Fresh off a massive 164-tackle breakout, the former fourth-round pick is attacking Robert Saleh’s new defensive scheme to transform from a rising star into an elite NFL force.
The Tennessee Titans have an interesting situation brewing at linebacker this offseason.
Cedric Gray and Cody Barton were the starters last season, and both had a solid year. Gray had a monster breakout season, recording 164 total tackles, one sack, seven TFLs and two fumble recoveries.
Barton had 81 total tackles, three interceptions, one sack and four TFLs in his first year with the Titans.
This offseason, the Titans added linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. out of Texas in the 2026 NFL Draft. He has been predicted to take over Barton's starting job as a rookie by ESPN.
Gray is expected to reprise his role as one of the starters at linebacker on Robert Saleh's defense. While everyone has been talking about whether Hill can overtake Barton, Gray is remaining focused on becoming a better, more well-rounded player.
According to Titans Insider Jim Wyatt, Gray wants to put together a more complete game.
"The biggest thing for me this offseason is I want to put a complete game together," Gray said. "I feel like I improved from my rookie year to last year and became a pretty good player. Now I want to become a complete player. I want to be an elite player in this league. So, I'm just attacking everything. I've been trying to grow overall and really become a complete linebacker in this league."
It's a great sign that Gray broke out in just his second season in the NFL. He was a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of North Carolina.
He didn't see the field very much as a rookie, but eventually broke his way into the linebacker rotation. Gray finished with 22 total tackles in seven games played.
Gray is one of the returning players for the Titans, despite a big offseason of change. On defense alone, it looks like the Titans could have plenty of new starters.
John Franklin-Myers, Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott are from free agency. Before free agency, the Titans traded for New York Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson.
Tennessee selected defensive prospects Keldric Faulk, Hill and Jackie Marshall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The team is also switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense, with Robert Saleh now in place as head coach. With all those changes, it will be important for Gray to continue improving as he adapts to the new system.
We could be seeing Gray grow up right before our very eyes. The sky is truly the limit for him if he keeps adding more layers to his game.
