Tennessee Titans' Treylon Burks & Lloyd Cushenberry eye a 2024 season return from injury. Can Burks' vow to 'prove myself right' spark a team-wide reset?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
For a Tennessee Titans team desperate to wash away the disappointment of 2024, the road to redemption starts with personal conviction. Look no further than former first-round pick Treylon Burks, who, after a devastating ACL tear last October, isn't focused on silencing his doubters. He's on a mission for himself, a sentiment that echoes throughout a franchise in the midst of a crucial transformation.
'I am not going out to prove nobody wrong, I am going out to prove myself right.'
The offensive huddle could look significantly stronger come Week One, thanks to promising recovery updates. Burks is already running routes just seven months post-surgery and, per Head Coach Brian Callahan, is expected to be fully cleared for training camp on July 22. His renewed mindset is palpable: 'Every day that I am here at this facility... I don't take it for granted. It means a lot more to me now.' He's not the only one on the comeback trail. Starting center Lloyd Cushenberry, whose 2024 season was cut short by an Achilles tear, also shared a positive outlook, stating, 'I feel good, man. I am close to being back.' Getting both Burks and Cushenberry back to full strength would be a massive boost for an offense in transition.
While key players are getting healthy, the most important question remains: who will be leading the offense? General Manager Mike Borgonzi and Coach Callahan are adamant that the starting quarterback job is an open competition heading into camp. All eyes are on rookie Cam Ward, who is reportedly making a strong case to challenge for the QB1 spot. Ward's confidence has been on full display, with reports of him showing impressive leadership and even standing his ground with defensive stalwart Jeffery Simmons during minicamp. This isn't just camp talk; it's the setup for a legitimate battle that will define the Titans' 2025 season.
The changes aren't just on the field. The Titans officially announced a series of hires and promotions within the football operations staff, another step in the organizational modernization project led by Borgonzi and Callahan. However, the new regime's moves are already facing national scrutiny. The team's marquee free-agent signing, a four-year, $76.4 million deal for cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, has been labeled by some critics as one of the worst deals of the offseason. Citing Sneed's injury history and performance, the hefty price tag has raised eyebrows and adds another layer of pressure on the team to prove their big bets will pay off.
With OTAs and minicamp in the rearview mirror, the stage is set for a dramatic training camp. Can Treylon Burks finally become the star receiver the Titans drafted him to be? Who will emerge victorious from the open quarterback competition? And will high-priced additions like L'Jarius Sneed silence the critics? The answers will start to unfold on July 22, as the Titans' quest for redemption truly begins.
