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The Tennessee Titans have been quiet in the quarterback market while other teams made their moves. Sam Darnold joined the Seattle Seahawks, Justin Fields landed with the New York Jets, Zach Wilson went to the Miami Dolphins, and Mac Jones signed with the San Francisco 49ers. With Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson still available, the Titans opted for a different route, signing former 49ers backup Brandon Allen to a one-year, $1.4 million deal. This move could be a clue about their draft plan, especially with the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft.
A Backup QB, Not a Starter
Allen, who has just 10 career starts, will turn 33 by the start of the season. His limited experience — 11 touchdowns and 8 interceptions over six seasons — makes it unlikely that head coach Brian Callahan views him as the long-term solution. Pairing Allen with Will Levis, who struggled last season, suggests the Titans could be eyeing a young quarterback in the draft.
Building the Foundation First
New general manager Mike Borgonzi seems to be prioritizing the trenches before locking in a franchise quarterback. The Titans added former Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and veteran right guard Kevin Zeitler, allowing 2024 first-round pick JC Latham to shift to right tackle.
“You want to build the foundation up front,” Borgonzi said at the Senior Bowl. “If you look at these playoff games, those teams are winning. Philly’s got a really good offensive line.”
With the offensive line retooled, the Titans are creating a more stable environment for a young quarterback to thrive.
Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders?
If the Titans stay at No. 1, Cam Ward, the former Miami quarterback and consensus top prospect, seems like the obvious choice. However, the team has also shown interest in Shedeur Sanders, who impressed at Colorado.
Both quarterbacks have extensive college experience and have proven they can handle pressure — a key trait Callahan emphasized at the NFL Combine.
“I think the one that matters the most is being able to perform under pressure,” Callahan said. “If you’re a great leader as a football player, but you don’t perform when it matters, it’s hard to connect those two things.”
Levis’ Uncertain Future
Levis will get a shot to compete for the starting role in training camp after a disappointing 2024 season. However, he faced constant pressure behind a weak offensive line and was sacked 53 times, the fourth-most in the league.
The Titans hope their new offensive line will provide better protection, but if they draft Ward or Sanders, Levis could find himself in a backup role.
Brandon Allen’s Role in the Transition
Allen’s signing may not excite fans, but his experience backing up Joe Burrow during his rookie year in Cincinnati is valuable. Allen was on the Bengals’ practice squad in 2020 and became Burrow’s backup in 2021 and 2022. Callahan, who was the Bengals’ offensive coordinator at the time, knows Allen can help mentor a rookie quarterback.
Ward’s Bold Statement
Ward, who won the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s top college quarterback, isn’t lacking in confidence.
“You’re either going to draft me or you’re not,” Ward said. “If you don’t draft me, that’s your fault. You’ve got to remember you’re the same team that’s got to play me for the rest of my career, and I’ll remember that.”
What’s Next for the Titans?
While Borgonzi insists the Titans’ free agency moves won’t dictate their draft choice, signing Allen signals a likely move for a quarterback. Whether it’s Ward or Sanders, Tennessee seems poised to secure their future franchise leader while leaning on Allen’s experience to ease the transition.
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This report used information from ESPN.
