Tennessee Titans free agency updates: Free agent signings, top NFL players available
The NFL free agency window is open, and the Tennessee Titans figure to be one of the league's most prominent players.
Beginning at 3 p.m. CT on Wednesday, March 13, teams may begin signing free agents to contracts. But two days before that, at 11 a.m. CT, teams can begin negotiations. The Titans, possessing more than $80 million in salary cap space, are in position to be one of the offseason's most prominent spenders. Whether they use the money to retain players or go after big names from other teams, the options are there.
Prominent Titans such as Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill and Denico Autry are set to hit free agency, as are stars from across the league such as receivers Marquise Brown and Calvin Ridley, defensive linemen Chris Jones and Christian Wilkins, defensive end Danielle Hunter, cornerback Kendall Fuller and quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield.
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Follow along below throughout the week as the Tennessee Titans and the rest of the NFL navigate the early days of free agency.
4 p.m., Wednesday, March 13: Titans find backup QB Mason Rudolph
Per a report from NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Titans are bringing in former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph to back up Will Levis. Rudolph was 8-4-1 in 13 starts with the Steelers dating back to 2019, including three wins down the stretch this season to get Pittsburgh into the playoffs. Rudolph has thrown 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over the course of his career and will turn 29 years old before the 2024 season begins.
3 p.m., Wednesday, March 13: NFL free agency can officially begin
As of 3 p.m. CT, free agents who have agreed to contracts in the past two days can officially sign with their intended new teams. This means the Titans can begin inking deals with the five players they've agreed in principle with. It doesn't mean teams have to stop negotiating with unsigned players. The Titans are expected to host several top prospects on visits in the coming days, including defensive end Chase Young and linebacker Jerome Baker, and can be involved in trade negotiations as well.
The Titans began the league year by announcing they've re-signed running back Julius Chestnut and extended an exclusive rights free agent tender to linebacker Jack Gibbens.
8:15 a.m., Wednesday, March 13: Early morning updates and Jerome Baker
ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that former Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker will visit the Titans on Thursday. The Titans' moves at linebacker this free agency period are interesting, as the team opted to sign free agent Kenneth Murray instead of re-signing Azeez Al-Shaair, and they need one more starter to fill out the defense.
In addition to linebacker, the Titans still need starters or extra depth at the following positions: cornerback, receiver, safety, defensive line, offensive tackle, backup quarterback, kicker.
9:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12: Titans add Saahdiq Charles from Washington
Former Washington Commanders offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles is expected to sign a 1-year deal with the Titans, a source confirmed to The Tennessean on Tuesday night. The Athletic's Dianna Russini first reported the news. Charles is a former LSU offensive lineman who went in the 2020 NFL Draft (like Lloyd Cushenberry, the Titans' pending new center).
A fourth-round pick that year, Charles has experience playing both tackle and guard, making him a versatile addition for a team conducting an extensive rebuild up front. Charles appeared in 35 games and started 18 in four seasons in Washington. The max value of his new deal, per source, would be $2.5 million.
6 p.m., Tuesday, March 12: Catching up on the day in NFL free agency
One of the Titans' biggest rivals keeps getting better. The Houston Texans added one of the biggest names on the market in defensive end Danielle Hunter, pairing him with former Titans edge rusher Denico Autry and 2023 first-round pick Will Anderson as pass rushers. Elsewhere in the AFC, the Dolphins are adding safety Jordan Poyer and the Patriots and Colts brought back some of their own in Josh Uche and Kenny Moore. Lavonte David is staying put too, re-signing with the Bucs.
1:50 p.m., Tuesday, March 12: Chase Young visiting the Titans?
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting that former No. 2 draft pick Chase Young, a defensive end who most recently played for the San Francisco 49ers, will visit the Titans before making his decision on where to sign in free agency. He'll also reportedly visit the Panthers and Saints.
11:40 p.m., Tuesday, March 12: Derrick Henry heads to Baltimore
The Derrick Henry era in Tennessee is officially over. The Titans' all-time leading touchdown scorer is headed to the rival Baltimore Ravens, per a post on his personal social media account. Henry will reportedly sign a two-year deal to play for the Ravens. At 30 years old, Henry is still one of the NFL's best running backs. He was the league's second-leading rusher last season and he joins a Baltimore attack that's been at or near the top of the NFL in rush attempts each of the last five years.
