Jan. 29, 2026, 6:00 p.m. ET

The 2026 NFL free agency period begins in March, and the Tennessee Titans‘ new coaching staff has decisions to make.

The Titans have a slew of impending free agents, but that doesn’t mean the new coaching staff should let them all go. There are definitely players they should consider keeping, but until the entire coaching staff is in place, it will be hard to gauge who will stay and who will go.

ESPN’s Turron Davenport recently named one player the Titans should absolutely keep for the 2026 season.

TE Chig Okonkwo

Okonkwo finished the final season of his rookie contract with 56 receptions for 560 yards, both career highs. Although he’s not the typical in-line tight end, Okonkwo can be used in a variety of roles including out of the backfield as an H-back. Rookie Gunnar Helm emerged as the starting tight end last season with Okonkwo being used in different packages. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Titans let Okonkwo walk. But that depends on who the next offensive coordinator is. Okonkwo has proven himself to be a threat once he gets the ball in his hands as shown by his 6.2 yards after the catch average. So he will have value in the right scheme.

Davenport is right on two things: 1. It won’t be a surprise if the Titans let Okonkwo walk, and 2. Okonkwo has proven himself and should be retained.

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Over his four years with the Titans, Okonkwo has appeared in 68 games, recording 194 receptions for 2,017 yards and eight touchdowns. Outside of his stats, Okonkwo established himself as a utility player in 2025, doing anything and everything that was asked of him. More than once, he helped Cam Ward extend drives and keep the offense on the field. He is also reliable, fumbling the ball just twice in four seasons.

The biggest thing that Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll will have to consider with Okonkwo is Ward’s comfort level with the tight end. Okonkwo was a safety net for Ward in 2025, and with all of the changes in the organization, familiarity helps with a young quarterback’s development.

The Titans’ decision on Chig Okonkwo remains to be seen, but this is one they should nail down before the tampering period starts.