Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

With the hiring of former New York Jets head coach and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, there is a lot of optimism around the Tennessee Titans this offseason. Saleh is the type of coach who can bring the energy to a franchise, and this organization seems ready to get back to real playoff contention.

The Titans are led by former first overall draft pick quarterback Cam Ward, and he showed a lot during his rookie year this season. Under Saleh, Ward is expected to get even better, but he does need more help along the offensive end.

Tennessee is projected to be a big player in free agency this offseason, and if the team can land some playmakers for Ward, it could change everything. Ward was a big reason why Saleh joined the team, and now the two can work together to get the Titans back on track moving forward.

But the front office is going to need to spend wisely, making sure that they bring in the right people to fit the culture that Saleh is building. The veteran coach can learn from his failures with the Jets, and hopefully, this time around, things will be different.

Luckily for Tennessee, they play in a division that can be fickle from year to year, so there is room for the team to take a major step forward in 2026. The Titans were competitive down the stretch of the season, but they just lacked the needed talent to actually close out games.

More NFL Content From TWSN

The Tua Tagovailoa Situation Points to the NFL’s Biggest Problem

Steelers Land Kyler Murray in Blockbuster NFL Trade Scenario

Lamar Jackson is the Issue for the Baltimore Ravens

Tennessee Titans Sign Rico Dowdle

One area that the Titans do need to address is the running back position, and there are a few quality players available in free agency this year. Tennessee needs to help Ward out by establishing the run early on in games, allowing him to get into a rhythm within the passing attack to complement everything.

Running back Rico Dowdle could be a very interesting option for the Titans to consider this offseason, and he is coming off a strong season with the Carolina Panthers. While Dowdle did see his workload decrease as the season came to a close, he showed that he is more than capable of being a starting running back. 

Dowdle finished the season with 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven total touchdowns, but he only averaged eight carries in the final four games for Carolina. After the year ended, Dowdle said that he wants to be with a team that will allow him to handle the bulk of the carries, and that this would factor into his free agency decision.

The veteran back averaged more than three yards after contact per carry this season, and he could give this Titans offense a boost. Saleh got to see Dowdle up close this year as he rushed for 38 yards on just six carries against the 49ers’ defense earlier in the season.

While the numbers aren’t eye-popping, if the Panthers had continued to give him the ball in the game, his stats may have been even larger. Dowdle won’t solve all the problems for the Titans going forward, but he could give them a reliable back for next season, and could be a starting point for this team building.

Related

Subscribe to the TWSN Newsletter for original reporting, bold opinions, and real analysis across NFL, NBA, UFC, College Football, and more.

Straight to your inbox. Always authentic.

Sign up now and never miss a moment.