Feb. 21, 2026, 5:07 a.m. ET
The Tennessee Titans will put a heavy focus on their defense during the offseason. Not only is new head coach Robert Saleh a defensive-minded coach, but the Titans’ defense was awful in 2025. And that’s putting it nicely. There are still things to address on offense, but you can bet that Saleh’s first order of business is finding an impactful edge rusher.
Sports Illustrated recently made a bold prediction for each NFL team, and their suggestion tracks with what we would expect from Saleh and Mike Borgonzi this offseason.
Two of the top-five edge rushers in free agency will wind up in Nashville.
The Robert Saleh era is underway and one thing he needs to realize the full potential of his defense is a hockey-style rotation of talented edge rushers. While the draft can also aid this plan, Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Odafe Oweh and Trey Hendrickson are all available, in addition to Cam Jordan and Arnold Ebiketie.
It certainly won’t be surprising to see the Titans make offers to all of the above-mentioned players, but landing two of them? That’s a dream scenario for Saleh, who you can bet will also draft an edge rusher with the team’s first-round draft pick. That’s how you boost the defense now and plan for the future.
Think about it, if the Titans land, say, Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, and then draft Rueben Bain or David Bailey, the latter would have some seriously amazing mentors. Bain and Bailey both have the potential to make an immediate impact, but if they can take the time to learn and develop at their own pace, both of them have the potential to be stars in this league.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
This is certainly a bold prediction, but if the Titans can make it happen, well, the NFL will officially be put on notice that the Titans aim to have one of the top defenses in the league in 2026.