The Titans open 2025 training camp on July 22, but second-round pick Femi Oladejo is a notable holdout. Can Brian Callahan's squad meet high expectations?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The wait is over, Titans fans. Football is officially back in Nashville as players reported to Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park on Tuesday to kick off the 2025 Training Camp. While the arrival of veterans and rookies signals a fresh start, the new season begins with immediate intrigue, including a key defensive holdout, a new face in the running back room, and immense pressure on a defense looking to repeat its elite 2024 performance.
With most other second-round picks around the league having signed, Femi Oladejo's deal is expected soon, but his absence is notable as rookies report.
The doors to Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park swung open Tuesday, welcoming the 2025 Tennessee Titans. The day was a flurry of activity, with players undergoing physicals and participating in initial team meetings. While the on-field action won't heat up for a few days, the official start of camp sets the stage for the critical evaluation period. Head Coach Brian Callahan and his staff now begin the process of whittling down the roster and installing their schemes for the season ahead.
While veterans and rookies filed in, one notable player was missing from the contractually-obligated group: second-round draft pick Femi Oladejo. The promising linebacker from UCLA remains the team's lone unsigned draft pick. While there's no widespread panic yet—these deals often come down to the wire over minor details—his absence is a storyline to watch. As other second-rounders across the NFL ink their deals, the pressure mounts to get Oladejo in the building and learning the playbook, especially with the defense facing significant changes.
Speaking of the defense, the spotlight shines brightest on coordinator Dennard Wilson. After leading the unit to a second-place finish in total yards allowed last season, expectations are sky-high for an encore. However, the challenge is greater this year following the departure of star pass-rusher Harold Landry III. The team is counting on big contributions from free-agent acquisition Dre'Mont Jones and the eventual arrival of Oladejo to fill the void. The health and leadership of star cornerback L'Jarius Sneed will be paramount for a secondary that needs to be a stabilizing force. Wilson's ability to adapt and maintain defensive dominance could very well define the Titans' season and impact his own future, as well as that of Coach Callahan.
Just in time for camp, the Titans filled an open roster spot by signing running back Jordan Mims. The former Saints player, who saw action in 12 games last season, adds another layer of competition to the backfield. He'll be thrown directly into a battle for a backup role behind the established starters, competing with returning veteran Julius Chestnut and intriguing rookie Kalel Mullings. This move signals the front office's desire to create fierce competition at every position from day one.
Beyond the marquee position battles, camp will also be a proving ground for the third phase of the game. The Titans have several new faces competing for key roles on special teams, from the return game to coverage units. With unsettled situations at kicker and punter, these competitions will be watched closely throughout the preseason as the team looks to build a reliable and dynamic special teams unit.
With players officially in the building, the real work is about to begin. The immediate focus will be on getting Femi Oladejo's contract signed and seeing how the new pieces, like Jordan Mims, fit in. But the overarching story of this camp will be the evolution of Dennard Wilson's defense and whether this team has the firepower to build on last season's success. The first padded practice can't come soon enough.
