Tennessee Titans WR Treylon Burks vows to 'prove myself right' in his comeback from an ACL tear. Get the latest on his Week 1 hopes for the 2024 NFL season.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
As the Tennessee Titans close the book on mandatory minicamp, a powerful theme is emerging for the 2025 season: redemption. After a brutal 3-14 debut under head coach Brian Callahan, the pressure is on from the top down. But no story encapsulates the team's blend of hope and high stakes more than that of wide receiver Treylon Burks, who is not just recovering from a devastating injury but is on a mission to redefine his career.
I'm here to prove myself right.
Just seven months after tearing his ACL, Treylon Burks is already running routes and feels he's ahead of schedule. The former first-round pick, whose career has been hampered by injuries, is attacking his rehab with a renewed sense of purpose. 'Every day that I am here at this facility, and every day that I am working, I don't take it for granted. It means a lot more to me now,' Burks said Thursday. Coach Callahan fueled the optimism, stating Burks is at about 80 percent and could be fully cleared for training camp, with a Week 1 return firmly in sight. In a receiver room looking for reliable weapons behind Calvin Ridley, a healthy and motivated Burks could be the ultimate wild card.
The optimism isn't just reserved for the skill positions. First-round pick JC Latham is already turning heads before his first training camp. The massive offensive tackle has undergone a significant physical transformation, shedding weight and improving his conditioning. Former NFL lineman George Foster praised the rookie's commitment, a welcome sign for an offensive line that desperately needs to become a team strength. Latham's dedication signals a culture shift in the trenches, providing hope that the protection for the Titans' quarterback will be vastly improved this season.
While Burks' and Latham's progress provides a dose of hope, the front office's offseason moves are under intense scrutiny. The massive four-year, $76.4 million contract given to cornerback L'Jarius Sneed has been labeled by some critics as one of the NFL's worst for 2025, citing injury history and performance concerns. The pressure is now squarely on the 27-year-old Sneed to perform like one of the league's elite corners to justify the investment. This high-stakes gamble is emblematic of the pressure on Coach Callahan, who knows a repeat of last year's 3-14 finish is not an option. With key depth pieces like CB Darrell Baker Jr. also working back from injury (shoulder surgery), every roster decision will be magnified as Callahan fights to prove he's the right man to lead the Titans back to contention.
With training camp kicking off on July 22, all eyes will be on these storylines. Will Burks complete his comeback and become the weapon Tennessee envisioned? Can Latham anchor the new-look line? And will the big bets on Sneed and Callahan pay off? This isn't just an offseason; it's the proving ground for a franchise desperate to turn the page. The answers will start arriving in just over a month.