9:45 a.m., Tuesday, March 12: Top free agents available
As Day 2 of the free agency negotiation window gets underway, let's update on the best NFL free agents left.
S Justin Simmons
RB Derrick Henry (signing with Baltimore Ravens)
OT Tyron Smith
DE/OLB Danielle Hunter (reportedly signing with Houston Texans)
DE/OLB Chase Young
WR Calvin Ridley
LB Patrick Queen (reportedly signing with Pittsburgh Steelers)
S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (reportedly signing with Philadelphia Eagles)
WR Marquise Brown
CB Kendall Fuller
S Jordan Poyer (reportedly signing with Miami Dolphins)
LB Devin White
LB Lavonte David (reportedly re-signing with Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
DE Jadeveon Clowney
DT D.J. Reader
LB Bobby Wagner
DE Shaq Barrett (reportedly signing with Miami Dolphins)
LB Willie Gay (reportedly signing with New Orleans Saints)
LB Josh Uche (reportedly re-signed with New England Patriots)
DB Quandre Diggs
S Jamal Adams
CB Xavien Howard
DE Calais Campbell
CB Steven Nelson
OT Jonah Williams
S Kamren Curl
C Connor Williams
OT Mekhi Becton
WR Darnell Mooney (reportedly signing with Atlanta Falcons)
CB Kenny Moore (reportedly re-signing with Indianapolis Colts)
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
OT Trent Brown
WR Tyler Boyd
LB Jerome Baker
9:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 12: More Derrick Henry rumors
The Athletic's Dianna Russini and KPRC2's Aaron Wilson are both reporting that a deal for Derrick Henry is "not imminent." Unsurprisingly, both are reporting that the Baltimore Ravens have been in communication with Henry. Maybe a little more surprisingly, Wilson reports the Houston Texans are another team that's interested. After the Texans reportedly agreed to terms with former Titans Denico Autry and Azeez Al-Shaair on Monday, seeing Henry go to the Titans' division rival would be a particular gut punch.
8 a.m., Tuesday, March 12: While you were sleeping
Plenty can happen in the middle of the night and the wee hours of the morning. Sam Darnold is reportedly on his way to the Vikings to replace Kirk Cousins. Joe Mixon is a free agent after the Bengals opted to go the cheaper route and sign Zack Moss. Aaron Jones is crossing rivalry lines to sign with the Vikings.
10:45 p.m., Monday, March 11: Late-night signing of LB Kenneth Murray
Before the first day of free agency negotiations could end, the Titans reached an agreement with former first round pick and Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray, per an announcement on Murray's Instagram. Murray is regarded as a hyper-athletic linebacker who could use a little more polish, but he set or matched career highs in tackles, sacks and pass breakups in 2023, setting the stage of the Titans to revamp their linebacker room with a high-upside talent getting a second chance after his first contract expired.
6:30 p.m., Monday, March 11: Azeez Al-Shaair defecting to Houston too
Hours after Titans defensive lineman Denico Autry reportedly agreed to cross division lines and play for the Houston Texans, linebacker and leading tackler Azeez Al-Shaair did too. Al-Shaair only played one season with the Titans and was a strong force in the middle, leading the team and finishing fifth in the NFL in tackles. Now he's going elsewhere in the AFC South, leaving the Titans in need of new starters at both inside linebacker spots.
6:15 p.m., Monday, March 11: Still no Derrick Henry signing
The running back market has moved in a dozen different directions Monday. The Titans' decision to bring in Tony Pollard is just the tip of the iceberg, with Josh Jacobs (Green Bay), Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia), D'Andre Swift (Chicago), Austin Ekeler (Washington), Devin Singletary (New York Giants), Gus Edwards (Los Angeles Chargers) and Antonio Gibson (New England) all changing teams. But Henry still hasn't found the deal he's looking for.
Given the Pollard move, Tennessee seems to be out on their all-time touchdown leader. But the fact that so much movement has happened at running back without Henry finding his home is notable.
4:15 p.m., Monday, March 11: Titans signing CB Chidobe Awuzie
The Titans made their big splash at cornerback Monday, adding former Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, a source confirmed to The Tennessean. Awuzie is a seven-year NFL veteran heading into his age-29 season who has been excellent when he's been on the field in recent years. Though he hasn't played a full season since 2019, he's logged 25 pass breakups and two interceptions in 37 games over the last three years. That's not counting his interception in the Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.
