The Titans are targeting Steelers' T.J. Watt in a massive trade rumor for the 2025 season. With L'Jarius Sneed healthy, is this the defensive fix they need?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when you thought the holiday week would be quiet, the Tennessee Titans ignited fireworks of their own. Reports surfaced Thursday that the team is actively engaged in trade talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers for superstar pass rusher T.J. Watt. The potential move, which would see the Titans send a package of valuable draft picks to Pittsburgh, signals a massive, aggressive shift in strategy to fix a defense that was a liability throughout the 2024 season.
I'm healthy. I'm healthy as I've been... it's time to come out and show the world what God's been instilling in me this entire year.
The pursuit of T.J. Watt is more than just a rumor; it's a statement of intent from head coach Brian Callahan and the front office. After a dismal 3-14 campaign, patience is clearly not on the menu. Adding a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate like Watt would instantly transform the Titans' pass rush, providing a disruptive force that the team has lacked. While the cost in draft capital would be significant, landing a player of Watt's caliber could fundamentally alter the trajectory of the franchise's defense for years to come.
The potential Watt acquisition is amplified by more good news on the defensive side of the ball. Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, whose first season in Tennessee was derailed by a quadriceps injury after just five games, declared himself 'fully healthy' and ready to dominate. Sneed's confident message is exactly what fans needed to hear. A lockdown corner on the back end and an elite pass rusher up front is the recipe for a formidable defense. After finishing near the bottom of the league, the prospect of a healthy Sneed and a potential Watt addition offers a tantalizing glimpse of a defensive rebirth in Nashville.
While the defense dominated the headlines, the offense continued its own quiet reshaping. The Titans added running back depth by signing former 49ers third-round pick Tyrion Davis-Price, a move that adds another layer of competition to a backfield led by Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. This move comes as the team prepares to usher in a new era under center, with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward from Miami expected to compete for the starting job immediately. Alongside other key draft picks like WR Chimere Dike and RB Kalel Mullings, the Titans are building a new offensive identity from the ground up.
Despite the optimism and splashy moves, analysts caution that the roster still has holes. Former NFL QB Kurt Benkert noted that the team still needs help at wide receiver. While the duo of Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins is potent, the depth behind them remains a significant question mark heading into training camp. The team is hopeful that second-year wideout Bryce Oliver can step up, but the lack of a proven third option is a vulnerability that opponents will look to exploit. This will be a key position battle to watch as the team reports for camp.
The Titans are clearly done with mediocrity. Between the aggressive pursuit of a superstar like T.J. Watt, the return of a healthy L'Jarius Sneed, and the franchise-altering potential of No. 1 pick Cam Ward, the message from the front office is clear: the rebuild is being fast-tracked. As training camp looms, all eyes will be on whether these bold moves can translate from paper to performance, potentially turning a 3-14 team into a contender far sooner than anyone expected.
