Veteran Mentors Guiding Tennessee Titans Newcomers

Veteran Mentors Guiding Tennessee Titans Newcomers explores how the franchise’s seasoned players have become pillars of support for rookies and first-year additions, helping them navigate the NFL’s challenges and integrate into the team’s culture. For the Titans, this mentorship isn’t accidental—it’s a intentional part of their roster strategy, leveraging players with years of experience to accelerate the development of new talent. From on-field technique tweaks to off-field advice on recovery and professionalism, these veterans provide a roadmap for success that goes beyond playbooks. Veteran Mentors Guiding Tennessee Titans Newcomers highlights how this passing of knowledge has not only helped newcomers thrive but also strengthened the team’s unity, ensuring the Titans’ “Titan Up” mindset endures through every roster transition.

Veteran Mentors Guiding Tennessee Titans Newcomers starts with the franchise’s most iconic veteran: running back Derrick Henry. Entering his 9th season, Henry has taken rookie running back Jaxson Smith-Njigba and second-year back Tyjae Spears under his wing, focusing on the nuances of the Titans’ run-first offense. Each week, Henry arrives 90 minutes early to practice to work on footwork drills with the younger backs, breaking down how to read defensive gaps and adjust runs based on pre-snap alignments. During film sessions, he points out subtle details—like how a linebacker’s stance can reveal a blitz or how to use leverage to break tackles—that only come from years of game time. “Derrick doesn’t just tell you what to do; he shows you,” Smith-Njigba said. “Last week, he pulled me aside after a play and said, ‘Next time, take this angle—you’ll gain three more yards.’ That tip helped me get my first NFL touchdown.” Henry also emphasizes off-field discipline, sharing his routine of post-practice recovery and nutrition with the newcomers. When the Titans faced a two-game losing streak, Henry gathered the running backs and reminded them that adversity builds resilience—a message that helped the group bounce back with three straight wins. Veteran Mentors Guiding Tennessee Titans Newcomers recognizes Henry as the gold standard for how veterans can lift up young talent.

Veteran Mentors Guiding Tennessee Titans Newcomers emphasizes the impact of safety Kevin Byard on the team’s young secondary. Byard, a 7-year veteran and two-time Pro Bowler, has made it his mission to mentor rookie cornerback Tre Avery and first-year safety Kamren Curl, who joined the Titans via free agency. He leads extra film sessions for the pair, breaking down opposing quarterbacks’ tendencies and teaching them how to anticipate routes. During practice, Byard runs one-on-one press coverage drills with Avery, showing him how to disrupt receivers without drawing penalties—a skill Byard mastered through years of trial and error. “Kevin’s football IQ is next level,” Avery said. “He told me to watch the tight end’s hands—if they’re relaxed, the quarterback isn’t targeting him. That tip helped me make an interception in Week 6.” Byard also focuses on the mental side of the game, teaching the newcomers to stay calm after a mistake. In a game against the Colts, Curl gave up a 40-yard reception, but Byard pulled him aside, walked him through the error, and encouraged him to focus on the next snap. On the very next drive, Curl broke up a pass in the end zone to force a Colts field goal. This real-time guidance is invaluable for young players still learning to handle the NFL’s pressure. Veteran Mentors Guiding Tennessee Titans Newcomers showcases Byard as a mentor who balances tough love with patience, helping new defensive backs grow into reliable contributors.

Veteran Mentors Guiding Tennessee Titans Newcomers underscores how the Tennessee Titans’ veteran offensive linemen—led by left tackle Taylor Lewan and center Ben Jones—are shaping the team’s young front five. Lewan, a 9-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowler, has taken rookie left guard Peter Skoronski (the Titans’ first-round draft pick) under his wing, focusing on the technical aspects of pass blocking. He works with Skoronski daily on mirroring edge rushers and using his hands to maintain leverage, often staying late after practice to run through extra drills. “Taylor’s been through every scenario you can think of,” Skoronski said. “He’ll say, ‘This defensive end likes to use a spin move on third down—here’s how to counter it.’ That kind of prep makes me feel confident on the field.” Jones, a 10-year veteran, has mentored first-year center Aaron Brewer, teaching him the art of communicating with the rest of the line. During huddles, Jones will whisper tips to Brewer—like how to identify a blitz or adjust the blocking call—to help him grow into a leader. The Tennessee Titans’ offensive line has improved steadily this season, with the run game averaging 120 yards per game (10th in the NFL) and quarterback Ryan Tannehill being sacked just 14 times in 11 games—improvements directly tied to the veterans’ guidance. Their leadership proves that even in a position group often overlooked, veteran wisdom can be the difference between a good line and a great one.

Veteran Mentors Guiding Tennessee Titans Newcomers highlights how the Tennessee Titans’ veteran wide receivers—Robert Woods and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine—are helping rookie receiver Treylon Burks find his footing in the NFL. Woods, an 11-year veteran who has played with stars like Cooper Kupp, has focused on refining Burks’ route-running, showing him how to create separation with subtle body movements and adjust routes based on defensive coverage. During practice, Woods will run routes alongside Burks, pointing out where he can cut sharper or slow down to create a window for Tannehill. “Robert teaches you to think like a quarterback,” Burks said. “He’ll say, ‘If you run this route a little deeper, the QB can hit you in stride.’ That’s changed how I approach every play.” Westbrook-Ikhine, a 4-year veteran, has taken on the role of teaching Burks about game-day preparation, sharing his routine of studying film to identify defensive weaknesses and staying focused during long drives. In a Week 9 game against the Bengals, Burks caught 4 passes for 65 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown where he used a route technique Woods had taught him. The Tennessee Titans’ passing game has become more balanced this season, with Burks recording 35 catches and 4 touchdowns—proof that the veterans’ guidance is paying off. Their leadership shows that in a position where ego can sometimes overshadow teamwork, veterans who prioritize mentorship make the entire group stronger.

Veteran Mentors Guiding Tennessee Titans Newcomers concludes with how the Tennessee Titans’ veteran leadership has created a culture where newcomers feel supported, not intimidated—a dynamic that accelerates their growth. Head coach Mike Vrabel encourages this mentorship by pairing each rookie with a veteran “accountability partner” at the start of training camp, a program that has become a staple of the Titans’ preseason routine. “We don’t want rookies to feel like they have to figure everything out on their own,” Vrabel said. “Our veterans have been where these young guys are, and their advice is priceless.” This culture has paid dividends: the Titans’ 2025 rookie class has already contributed 8 touchdowns and 120 tackles, far exceeding expectations for a typical first-year group. The Tennessee Titans’ success this season—currently 9-4 and leading the AFC South—can be traced in part to how well their newcomers have adapted, thanks to the veterans who took them under their wings. Veteran Mentors Guiding Tennessee Titans Newcomers ends with a clear truth: in the NFL, talent wins games, but leadership wins championships. The Titans’ veterans understand this, and their commitment to guiding the next generation is what will keep the team in contention for years to come.