3:30 p.m., Monday, March 11: Catching up on big signings
Former Ravens running back Gus Edwards is flipping Harbaughs, reportedly signing with the Los Angeles Chargers. And former Ravens safety Geno Stone, who played for Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson last year, will reportedly sign with the Cincinnati Bengals, taking a big Titans target away.
3 p.m., Monday, March 11: Denico Autry heading to division rival
Denico Autry led the Titans in sacks each of the last two seasons. Now he'll have two chances per year to rush against the Titans. Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Autry will sign with the Houston Texans on a two-year deal. Autry is one of just two players in Tennessee Titans history to log eight or more sacks in three-straight seasons. Without Autry, the Titans defensive front still consists of Jeffery Simmons, Arden Key and Harold Landry.
1:50 p.m., Monday, March 11: Sean Murphy-Bunting goes west
Former Titans cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting will reportedly sign with the Arizona Cardinals. After one season with the Titans, the one-time Buccaneers corner is heading to Arizona. This means the Titans will likely need to sign or draft two new starting cornerbacks this offseason, with Kristian Fulton also heading toward free agency.
1:30 p.m., Monday, March 11: The Kirk Cousins domino falls
Kirk Cousins, the biggest quarterback on the market, is signing with the Atlanta Falcons per his agent Mike McCartney, for four years. Signing Cousins is a huge move for the Falcons, but it also frees up the rest of the league to start making moves for quarterbacks. Also, most notably for the Titans, it means the Falcons will not need to use the No. 8 pick in the NFL draft on a quarterback, and means the Titans' No. 7 pick is a little less valuable for teams trying to move up ahead of the Falcons to get their guy.
1:15 p.m., Monday, March 11: Catching up on the top names
Some of the best players available have come off the market. The Las Vegas Raiders made a big splash signing by adding former Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. But the Raiders didn't hold onto running back Josh Jacobs, who'll reportedly sign with the Green Bay Packers. A former Packer on the move? Safety Darnell Savage is reportedly signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars, as is former Bills receiver Gabe Davis.
12:15 p.m., Monday, March 11: Titans add OL Lloyd Cushenberry
Center Lloyd Cushenberry, one of the top free agent centers available, is reportedly signing with the Titans. Cushenberry has started for the Broncos the last four seasons after Denver drafted him in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of LSU. USA TODAY has Cushenberry ranked as the No. 41 free agent available in this class heading into last week.
11:45 a.m., Monday, March 11: Titans add RB Tony Pollard
The Titans are reportedly adding former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard to help Tyjae Spears in their backfield. Pollard, who played college football at Memphis, has rushed for more than 1,000 yards each of the past two seasons.
11:30 a.m. Monday, March 11: Rumors about Derrick Henry begin
The Athletic's Dianna Russini is reporting that the Titans expect to be involved in the second-tier of the running back market but not in pursuit of Henry.
11 a.m. Monday, March 11: Window opens, first big names start signing
The legal negotiation (tampering) window opened up and the first big name came off the market. Running back D'Andre Swift is reportedly signing with the Chicago Bears.
9:00 a.m. Monday, March 11: Tee Higgins reportedly requesting trade
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins has reportedly requested a trade, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. A Tennessee native who played the last four seasons with Titans coach Brian Callahan as his offensive coordinator, Higgins was set to hit free agency this year but the Bengals used the franchise tag to keep him for another year.
Higgins has 3,684 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns over four professional seasons, including a pair of 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022.
Bengals franchise WR Tee Higgins has requested a trade, per sources. Higgins loves Cincinnati and hoped to be with the team long term, but is disappointed that the team has not had any talks about a long-term contract extension since March 2023. He’s ready to move on to a new… pic.twitter.com/T0qy7uMu8n
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Tennessee Titans free agency needs
The Titans' biggest needs are offensive line, cornerback and wide receiver. The team also could use help at inside linebacker and defensive tackle, and it needs backups at quarterback and running back.
Quarterback Will Levis, running back Tyjae Spears, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, guard Peter Skoronski, defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, outside linebackers Arden Key and Harold Landry, cornerback Roger McCreary and safety Amani Hooker are among the Titans' most prominent returning players.
The Titans own the No. 7 and No. 38 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and can use those to add top-level talent and depth at key positions.
