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Tennessee Titans’ offensive core ranked dead last in NFL

Published

4 months ago

July 8, 2025

Tennessee Titans’ offensive core ranked dead last in NFL

After laying an egg on offense during the 2024 season, the Tennessee Titans have made significant changes to their offense for the 2025 season. Armed with a new quarterback in rookie first overall selection Cam Ward, a rebuilt receiver group, and an upgraded offensive line, head coach Brian Callahan is hoping that this new unit outperforms what he coordinated in his first year as head coach.

The performance of the new-look unit remains unknown as the team heads into training camp, with multiple questions left unanswered.

With all of the uncertainty, it is no surprise to see the Titans’ offense ranked at the bottom of the core position group rankings compiled by Bill Barnwell of ESPN.

32. Tennessee Titans
2024 rank: 19 | 2023 rank: 29
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Tony Pollard looked better than he did while recovering from a fractured fibula with the Cowboys in 2023, but Tennessee’s lead back ranked 20th out of the 23 players with at least 200 carries in success rate. The receiving efficiency he showed in Dallas before the injury didn’t come back, either, as he often was reduced to a safety valve. Tyjae Spears had a better success rate, but virtually no explosiveness; just two of Spears’ 84 carries went for more than 12 yards. The hope will have to be that an improved offensive line and another year under legendary assistant coach Bill Callahan will unlock the run game.
No. 1 pick Cam Ward’s group of receivers are … well-seasoned. Tyler Lockett, 32, was a cap casualty in Seattle whose numbers were way down during his final year with the Seahawks. He joins to link up with 30-year-old Calvin Ridley, who was better moving around the formation in Tennessee after being trapped on the outside in Jacksonville, but he dropped seven passes and wasn’t always the reliable target a struggling group of quarterbacks needed. Van Jefferson, a second-round pick in 2020, might be valued for his blocking and professionalism, but he has averaged 0.7 yards per route run over the past two seasons. This feels like a group where there could be three new starters in 2026.
Rookie fourth-rounder Elic Ayomanor has the upside to push for a starting role and a leg up on a division rival; his best game at Stanford came in 2023, when a fair amount of his 294 receiving yards came past, over and through Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter, who will see Ayomanor twice a year with the Jaguars.

In breaking down the methodology behind the rankings, a significant portion of the weight was placed on the wide receiver group, where the Titans have numerous unanswered questions. Calvin Ridley is the only established threat in the system and has been working overtime to build chemistry with Ward. After Ridley, how things shake out is uncertain.

The Titans spent the majority of the offseason reshaping the unit within the building; how they perform on the field once the season starts remains to be seen. Their veteran acquisitions were not game-changing, although the additions of Van Jefferson and Tyler Lockett may be more beneficial in the locker room as they bring along some talented young receivers in Bryce Oliver, Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor, and Xavier Restrepo. While there is potential for success within this group, until it happens, Barnwell’s analysis is spot on.

The Titans’ offense is expected to benefit from an improved offensive line in 2025, which should have a significant impact on the success of both the running and passing games. Tennessee fielded one of the worst units in the league in 2024, and the changes they have made should have them trending in the right direction.

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What Danny White is looking for in next Tennessee baseball coach after Tony Vitello exit

Published

7 hours ago

October 23, 2025

Press Room

What Danny White is looking for in next Tennessee baseball coach after Tony Vitello exit

Danny White is searching for the next Tennessee baseball coach at an uncommon time of year and in an unusual situation.

The totality of the situation following Tony Vitello vacating the post to become the manager of the San Francisco Giants has White taking a comprehensive look at the search.

“I’m going into this with open eyes,” White said.

White has made six hires at Tennessee, including for two of the most prominent programs. He’s now looking to fill one of the other most prominent positions on campus and replacing arguably the most popular Vols coach.

He has appointed pitching coach Frank Anderson as the interim coach and asked associate head coach Josh Elander to be a candidate for the position.

As he enters the search, White said he has “nothing specific” he is looking for in a candidate. He wants his first “data point” to come from talking to the leaders of the baseball team.

“I still want to hear their perspective, learn from that and then go into the process, but I don’t have anything particular in mind,” White said.

White’s search differs from his previous ones at Tennessee and is unique in its circumstances. Vitello’s departure is the first time an MLB franchise has hired a college baseball coach with no prior MLB experience. It also comes less than 18 months after the Vols won the national title, whereas his other coaching hires all followed necessary change.

