Wide receiver Alec Pierce #14 of the Indianapolis Colts in action during the preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on August 22, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. | (Photo Credit/Jason Mowry Getty Images)

Now that the Titans have set their offensive and defensive play caller, we can look ahead and point to some possible connections for the team in free agency. 

The Titans will go into this free agency period with the most cap space in the NFL with $101,036,638 million and even have some moves they can make to increase this number.

They have several different decisions to make this offseason for the future of the team, including possible cuts of veteran players, signing veteran difference makers or drafting new talent. This article will look at those possibilities. 

All cap numbers are via spotrac.com 

Possible Cuts

• Center| Lloyd Cushenberry
• Running back | Tony Pollard
• Linebacker | Cody Barton
• Safety | Xavier Woods

These moves could or could not happen, so they will not be factored into the number.

Some more likely moves include cutting corner L’Jarius Sneed, who has been a major disappointment for the Titans after they traded a third round pick and a later pick for Sneed in 2024. Between lack of time on the field and legal battles off the field, the Sneed trade was officially a bust for the Titans, and they will likely move on from him this offseason. Cutting Sneed would save the Titans $11.9 million.

The next move for the Titans will be the cut or trade of receiver Calvin Ridley. Ridley was another major disappointment for the team from the 2024 offseason. The Titans signed Ridley to a record breaking 4-year, $92 million contract–making him the 10th highest paid receiver in the NFL at the time. Over his two year span with the Titans, Ridley has amassed 1,320 receiving yards and just four touchdowns–a major disappointment given his price tag. Combine that with struggling to stay on the field this past offseason, and you have a recipe for a looming cut. Cutting Ridley would save the Titans $13.7 million and set their official cap space to $126.7 million–over $30 million higher than the next highest team.

This space would be used to revamp the entire Titans roster, but for the sake of the article, the focus will be on three players.

Alec Pierce | Receiver | Indianapolis Colts

Despite a lack of connection with current Titans coaches, Pierce is high on many people’s lists to be a Titan next season. A big, speedy deep threat, Pierce would provide a different element to the Titans that they have not had since Kalif Raymond in 2020. The ability to take the top off the defense would do wonders for a Titans offense which lacked explosiveness in any play that was not a scramble drill by Cam Ward. 

This past season, Pierce grabbed 47 passes for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns. It was a career year for Pierce, and it is sure to earn him a good paycheck in any city he decides to move to this offseason. 

Projected contract: 4 years, $80.9 million

Breece Hall | Running back | New York Jets

Breece Hall has been a volatile piece for the New York Jets since he was drafted in 2022. An undoubtedly talented player, Hall has struggled to find his footing in New York since he was drafted by new head coach Robert Saleh with the Jets. Saleh could look back to his former Jet cohort to sure up the Titans ground game next season, especially with the possible departure of current running back Tony Pollard. 

This past season, Hall eclipsed 1,000 yards on the ground for the first time in his career and added 350 yards through the air. Hall would provide a jolt of youth to an aging Titans running back room, and his receiving chops would provide a strong outlet option for quarterback Cam Ward going forward. 

Projected contract: 4 years, $41.5 million

Dante Fowler Jr. | Outside Linebacker | Dallas Cowboys

The previous two players on this list were on the younger side of things, but now we’ll switch things up. Dante Fowler Jr., a 31-year-old edge rusher for the Dallas Cowboys, has been a consistent force in his career. Most recently, he has enjoyed a stint on the Dallas Cowboys with now Titans defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton. Before Dallas, Fowler saw a career resurgence with the Washington Commanders, where he racked up 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

On the Cowboys, Fowler totaled three sacks in a backup pass rusher role and could provide the same production in a similar role for the Titans with younger guys ahead of him like Femi Oladejo and future 2026 draft picks that he can help adjust to the system and mentor along the way.

Projected contract: 1 year, $5.1 million

Other potential free agents: 

• Running back | Brian Robinson Jr.
• Defensive lineman | John Franklin-Myers
• Linebacker | Quincy Williams
• Offensive guard | Kevin Zeitler
• Tight end | Chig Okonkwo
• Tight end | David Njoku