Trade Opportunities Explored by the Tennessee Titans Front Office

As the Tennessee Titans front office looks to rebuild after a 6-9 season that ended without playoff football, exploring trade opportunities has become a top priority—with every move aimed at balancing short-term flexibility and long-term roster health. Led by general manager Ran Carthon, the team’s brass is evaluating which assets to hold onto, which to trade for draft picks, and which could be packaged to address critical needs like quarterback, offensive line, and secondary depth. This isn’t a  rebuild; it’s a strategic effort to avoid the “mediocrity trap” that has plagued the Titans in recent years—too good to land top draft picks, too inconsistent to compete for a Super Bowl. Trade Opportunities Explored by the Tennessee Titans Front Office breaks down the key trade scenarios the front office is weighing, the teams involved, and what each deal could mean for the franchise’s future.

The front office’s most high-stakes trade discussion revolves around running back Derrick Henry, the franchise’s all-time leading rusher and a fan favorite. Henry, entering the final year of his contract, still has value as a short-term contributor for playoff-contending teams—especially those needing a physical runner to complement their passing attack. Carthon and his team have reportedly held preliminary talks with the Baltimore Ravens (who want a reliable backup to Lamar Jackson) and the San Francisco 49ers (preparing for a potential Christian McCaffrey departure). The Titans are targeting a second-round draft pick in return for Henry, a price that reflects his age (30) but also his proven ability to carry a run game. “Henry isn’t just a player—he’s a brand, but the front office has to be realistic,” said one NFL insider. “Keeping him would mean competing for a wild card at best, while trading him gives them capital to restock the roster.” However, the front office is also mindful of fan backlash; Henry’s departure would mark the end of an era, and Carthon has privately acknowledged that any trade involving him would need to be paired with clear plans to improve other areas of the team. Trade Opportunities Explored by the Tennessee Titans Front Office emphasizes that Henry’s trade value lies in his ability to help both the Titans (via draft picks) and a contender (via on-field production)—making this the most delicate balance the front office must strike.

Another key trade opportunity the front office is exploring involves defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, a Pro Bowl pass rusher who has become a cornerstone of the Titans’ defense. Unlike Henry, Simmons is under contract through 2024 with a fifth-year option, but his upcoming contract extension demands (projected to be $25-30 million annually) have the front office weighing whether to trade him now or risk losing him in free agency. The Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have all expressed interest, with the Eagles offering a first-round pick plus a conditional third-rounder. For the front office, this trade is about long-term financial flexibility: Simmons’ extension would eat up a large chunk of the salary cap, limiting the Titans’ ability to sign other free agents. “Simmons is elite, but the front office has to ask: Can we afford him, and can we build a winning team around him?” said a former NFL salary cap analyst. “Trading him now lets them avoid that cap crunch and get a premium pick for a player who might leave anyway.” The front office is also considering a “sign-and-trade” scenario, where they extend Simmons first to maximize his value before sending him to a contender—a move that would ensure the Titans get compensation instead of losing him for nothing. Trade Opportunities Explored by the Tennessee Titans Front Office highlights that Simmons’ trade talks reveal the front office’s focus on sustainable roster building, even if it means parting with a star.

The Tennessee Titans front office is also exploring lower-profile trades to address depth needs, particularly on the offensive line and in the secondary. With the offensive line allowing 48 sacks last season, Carthon has targeted backup tackles and guards who can compete for starting roles. The front office has had discussions with the Cleveland Browns about tackle Dawand Jones (whom the Titans previously acquired at the trade deadline) and the Detroit Lions about guard Jonah Jackson, offering late-round draft picks in return. “The offensive line was a disaster last year, and the front office knows it can’t rebuild without fixing that,” said a local Nashville sports reporter. “These smaller trades might not make headlines, but they’re critical to making the offense functional again.” In the secondary, the front office is looking to trade for a young cornerback to pair with Kristian Fulton, with talks ongoing with the New York Jets about Michael Carter II. For the Tennessee Titans, these depth trades are about filling gaps without sacrificing future capital—an approach that reflects Carthon’s preference for “steady improvement” over splashy moves. Trade Opportunities Explored by the Tennessee Titans Front Office shows that the Tennessee Titans front office is balancing big-ticket trades with smaller, strategic moves to build a more complete roster.

Another trade opportunity the Tennessee Titans front office is pursuing involves swapping draft picks to move up in the 2025 NFL Draft, particularly in the early rounds. The Titans currently hold the 12th overall pick, but Carthon has expressed interest in moving into the top 10 to target a quarterback or offensive tackle. The front office has held talks with the Chicago Bears (who have the 8th pick) and the Atlanta Falcons (10th pick), offering a combination of their 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick to move up. “The front office knows the quarterback position is the biggest long-term need,” said an NFL draft analyst. “Moving up to select a prospect like [quarterback prospect] would give the Titans a potential franchise signal-caller, something they haven’t had since Steve McNair.” However, the front office is also cautious about overpaying; they’ve set a limit on how many future picks they’re willing to give up, fearing it could hinder their ability to address other needs. For the Tennessee Titans, this draft-day trade opportunity is about seizing a chance to fix a decades-long quarterback void—one that has held the franchise back from sustained success. Trade Opportunities Explored by the Tennessee Titans Front Office underscores that the Tennessee Titans front office views the draft as the foundation of their rebuild, and draft-pick trades are key to maximizing that foundation.

The Tennessee Titans front office is also exploring trade opportunities involving veterans with expiring contracts, a strategy to avoid losing players for nothing in free agency. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, safety Kevin Byard, and linebacker David Long Jr. are all in this category, with the front office holding talks with teams like the Buffalo Bills (interested in Hopkins), Kansas City Chiefs (needing safety help), and Minnesota Vikings (looking for linebacker depth). The Titans are seeking late-round draft picks in return for these players—compensation that, while modest, adds to their draft capital. “These are ‘value plays’ for the front office,” said the NFL insider. “They’re not going to get a first-round pick for Hopkins, but getting a fifth-rounder is better than getting nothing. It’s about maximizing every asset.” The front office is also using these trade talks to gauge interest in other players; for example, teams inquiring about Hopkins have also asked about backup quarterback Malik Willis, giving the Titans additional leverage. For the Tennessee Titans, these veteran trades are about pragmatism—turning players who may not be part of the long-term plan into resources that can help build for the future. Trade Opportunities Explored by the Tennessee Titans Front Office concludes that the Tennessee Titans front office’s trade strategy is holistic: balancing star players (Henry, Simmons) with depth pieces, draft picks, and expiring contracts to create a more flexible, competitive roster. As the offseason progresses, these opportunities will shape whether the Titans emerge from their rebuild as a contender—or remain stuck in mediocrity.