There are probably far more Titans fans concerned that Cam Ward threw one interception — and almost tossed another — during Thursday’s practice than fans excited about linebacker Cody Barton making both those defensive plays.
That’s understandable.
But for the two-tone blue supporters who prefer a glass half-full approach, Barton continues to show early indications that the Titans may have finally found a long-term, pass-coverage solution at the linebacker position.
Excelling in pass coverage is a point of pride for Barton, who began his college career at Utah as a safety before eventually transitioning to linebacker.
The 28-year-old has posted a combined five interceptions over the past three seasons, including two in 2024. His 610 snaps in pass coverage last season ranked second in the NFL, trailing only the number of Pittsburgh’s Patrick McQueen (612).
“I think [wanting to excel in pass coverage] came from being an ex-defensive back growing up,” Barton said. “That’s kind of helped me in the pass [coverage]. Don’t get me wrong. I love playing the run [also], and … a big emphasis for me last year was improving against the run. I’m just trying to improve my game in all phases.”
Barton delivered a gut punch to Ward and the offense on the first seven-on-seven play Thursday, recalling — as he watched Ward make his reads — where the rookie quarterback had thrown the ball one day earlier on a similar play.
Following his instincts, the 6-2, 237-pound Barton stepped up into space and easily picked off Ward.
“I figured [Ward] was going to throw it,” Barton said. “But … he’s going to learn from it and get better.”
Several plays later in the same seven-on-seven drill, Barton stepped in front of rookie tight end Gunnar Helm on a pass near the line of scrimmage, getting two hands on Ward’s pass before dropping it.
This time, Barton said he made an educated guess on where Helm would go coming out of his break, based on Helm’s “stem” — the way the tight end set up his route.
“It’s something I’d recognized,” Barton said. “We were actually talking about that [with the other linebackers earlier]. I was trying to show them different stems for different routes, and if [a receiver] does this certain stem, he’s going to run these couple routes.”
For Barton, Thursday’s play-making marked a carryover from the Titans’ offseason workouts, when the six-year veteran intercepted Ward twice.
The Titans are hoping those kinds of plays continue into the regular season, after signing Barton to a three-year, $21 million contract last March.
Getting better pass coverage from the team’s linebackers was a huge need, after former Titan Kenneth Murray last year surrendered six touchdown passes — the most among NFL linebackers — and allowed an opposing quarterback rating of 131.3 when targeted, per PFF.
Barton has set a goal this season for five interceptions, which would be the most for any NFL linebacker since Shaq Leonard hit that mark in 2019 with Indianapolis, per Pro Football Focus.
He enjoys trying to stay one mental step ahead of opposing offenses, a necessity considering most pass-catchers are quicker than most inside linebackers.
“You’ve got to understand route concepts, and understand formations and what routes they can run [out of them],” Barton said. “And also understand your coverages. If you’re in a certain coverage, what is your strength in that coverage? Where do you have your help, and what’s your weakness in this coverage? So you know what routes you can take a shot on, and what routes you’ve really got to protect more.”
A player who brings a boatload of energy and enthusiasm to the field every day, Barton said his only disappointment Thursday was that he came away with just the one interception — instead of two.
Barton said he — and his father — will likely spend more time thinking about the drop.
“I already know that somehow my dad is going to hear about it,” Barton said with a smile. “He doesn’t have social media or nothing. Neither of us do. But somehow, someone is going to send him something, or he’ll see something online. I already know I’m going to get a call or voicemail [saying] ‘Heard you dropped it.’”
Perhaps more motivation to pluck another pass attempt on Friday.