night's game.
"Yeah, most of them are made, but there's still going to be 10 or so guys where we're going to go back and just, you know, the decisions have to be made," Saleh said. "And this is always the hardest part of camp, you know? There's so many guys who, you know, you're telling them for the last time that it's probably over versus there's some guys who you just know will get claimed or they know, you know, their season's over their career is not over. And those conversations, those are hard conversations regardless of who you have them with, but it's been over 20 years in this league and never gets easier."
They have been great storylines to follow for a few Titans players in the preseason. Montgomery stands out after his unique journey to the NFL.
He didn't play football until a few years ago and ended up at John Caroll after transferring from Nicholls State. Now, he's at the Titans with the hopes of making the roster.
Luckily for him, the Titans have favored UDFA receivers lately. Mason Kinsey, Bryce Oliver and Xavier Restrepo have made the roster recently after coming in as UDFAs.
There's also the looming decision with the quarterbacks.
Cam Ward and Mitchell Trubisky have cemented their spots on the team. The real decision is what to do with Will Levis and Hendon Hooker.
Levis has had a fall from grace after starting for the Titans in part of 2023 and 2024. He missed all of last season due to shoulder surgery and possibly played his last game in a Titans uniform on Saturday.
Hooker has consistently been the last QB to enter preseason games for the Titans, but he made many good plays on Saturday night.
There has also been a battle for the No. 3 running back spot. Nicholas Singleton, Michael Carter, Kalel Mullings, D'Ernest Johnson and Julius Chestnut remain on the roster at running back.
Those are just some of the many decisions that the Titans have to make before Sunday at 5 p.m. CT.
For some, their Titans journey is going to end while others will be just beginning.
