​The Tennessee Titans reshaped their defense in free agency and the draft with the aim of improving in 2026. Their 2025 unit had its moments but was inconsistent and prone to giving up big plays at inopportune times. Now, veterans such as John Franklin-Myers, Alontae Taylor, and Cor’Dale Flott join Jeffery Simmons and Cedric Gray, as new head coach Robert Saleh seeks to steady the ship. How much have they improved? Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report projects best- and worst-case outcomes for the Titans’ defense.
Best-case scenario: After a 2025 campaign in which the Titans surrendered over 345 yards per game and ranked fifth-worst in points allowed, Saleh is aiming for meaningful improvement on both sides of the ball. The defense was aggressive in free agency, landing a hefty contract for defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers and adding two new corners in Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott. The addition of rookie linebacker Anthony Hill could also see several new faces on the field by Week 1.
Worst-case scenario: Franklin-Myers is a solid contributor, and Jermaine Johnson is a capable edge rusher, but the pass rush remains uncertain for 2026. Taylor and Flott signed solid deals but aren’t shutdown corners, and Hill remains unproven. While there is optimism that the defense will improve, missteps or underperformance in several areas could leave Saleh’s unit no better than last year’s. Despite the veteran acquisitions and the new coaching staff, there are multiple potential pitfalls that could prevent a quick turnaround. With Saleh and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s track records and the system familiarity from free agency, there is hope the Titans can start strong on defense, validating the front-office moves by GM Mike Borgonzi. This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Analyst outlines best and worst-case scenario for Titans’ defense