Pending Free agents the Titans should bring back!
Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The 2025 NFL regular season is nearing a close, which means it is time for some teams to start looking ahead to the offseason. The Tennessee Titans are expected to have over 100 million dollars in cap space, and the first priority with their contracts will be the decision to extend veteran players.
Written by Brody Rupert
Contributor for SharmSports
Chig Okonkwo is the most notable pending free agent for the Titans, and one that carries heavy controversy for the fanbase. We have a full article going over why he should be extended, but here is a quick summary: Okonkwo is mid-tier in price and allows a heavy amount of flexibility in the offense when paired with rookie tight end Gunnar Helm. Through his rookie contract, he has been a consistent member of the offense, putting up at least 450 yards every season, and is a positive figure in the locker room. Cam Ward needs consistency in order to develop, and keeping his starting tight end and leading pass catcher is a big part of that.
Jihad Ward was a signing that was made after the shocking retirement of Lorenzo Carter before the 2025 season, and he has had a career year with the Titans. With two weeks left in the season, he has tied his career high in sacks and has been a big part of the team’s pass rush. He would be a cheap player to retain, only being paid $1.405 million on his current deal. He could be expected to sign another deal in the $2-3 million range. While he does not need to see the field as much as he has this year, he could prove to be a good rotational pass rusher for the future.
Sebastian Joseph-Day has played on a pair of one-year deals with the Titans and could see him coming back for a third, especially if the team retains defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. He is familiar with the team and the locker room and has been a solid rotational defensive tackle behind T’Vondre Sweat and Jeffrey Simmons. He is currently on a deal that paid him up to $7.5 million with $5 million guaranteed. For continued depth and veteran leadership, I could see him getting another one-year deal.
Arden Key is in the last year of his three-year deal, and his fate seems sealed: he will not be returning. He has had both on-field and off-field issues in behavior and performance, and has started to alienate the fanbase through his comments on the team's play and his actions in the loss to the Jaguars in Week 13. He is free for one unguarded run at the quarterback a game, but overall, does not add too much to the defense.
Kevin Zeitler has been one of the better guards in the NFL for the last decade, and is currently being paid $9 million and is playing at a decent level. If the team is able to bring him back for another season, then I think they should, especially considering the offensive line is all starting to work well together. I don’t see him wanting to return, though, and I expect the team to have to find a new starting right guard in 2026.
Van Jefferson is a depth piece who I don’t see coming back. This is simply because the team drafted two wide receivers last season and will likely draft and acquire a couple more this offseason. The wide receiver room is looking crowded with cheap, mediocre talent, and Jefferson would only add to that.
Johnny Hekker is another player who has been the best at his position over the last decade, and he seems to be Bones Fassel’s personal choice at punter. After being hired last offseason, the Titans let former All-Pro punter Ryan Stonehouse walk in order to bring Hekker in. It seems simple to me: If the Titans retain Fassel, Hekker will be the punter. If the new head coach decides to look into a new special teams coordinator, then Hekker will likely not be re-signed.
Joey Slye has had an up-and-down 2025 season, hitting some long kicks but missing some easy ones. He has also sent many kickoffs out of bounds, giving the opponent great field position. I believe he is a good enough kicker, and the team could aim to get consistency on special teams. Slye is another player that I expect to ride on the status of Bones Fassel.
