Everything feels different in Nashville right now. Honestly, if you walked into St. Thomas Sports Park a year ago and saw the current state of the Tennessee Titans 53 man roster, you might not even recognize the team. It’s been a whirlwind. After a brutal 3-14 campaign that saw Brian Callahan out by October and Mike McCoy trying to keep the ship upright as an interim, the roster is a mix of high-ceiling rookies and veteran placeholders.
General Manager Mike Borgonzi has officially taken the keys. He’s got final say on the roster now, a shift in power that happened just this January. It's a clean slate. With over $100 million in cap space and the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft coming up, the guys currently on the depth chart are basically auditioning for their lives.
Where the Tennessee Titans 53 Man Roster Stands Today
The quarterback room is the obvious starting point. Will Levis ended the season on Injured Reserve with a shoulder issue, leaving rookie Cam Ward to take the bulk of the late-season snaps. Ward showed flashes. He really did. But let’s be real—a 3-14 record doesn't happen because everything is clicking. Ward’s connection with fellow rookie Elic Ayomanor and collegiate teammate Xavier Restrepo (who is currently on a futures deal but saw action) has given fans a tiny bit of hope.
The offensive line remains a construction site. JC Latham and Peter Skoronski are the pillars, but beyond them, it’s a lot of "wait and see." They brought in Dan Moore Jr. to hold down the left side, and Lloyd Cushenberry III has been the veteran voice in the middle. Still, Levis and Ward spent way too much time running for their lives in 2025. You can’t build a functional offense when your quarterbacks are constantly checking their surroundings like they're in a horror movie.
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The Defensive Identity Crisis
Defensively, it’s the Jeffery Simmons show, as per usual. T’Vondre Sweat has actually started to look like a mountain of a man that’s hard to move, which is exactly what they drafted him for. But the secondary? Man, it’s thin. L’Jarius Sneed is still the big name, but with Kevin Winston Jr. and Xavier Woods ending the year on IR, the depth was tested and, frankly, it failed a lot of those tests.
Here is a look at the key names currently occupying the Tennessee Titans 53 man roster as we head into the 2026 offseason:
- Quarterbacks: Cam Ward, Brandon Allen (Will Levis on IR)
- Running Backs: Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Kalel Mullings
- Wide Receivers: Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike, Mason Kinsey
- Tight Ends: Chig Okonkwo, David Martin-Robinson, Gunnar Helm
- Defensive Line: Jeffery Simmons, T’Vondre Sweat, Sebastian Joseph-Day
- Linebackers: Kenneth Murray Jr., Cedric Gray, Arden Key, Ali Gaye
- Defensive Backs: L’Jarius Sneed, Amani Hooker, Kaiir Elam, Sanoussi Kane
It's a weird group. You have guys like Tony Pollard who are proven but getting older, mixed with absolute wildcards like Ali Gaye, who was just activated off IR in January.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Current Roster
There’s a common narrative that the Titans are "tanking." I don't buy it. You don't spend the money they spent on Ridley and Sneed if you're trying to lose. The problem wasn't a lack of effort; it was a lack of cohesion. The coaching turnover mid-season basically nuked any chance of building an identity.
People also keep pointing at the wide receiver room as a disaster. Sure, it's not the best in the league, but Ayomanor is the real deal. The kid from Stanford has size and hands that remind you of the old-school possession guys, but with 2026 speed. If the Titans use that No. 4 pick on a true "X" receiver, this group suddenly looks a lot more dangerous.
The Salary Cap Cushion
The most important "player" on the roster might actually be the salary cap. Having $100 million in space means the Tennessee Titans 53 man roster will look 40% different by August. Borgonzi isn't just looking for talent; he’s looking for guys who fit whatever scheme the new head coach brings in. Since John Harbaugh decided to stay away, the search is wide open. Names like Mike McCarthy and Matt Nagy are floating around, and each would want very different types of players.
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Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you’re a fan or an analyst looking at this roster, don't get too attached to the bottom 15 guys. They are likely gone. Here is what needs to happen:
- Prioritize the Right Tackle: Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson and others have filled in, but the Titans need a long-term solution opposite Latham to protect whoever is under center.
- Safety Depth is Non-Negotiable: With the injury bugs hitting the secondary so hard in late 2025, they need to sign at least two reliable veterans in free agency.
- Define the QB1: Whether it’s Levis or Ward, the "two-quarterback" talk needs to end. Pick the guy, build the playbook for him, and stop the hesitation.
The 2026 version of the Tennessee Titans 53 man roster is essentially a rough draft. It’s got some bold lines and a few interesting sketches, but the final masterpiece is still months away from being finished. Watch the "futures" signings closely—guys like Xavier Restrepo and Blake Watson might seem like footnotes now, but in a rebuild this deep, today's practice squad player is tomorrow's starter.
Keep an eye on the waiver wire as other teams settle their playoff rosters. The Titans are in a prime position to snag disgruntled talent or cap casualties that can provide the leadership this young locker room desperately lacks. The transition from the Brian Callahan era to the Borgonzi era is officially in full swing, and it's going to be a loud offseason in Nashville.