NASHVILLE – With three OTAs completed and three remaining before the upcoming three-day minicamp, the offseason is flying by — and starting tomorrow, training camp will officially be just a month away. Hard to believe, huh?
Edward McKinney from Nashville asked about linebacker Cody Barton, expressing surprise that despite his consistent 100+ tackle seasons over the past three years, he’s bounced around several teams and was easily available in free agency. He wondered how Barton’s skill set stacks up as a run or pass defender and what kind of impact he might have on the Titans’ linebacker room. He also questioned whether the Titans have finally addressed their issues at middle linebacker with Barton, Cedric Gray, Otis Reese, and James Williams in the mix.
Jim Wyatt responded by highlighting Barton’s versatility and leadership, noting that the Titans see him as a reliable three-down linebacker. Barton’s ability to defend the run, cover in pass situations, and act as the defensive signal-caller makes him a valuable asset. However, Wyatt said one of the big questions going into the season is who will play alongside Barton, suggesting the competition at linebacker is far from settled among the current group.
William Merriweather from Clarksville was curious about which rookies have stood out during the early, non-padded phases of OTAs. He asked Jim for his observations on standout performances.
Jim mentioned a few names, starting with quarterback Cam Ward, who, although an obvious choice, has impressed early on. Edge rusher Femi Oladejo has shown great energy and physicality, while wide receivers Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike have stood out with solid catches and consistent presence. Dike, in particular, had a strong showing with a notable reception in traffic during Friday’s session.
Kameron Elfrink from Washington asked about Jha’Quan Jackson’s role as a returner, noting that the former Tulane standout was benched last season due to ball security issues but hopes he’ll rebound this year. Jim said Jackson is once again competing for return duties, alongside several others including Xavier Restrepo, TJ Sheffield, James Proche II, and Dike. He emphasized that Jackson needs another strong camp to solidify his role and noted his character and work ethic make him easy to root for.
Finally, Ed Pierce from Nashville brought up the emotional and logistical effects of a long road game stretch. He wondered if extended travel really affects players’ motivation and performance. Jim acknowledged the upcoming road trip from Houston to Arizona to Las Vegas will be a challenge due to the travel demands. However, he pointed out a positive: the Titans will be home from early November through early December, offering a chance to regroup and gain momentum in the second half of the season.
ParaMcKeeg Russell from Elkhart, Texas raised some pointed concerns about the Titans heading into the new season. While he acknowledges Cam Ward’s potential, he remains cautious, seeing him as a typical rookie project rather than an immediate star. His main concern centers on head coach Brian Callahan, questioning whether he’s grown from last season’s struggles, particularly with play-calling and game management. McKeeg wonders if Callahan will once again be given a pass last year blamed on being a rookie head coach with a poor roster, and possibly this year on having a rookie quarterback. He also asked if there’s a real quarterback competition, expressing a preference to see a more experienced Will Levis over a raw Ward.
Jim Wyatt responded bluntly, pushing back against the idea that Callahan got a free pass. He reminded readers that Callahan took over a struggling team that had gone 6-18 in its previous 24 games and finished 3-14 under challenging conditions, including a quarterback prone to costly turnovers. Wyatt believes the team should improve this season but acknowledges that success will hinge on Cam Ward (if he starts) playing well, with Callahan and his staff responsible for getting him ready. On the quarterback front, Wyatt confirmed there is a real competition between Ward and Levis. Although he expects Ward to win the job, he emphasized it won’t be handed to him without earning it.
Paul Jones from Brentwood asked about L’Jarius Sneed, specifically wondering why the Titans haven’t shown him on camera recently, what might happen if his ongoing legal situation results in a guilty outcome, and whether there’s any chance he might be cut this offseason. He noted that his kids are fans of Sneed and hope to meet him, so he wanted clarity on Sneed’s future with the team.
Jim Wyatt responded by clarifying that there’s no effort to avoid putting Sneed on camera, explaining that media access has been limited and Sneed hasn’t been on the field due to rehab work. Of the 91 players on the roster, only 14 were made available to the media during the most recent session, meaning Sneed was just one of many who didn’t speak. Jim added that Sneed has been around the facility, and while he won’t comment on the legal situation, he expects Sneed to speak to the media eventually.
As for Sneed’s status with the team, Jim made it clear he doesn’t anticipate Sneed being cut. The Titans’ coaching staff, including both the head coach and defensive coordinator, have spoken highly of him, and Jim believes Sneed is on track to play an important role in the 2025 season. While there are still some unknowns tied to the legal process, the team appears to remain confident in Sneed’s presence and value moving forward.
Jason Petty from Lebanon asked about the two remaining unsigned Titans draft picks, Femi Oladejo and Chimere Dike. He noted that while some contract figures have been reported online, he trusts Jim Wyatt for official confirmation, given how the Titans handle media releases. He also asked whether it’s unusual for a team’s first-round pick like Cam Ward in this case to sign before later-round selections like a second- or fourth-rounder, wondering if this kind of signing order is common or worth noting.
Jim Wyatt assured Jason that there’s nothing unusual or concerning about the situation, stating that Oladejo and Dike are the only two of the nine draft picks yet to sign, but their deals will get done eventually. He emphasized that many second-round picks across the league remain unsigned and that rookie contracts often get finalized in waves. There’s no need for alarm, as this is a normal part of the offseason timeline.
In a separate question from Jason Knight of Cleveland, the focus shifted to team leadership. He noted the Titans lost some key veteran leaders over the past two years and asked about the team’s leadership development, especially in light of Head Coach Brian Callahan dividing the roster into eight groups. He also offered a spiritual message and shared his optimism about the team’s direction under the new front office. Jim replied that the energy around the team has been strong and that leadership is starting to take shape, but it will truly reveal itself when the team faces tough moments during the season.
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