In the most literal sense, buildings only have one cornerstone.
The cornerstone, if we’re being pedantic here, is the first brick or stone or foundational piece laid down. It’s the structure-setter. Everything gets built around it. To say any building has more than one cornerstone is to fundamentally misuse the term.
Anyway, let’s misuse the term.
The Tennessee Titans are using an awful lot of building metaphors these days. General manager Mike Borgonzi spoke to reporters on Nov. 5, one day after an eventful but arguably not-eventful-enough trade window wherein the Titans added one draft pick and improved two via trades with the Ravens, Jets and Rams. He used the word “build” eight times in less than half an hour. Throw in his three uses of “create” and ― fittingly ― his one “cornerstone” and it’s easy to hear how Borgonzi views his role in the architectural sense.
The Titans are 1-8, once again competing for the worst record in the league, once again in contention for the No. 1 pick in an upcoming NFL draft. They’ve been without a head coach for a month now. They just sold off Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Roger McCreary and Dre’Mont Jones. The Titans have 11 rookies on the active roster, plus two more on injured reserve. Thinking about how his plans for the year have unfurled through nine weeks, Borgonzi evoked heavyweight champion Mike Tyson’s famous axiom: “Everyone’s got a plan until they get punched in the face.”
If there’s any team desperate to build a foundation of any kind, it’s the Titans.
Which brings things back to the cornerstone(s). Borgonzi says rookie QB Cam Ward is one. He says All Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is another. No one else specifically drew “cornerstone” status. And, to be pedantic again, you can’t draw a corner with two points. That’s just a line. You need minimum three pieces to actually form load-bearing corners; Borgonzi witnessed that firsthand in Kansas City where Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones have remained foundational for the entirety of the Chiefs’ dynasty.
What’s the point of this discussion? Simple: The Titans need to get better. A lot better. Borgonzi knows this. He opened his press conference by acknowledging the Titans aren’t good enough and it’ll be his front office’s job to win the fanbase’s trust back. That means hiring the right coach. That means drafting well, and building a framework that develops young talent. And it means spending wisely and effectively in free agency, where the Titans are projected to lead the NFL in available cap space for 2026.
Even with eight games left before the 2025 season ends, Borgonzi says plans are already in place for handling those pursuits.
Titans coach search: What’s the latest?
Borgonzi said he and Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker are “in the process” of replacing coach Brian Callahan but elected not to expand on specific candidates or timelines. He did, however, reveal two key qualities he’ll value throughout the search.
“I think it’s imperative that we make this decision on who is the best leader of this organization moving forward,” Borgonzi said. “Me and Chad have had conversations. It’s important that it’s not only a fit for the organization, but we want a leader here. I don’t care if it’s offense, defense. It’s important that they have a working relationship with the GM, myself.”
Titans free agency plan vs NFL draft: What comes first?
In trading Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Dre’Mont Jones and Roger McCreary, Borgonzi added a conditional fifth-round pick and turned sixth- and seventh-round picks into fifth- and sixth-round picks. Now the Titans hold nine picks in the 2026 draft, but only three in the top 100 selections.
By contrast, the Titans are projected to have more than $119 million in salary cap space next offseason, with maybe one contract extension candidate on roster in guard Peter Skoronski. Perhaps Simmons, already the team’s highest-paid player, could be due an extension or raise too. But by the same principle, high-priced veterans like receiver Calvin Ridley, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and center Lloyd Cushenberry III have potential outs in their contract to save the Titans even more money if wanted.
The easier, quicker and more tempting path toward rebuilding is using all that cash. Free agency meetings begin in December, Borgonzi admits, and there’s plenty to plan for.
Don’t count on Borgonzi going all in on that approach.
“It’s hard when you have the philosophy, you have to stay disciplined to it too,” Borgonzi said. “And we use free agency really to… you have to fill the roster and you have to be competitive at the same time. In the future, we want to draft and develop these guys. But there will be opportunities too, if we see a player that (we) deem to help us and we’re thin at the position, we’re going to attack it.”
The Cam Ward of it all
Borgonzi is confident in Ward’s future cornerstone status, but he’s also pleased with the development taking place now. He credited offensive coordinator Nick Holz, quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree and interim coach Mike McCoy for helping Ward grow, even if he’s willing to acknowledge the approach is likely to be different in a year.
“He has been developing,” Borgonzi said. “…Now, will the offense change next year? Maybe. But, in terms of the fundamentals and mechanics, understanding how to play the position, I think we got some really good coaches here to develop him.”
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at  nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.