Heupel’s six hires are football coach Josh Heupel, Lady Vols basketball coach Kim Caldwell, women’s soccer coach Joe Kirt, rowing coach Kim Cupini, cross country coach Justin Duncan and track and field coach Duane Ross.

The most consistent pattern in White’s hires stems from the choices of Heupel, Caldwell, Cupini and Ross. All four were winners lower levels and proved they could build high-level programs as head coaches.

Heupel was White’s first hire. He previously hired Heupel to coach at UCF then brought him to Tennessee shortly after he was named the athletics director. Heupel brought a big offense and questions about recruiting, but put the latter to rest at Tennessee.

Caldwell is White’s most notable choice since Heupel. White moved on from former coach Kellie Harper in April 2024 then quickly hired Caldwell. Caldwell had only one year of head coaching experience at the Division I level, but had won a national title at the Division II level and has been a high-level winner in her whole career. She brought an elite offensive system with her.

Kirt’s hiring perhaps most similar mirrors the baseball situation. He was an internal candidate after Brian Pensky dashed to Florida State. White went through the process but ultimately chose to appoint Kirt the coach instead of an outside hire.

Cupini was a proven program-builder. She built a successful program at San Diego then was a winner at SMU, where she was before she was hired at Tennessee. She won three AAC titles at SMU and the Mustangs to three consecutive NCAA Championship appearances.

Ross has a similar background, having led North Carolina A&T from 2012-22 and creating the program into a winner. He brought head coaching experience.

Duncan was a pivotal assistant at Oklahoma State, which fielded one of the nations best distance programs.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.

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Will Calvin Ridley play vs Colts? Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans injury report Week 8

Published

1 day ago

October 22, 2025

Press Room

Will Calvin Ridley play vs Colts? Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans injury report Week 8

The Indianapolis Colts (6-1) host the Tennessee Titans (1-6) in NFL Week 8 action on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025.

The Colts hope receivers Josh Downs (concussion) and Ashton Dulin (chest) — who is also a special teams ace — can return, as well as pass rusher Tyquan Lewis (groin), who exited Week 7 action mid-game.

Tennessee interim coach Mike McCoy says key defensive players Jeffery Simmons (hamstring) and L’Jarius Sneed (quadriceps) will likely miss some time. Receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring), who didn’t play last weekend, was one of eight Titans who did not practice because of injury on Wednesday.

Indianapolis Colts injury report vs. Tennessee Titans for NFL Week 8, Oct. 26

Colts who did not practice on Wednesday, Oct. 22: DE Samson Ebukam (knee), T Braden Smith (rest), DE Tyquan Lewis (groin), CB Kenny Moore II (Achilles); limited participation: CB Jaylon Jones (hamstring), WR Josh Downs (concussion); full participation WR Ashton Dulin (chest), RB Tyler Goodson (groin).

Tennessee Titans injury report vs. Indianapolis Colts for NFL Week 8, Oct. 26

Titans who did not practice on Wednesday, Oct. 22: DL Jeffery Simmons (hamstring), CB L’Jarius Sneed (quadriceps), WR Calvin Ridley (hamstring), RB Tony Pollard (rest), OL Kevin Zeitler (rest), P Johnny Hekker (illness), LB Arden Key (quadricep), DE James Lynch (shoulder), LB Jihad Ward (rest), OL Blake Hance (shoulder/back), WR Bryce Oliver (knee); limited participation: DE Sebastian Joseph-Day (calf), S Xavier Woods (ankle).

Colts 2025 regular season schedule

Week 1: Indianapolis Colts 33, Miami Dolphins 8, box score, stats
Week 2: Colts 29, Denver Broncos 28, box score, stats
Week 3: Colts 41, Tennessee Titans 20, box score, stats
Week 4: Los Angeles Rams 27, Colts 20, box score, stats
Week 5: Colts 40, Las Vegas Raiders 6, box score, stats
Week 6: Colts 31, Arizona Cardinals 27, box score, stats
Week 7: Colts 38, Los Angeles Chargers 24, box score, stats
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26, vs. Tennessee Titans, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 2, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 9, vs. Atlanta Falcons in Berlin, Germany, 9:30 a.m., NFL Network
Week 11: Bye
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23, at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 7, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 14, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Week 16: Monday, Dec. 22, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN’s “Monday Night Football”
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., Fox
Week 18: Date TBD, at Houston Texans, time TBD, TBD