Derrick Henry and the NFL's free agent running backs
Henry has been the face of the Titans throughout his eight years in Nashville. He has rushed for more than 9,500 yards and more touchdowns than anyone in franchise history, made it to four Pro Bowls, earned All-Pro honors twice and won the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year award in 2020 when he eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards.
Coming off his fourth season in five years where he led the NFL in carries, Henry is 30 years old and entering free agency for the first time. The Heisman Trophy winner is a free agent at the same time as some of the league's other most productive backs, including Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard and D'Andre Swift.
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Top NFL free agents left
These are the top 50 NFL free agents left on the market for 2024, according to USA TODAY.
DT Chris Jones (contract extension with Kansas City Chiefs)
RB Saquon Barkley (reportedly signing with Philadelphia Eagles)
S Justin Simmons
QB Kirk Cousins (signing with Atlanta Falcons)
DT Christian Wilkins (reportedly signing with Las Vegas Raiders)
RB Derrick Henry
RB Josh Jacobs (reportedly signing with the Green Bay Packers)
OT Tyron Smith
DE Chase Young
DE Danielle Hunter
WR Calvin Ridley
LB Patrick Queen
LB Jordyn Brooks (reportedly signing with Miami Dolphins)
DE Jonathan Greenard (reportedly signing with Minnesota Vikings)
DL Leonard Williams (reportedly re-signing with Seattle Seahawks)
OL Mike Onwenu (reportedly re-signing with the New England Patriots)
S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
WR Marquise Brown
CB Kendall Fuller
CB Stephon Gilmore
S Jordan Poyer
LB Bryce Huff (reportedly signing with Philadelphia Eagles)
WR Gabe Davis (reportedly signing with Jacksonville Jaguars)
DE Za'Darius Smith (reportedly re-signing with Cleveland Browns)
S Xavier McKinney (reportedly signing with Green Bay Packers)
LB Devin White
OL Robert Hunt (reportedly signing with Carolina Panthers)
LB Frankie Luvu (reportedly signing with Washington Commanders)
LB Lavonte David
DE Jadeveon Clowney
DT D.J. Reader
QB Russell Wilson (reportedly signing with Pittsburgh Steelers)
LB Bobby Wagner
QB Baker Mayfield (re-signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TE Hunter Henry (re-signed with New England Patriots)
DE Shaq Barrett
LB Willie Gay Jr.
DT Fletcher Cox (retired from NFL)
LB Azeez Al-Shaair (reportedly signing with Houston Texans)
OL Mitch Morse (reportedly signing with Jacksonville Jaguars)
OL Lloyd Cushenberry (reportedly signing with Titans)
RB Tony Pollard (reportedly signing with Titans)
LB Josh Uche
QB Jacoby Brissett (reportedly signing with New England Patriots)
DB Quandre Diggs
CB Chidobe Awuzie (signing with Tennessee Titans)
S Jamal Adams
CB Xavien Howard
DE Andrew Van Ginkel (signing with Minnesota Vikings)
Tracking the Tennessee Titans' free agents in 2024
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair: Reportedly signing with Houston Texans
Defensive lineman Denico Autry: Reportedly signing with Houston Texans
Defensive tackle Ross Blacklock: Unsigned
Center Aaron Brewer: Reportedly signing with Miami Dolphins
Running back Julius Chestnut: Unsigned
Long snapper Morgan Cox: Re-signed with Tennessee Titans
Defensive lineman Marlon Davidson: Unsigned
Safety Terrell Edmunds: Unsigned
Kicker Nick Folk: Unsigned
Cornerback Kristian Fulton: Unsigned
Linebacker Jack Gibbens: Unsigned
Defensive end Trevis Gipson: Unsigned
Running back Derrick Henry: Unsigned
Offensive lineman Chris Hubbard: Unsigned
Defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson: Unsigned
Linebacker Joe Jones: Unsigned
Offensive lineman Corey Levin: Unsigned
Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting: Signing with Arizona Cardinals
Wide receiver Chris Moore: Unsigned
Defensive tackle Kyle Peko: Unsigned
Tight end Kevin Rader: Unsigned
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill: Unsigned
Guard Calvin Throckmorton: Unsigned
Safety K'Von Wallace: Unsigned
Running back Jonathan Ward: Unsigned
Tight end Trevon Wesco: Unsigned
Wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: Unsigned
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Titans free agency updates: Free agent signings, top NFL players left