Cap Space Windfall Could Redefine Titans’ Future Under New Leadership
An integral part of yearly trade deadline conversations around the NFL is an involved team's outlook given their seasonal progress up to that point. For the 1-8 Tennessee Titans, it's all about what comes after right now, because right now is about as unbearable as it gets for a fanbase that has long been in wait for success.
In addition to moving a key defensive piece ahead of the deadline, in exchange for some draft capital, the Titans are gearing up for bigger roster additions in the near future with one of the highest salary caps in the entire league.
More Money, Less Problems
The team's timing, even at the expense of a second notch in the win column, couldn't be any better. As frustrating as it is for those aforementioned fans to watch through the process, having a bevy of rookies (mostly on offense) and young talent in place already bodes well for the remaining money still to be spent elsewhere.
Heading towards another rebuild under whatever head coaching candidate is chosen to replace Brian Callahan, the franchise may have to wait until that name is made official to shift any major sand regarding the roster. Even so, taking a look at the numbers, it's hard not to be excited by the outlook.
Veterans on the Move
The Titans will reportedly have $108 million in cap space next year according to OverTheCap's projections, which would situate them with the second most in the NFL. Of course, as mentioned in the post above by Mike Herndon, that isn't even accounting for the team's likelihood to part ways with veteran pieces on either side of the ball, such as Calvin Ridley, L'Jarius Sneed and Tony Pollard, to name the heavy-hitters.
If those guys go, the Titans could be looking at an additional $25-30 million (roughly) on top of the heaping total they've already managed to stack. Put simply, whoever takes the reins in Tennessee will have more than enough resources to put together a team that looks completely different from the one that's struggling now.
Still, for the time being, that's only wishful thinking for a Titans team that just lost their fourth straight game. With or without Brian Callahan at the helm, the franchise's lost state will continue to define them until something of worth is drawn from the wreckage by the next-man-up.
Broncos QB Bo Nix Gives Strong Reaction After Trade Deadline Decision
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Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the Houston Texans.
The Denver Broncos let the 2025 trade deadline come and go without getting anything done. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix offered strong thoughts about why that was. He also spoke about what it means for the team this season.
It was not as if the Broncos did not try. However, their desire fell short of what was required to make something happen.
For Nix, the decision came as little to no surprise.
Bo Nix: ‘Great’ Broncos Confident Enough to Stand Pat at Trade Deadline
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos reacts after defeating the New York Giants.
Nix fielded a question about what is says to the team that the Broncos did not go all out to add a piece. Particularly, he was asked what it says about head coach Sean Payton’s faith in the group.
Nix called it “great.”
“Obviously, if there’s a need, you want to get it,” Nix told reporters on November 4. “But we feel like we got all the pieces. And so, sometimes when something like that happens, it shakes things up. And we got something good going, and we just want to keep riding this wave and finding ways to win.”
Much of the conversation around the Broncos’ trade plans stemmed from seeking help for Nix, be it another target or protection amid injuries to their offensive line.
The Broncos attempted to bring in tight ends and explored wide receiver trades.
Their biggest addition was veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis, who will have a bit role on the field and provide a locker room presence. Other than that, it is up to Nix and his current crop of pass catchers to take the necessary next steps.
Broncos WR Reacts to Trade Deadline
GettyTroy Franklin #11 of the Denver Broncos reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts.
One of Nix’s top targets, current Broncos wideout and former Oregon Ducks teammate Troy Franklin, spoke candidly about the Broncos’ lack of action at the deadline.
According to Franklin, it was not surprising based on what they had been told.
“Sean (Payton has) been telling us all year he loves our team, loves the receiver group and we don’t really need anything, so he’s kept his word,” Franklin said, per The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson in a post on X on November 4.
Payton said leading up to the deadline that the Broncos would be open to a deal. However, that was only if it provided actual value, and not just to make something happen.
Franklin “especially” did not expect a WR move, per Tomasson, but Denver explored its options.
“The Broncos did NOT make a trade before the trade deadline,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens reported on X on November 4. “From my understanding, they looked into making moves, but didn’t force anything.”
Bo Nix: Broncos Looking to ‘Improve Faster’ Than Competition
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos on the field after defeating the Houston Texans.
Nix acknowledged the Broncos’ fourth-quarter prowess has belied the difficulty of scoring. He joked that not facing a top defense like the Houston Texans in Week 9 would help. He also noted that the Broncos are far from satisfied with so much of the season left.
At 7-2, tied for the best record in the NFL, and riding a six-game winning streak is nice, but hardly their end goal.
Their main focus is continuing to improve.
“We have so many things that we want to correct. And we feel like we haven’t even played a complete game offensively, much less, as a team. And so, I think once we start doing that, then we got to be careful about being too lax. But until then, we’re all in a growth mindset, and we’re worried about the things that we can fix,” Nix told reporters on Tuesday.
“Because there’s several of them from each position that we’re trying to focus on. And until we’re hitting all the ones that we need to hit, I don’t think we’re going to be able to be relaxed. Because we have a lot of guys that are competitive. We don’t have a bunch of frontrunners. We just got a locker room full of guys that are trying to race to improve, and improve faster than everybody else in the league.”
