Tennessee

Tennessee Titans’ offensive core ranked dead last in NFL

Published

5 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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Tennessee

More than 8,500 layoffs hit Tennessee in 2025, nearly 19% increase from 2024

Published

2 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

More than 8,500 layoffs hit Tennessee in 2025, nearly 19% increase from 2024

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee employers laid off more than 8,500 workers in 2025 compared to 7,320 last year, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.

This is about a 19% increase in layoffs, with WARN notices impacting 8,691 Tennesseans to date. As of 2023, 5,168 Tennessee workers were laid off through WARN notices.

Counties in Middle Tennessee impacted include:

Davidson
Sumner
Maury
Rutherford
Williamson
Wilson
Coffee
DeKalb
Bedford
Lawrence
Putnam

The largest layoff this year was in Maury County. Come January, 710 employees will be laid off from GM Ultium Cells’ Spring Hill facility. Research Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville Michael Kofoed tells FOX 17 News that the facility is is likely impacted by the rise on steel tariffs ruled out by the Trump administration. He adds steel tariffs raise input costs for employers which directly impacts employees’ salary or employment.

The second largest layoff impacted 658 workers at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC in Rutherford County with 615 workers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center permanently laid off. WARN notices are reports a company is required to file with the state to give workers time to find future employment.

Kofoed states that Tennessee is seeing a troubling trend, with layoffs skyrocketing since 2023.

“That is a very big and concerning number,” Kofoed said.

According to CNBC, more than 1.1 million U.S. employees were laid off this year, the highest 11-month total since 2020.

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Nonprofit rescues 11 ‘emaciated and suffering’ animals from Tennessee property ahead of dangerous cold snap

Published

14 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Nonprofit rescues 11 ‘emaciated and suffering’ animals from Tennessee property ahead of dangerous cold snap

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) is asking for donations after rescuing 11 animals Friday.

ARC said it was contacted by law enforcement in an unidentified rural Tennessee area to rescue five dogs and six cats in what the nonprofit is calling “Operation Cold Snap.”

In the rescue, the nonprofit took in two emaciated Great Danes, three Pit Bulls and six cats. ARC said some of the animals are emaciated and suffering from untreated bite wounds and infections.

The nonprofit said the animals were kept without heat or regular care.

ARC shared a video of the rescue. In it, you can see the property s in disarray with trash littering the floor and overturned furniture.

This rescue comes just days before Middle Tennessee is expected to see its coldest temperatures of the season.

Now, ARC is asking for donations to help the 11 animals rescued Operation Cold Snap. Those interested in donating can do so on the nonprofit’s website.

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Tennessee

Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator

Alex Golesh was introduced as Auburn’s head coach on Dec. 1. He served as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach from 2021-22.

Golesh announced the hiring of Jacob Bronowski as Auburn’s special teams coordinator. He served as the Vols’ special teams analyst in 2021 under head coach Josh Heupel. Bronowski was also under Heupel at UCF in 2020 as special teams quality control.

“His track record is outstanding,” Golesh said of Bronowski. “He developed multiple national award contenders, including a Lou Groza Award winner, and has led some of the top special teams units in the country.

“I saw up close when we worked together before that coach Bronowski understands that special teams can be a championship difference-maker, and he’s proven he can develop elite specialists. He brings exactly the attention to detail and relentless work ethic we need in our program.”

Auburn will play at Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.

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