Music City Miracles
Should the Titans sign a veteran pass rusher?
The Tennessee Titans entered training camp this week even thinner at EDGE than first expected following Lorenzo Carter’s abrupt retirement. This defense recorded the third-fewest sacks in the NFL last season. New general manager Mike Borgonzi didn’t pour major resources into fixing that problem this offseason.
Carter was among two free-agent signings, joining Dre’Mont Jones. Second-round pick Femi Oladejo was the third notable reinforcement. With Carter now retired, Jones, Oladejo, and Arden Key are the clear top-three rushers at camp.
Carter was set to play a role in that rotation, either as the third or fourth rusher, depending how quickly Oladejo was ready to contribute. The Titans now need their rookie pass rusher to play immediately.
Chad Brinker and Mike Borgonzi didn’t sound occupied with signing an EDGE following Carter’s retirement, but they should strongly consider it. Concerns were already present, and now the Titans are one injury away from playing Jaylen Harrell or Ali Gaye pretty consistently.
We’ve put together a list of veteran free-agent EDGEs available.
Would Jadeveon Clowney even consider returning to the Titans after his stint with the franchise in 2020 went so poorly? That was under Mike Vrabel and Jon Robinson, so perhaps he’d be open to a reunion. Clowney, as usual, is waiting for the right opportunity to emerge. Maybe he’d prefer to play for a contender, but he did sign with the rebuilding Carolina Panthers last offseason (though a hometown connection may have helped).
The 32-year-old Za’Darius Smith was released by the Detroit Lions earlier this offseason. He made the Pro Bowl in 2022. In 2024, Smith recorded an effective 9.0 sacks while splitting his time between the Cleveland Browns and Lions following a midseason trade.
DeMarcus Walker is another former Titans defender. After rehabilitating his flailing career in Tennessee in 2022, he cashed in by signing a three-year contract worth $21 million with the Chicago Bears. Walker didn’t meet expectations, and he was cut earlier this year. He’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, and would fit the Titans’ profile as they look to get bigger and stouter outside.
Preston Smith was traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Pittsburgh Steelers last year as a midseason rental. He was released by the Steelers after recording two sacks in eight appearances. Smith is coming off a down campaign, but totaled 25.5 sacks from 2021-23.
Matt Judon is another aging pass rusher who’s lost some effectiveness. After being one of the most productive EDGEs in the NFL from 2017 to 2022, he totaled a more modest 5.5 sacks with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. Judon would still be a viable addition to the Titans’ rotation at outside linebacker.
