4 New Titans Players Rave about Energy of a Rebuild, the Callahans, and Tennessee Whiskey
NASHVILLE — Speaking for the first time Thursday as Tennessee Titans, free-agent acquisitions Tony Pollard, Lloyd Cushenberry, Chidobe Awuzie, and Kenneth Murray raved about the energy in the building, coaches Brian and Bill Callahan, and Tennessee Whiskey — the song, not the liquor.
General manager Ran Carthon and the Titans' refreshed coaching staff did some power shopping for NFL free agents this week in their first big moves toward rebuilding a competitive roster.
Armed with $70 million to $80 million in salary cap space, the Titans have signed seven free agents and re-signed several incumbent players (contract details provided by Spotrac):
- Calvin Ridley, wide receiver, four years, $92 million;
- Lloyd Cushenberry, center, four years, $50 million;
- Chidobe Awuzie, cornerback, three years, $36 million;
- Tony Pollard, running back, three years $21.75 million;
- Kenneth Murray, linebacker, two years, $18 million;
- Nick Folk, placekicker, one year, $3.75 million;
- Mason Rudolph, quarterback, one year, $3.62 million;
- Saahdiq Charles, guard, one year, terms undisclosed;
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, wide receiver, one year, terms undisclosed;
- Julius Chestnut, running back, one year, terms undisclosed;
- Jack Gibbens, linebacker, tendered as exclusive rights free agent;
- and Morgan Cox, long snapper, one year, terms undisclosed.
Here are some of the highlights from Thursday's press conference.
Tony Pollard, running back
Pollard, a younger and smaller running back than longtime Titans great Derrick Henry, likely presages a change in the offensive philosophy and probably a two-man running back committee with Tyjae Spears.
Pollard is a Tennessee guy whose family is here and who followed the Titans as a fan — specifically running backs Chris Johnson and Eddie George. He's happy to be home.
"It was just perfect timing. Everything just worked out the way it should. Me being from Memphis, born and raised in Memphis, went to the University of Memphis, I'm very familiar with the area, got a lot of family out here, so it just made sense for me to be here and be home."
Any extra pressure to replacing Derrick Henry?
"For me personally, not at all. All I'll focus on is coming in and being the best leader I can be this year, contributing to the team, and just winning games."
On sharing the load with Tyjae Spears?
"Just keeping the mindset of controlling what I can control and making the most of my opportunities."
Lloyd Cushenberry, center
In 2023, the Titans' new center played every offensive snap and allowed only one sack. Pro Football Focus, the sports analytics company that grades player performance, ranked Cushenberry as the fifth-best center.
But Cushenberry sees himself improving every year and immediately made clear why he chose the Titans.
"The biggest factor is (offensive line coach) Bill Callahan. His resumé speaks for itself. He's coached a lot of great guys, I've heard a lot of great things about him.
"I think it's a good opportunity to grow my game and take that next step."
On setting an example as a veteran with a young offensive line:
"First of all, I wanna come in and show these guys what kind of worker I am. I'm not really a huge talker off the field. I just want to establish, make sure these guys know I'm a hard worker, lead these guys by example."
More on Bill Callahan
"Got the chance to talk to Ethan Pocic, former center in Cleveland. ... He raved about him. It's just the opportunity I feel like he can take me to the next level. ... He's very detailed. When you get to talk to him, there's just a different level of offensive line play that he unlocks."
On the Titans culture
"The energy is amazing. Walk throughout the building, people smiling and can't wait to get this thing rolling."
Chidobe Awuzie, cornerback
First, the pronunciation. It's CHI-doo-Bay Ah-WOO-zee-ah.
Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, 28, spent three seasons in Cincinnati, where Titans coach Brian Callahan was offensive coordinator. Pro Football Focus ranked Awuzie as the fourth-best free-agent cornerback available.
Awuzie describes himself as "physical, a technician, a brother." He has some familiarity with Tennessee — he made a pre-draft visit here in 2017 — and a lot of familiarity with head coach Brian Callahan, whom Awuzie knew well from their years together in Cincinnati.
"We did a lot of great things together over there as a team. You know, when you make it that far (the 2022 Super Bowl), we all become family. Coach Callahan definitely has all my respect. Probably the No. 1 reason I'm here right now."
On leading as a veteran
"I think the No. 1 thing is earn their respect. Doing what I have to on the field, in the meeting room, getting my body right, and letting people see that first. You know when it's time to speak, do that. At the end of the day, I'm just being myself. If you're around me, I like to push people and I hope to be pushed as well. That's the culture I'm gonna try to bring here: We're all competing, but in a healthy manner."
Kenneth Murray, linebacker
Kenneth Murray started 15 games as a three-down linebacker for the Chargers in 2023 and totaled 107 tackles, three sacks, and an interception. In plainer language, he says "flying around is what I do best. I'm fast and physical. Period. I'm a guy that can make plays all over the field."
He welcomes his fresh start with a team on the rebuild. "I think this place is up and coming. I just want to be part of something special. Just being around here this morning, you can feel it from everybody here. A great, great vibe. When you get that vibe from everybody, not just the coaches, but the equipment staff, the medical staff, it's amazing. We're building something here. We're just getting started."
On changing his uniform No. 9
"Yeah, I know K9 is not gonna be (available), obviously because of the late, great Steve McNair (Titans quarterback who died in 2009). I've taken some things into consideration and so we're going down that journey right now. When we figure out, you guys will know."
Are you a country music guy?
"A little bit. I've gotten cultured over the years. At first I wasn't a country guy, but you know Tennessee Whiskey goes a long way."
Last word for now on free-agent spending
Depending on the source, the Titans' salary cap space ranged from $70 million to $80 million. For the contracts with known numbers, the average annual salaries total around $76 million.
But as Pro Football Network explains, the NFL salary cap is "designed to be exploited. Teams can deploy various mechanisms to push money into the future and create more space in the present. ... For example, signing bonuses are prorated over the life of the contract or five years (whichever is shorter). Although the player receives his cash instantly, his team won’t feel the financial impact immediately."
It's also likely that the Titans will do more shopping for free-agent talent. General manager Ran Carthon said in February that he wants to keep some money for later in the summer when free agents become available — similar to how the Titans signed wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Related Titans stories
- EYES ON ARIK ARMSTEAD: The NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday released Arik Armstead, their longest-tenured player, after he reportedly refused to take a pay cut. Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon knows Armstead well from his six years with the Niners. CLICK HERE
- NUBYJAS WILBORN COLUMN:: Derrick Henry had to go. He was the face of the Tennessee Titans for eight seasons, but the roster has so many holes to fill that re-signing a 30-year-old running back — even one coming off a fourth Pro Bowl season — would have been economically imprudent. CLICK HERE
