Titans GM excited for new-look Tennessee featuring Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard and more

ORLANDO, Fla. – Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon cannot wait for his team’s first practice together later this offseason.

He may even bring some popcorn to indulge while sitting in his front-row seat.

With Calvin Ridley joining DeAndre Hopkins at receiver, and cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed (his new deal to still be finalized) and Chidobe Awuzie as the new one-two punch to slow down the AFC South’s talented quarterbacks, Carthon can’t wait to see his players get after it in practice.

“We got Ridley, and at the timing of this we’ll see where we are with Sneed, but even a guy like Chido, it’s no guarantee who’s going to go out there first. I don’t know if D-Hop is going to let Ridley go out there first battle in one-on-ones,” Carthon told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday at NFL league meetings.

“It’s going to be competitive all the way around, and it’s only going to enhance the competitive nature of the team.”

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Add signings like running back Tony Pollard and linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., the potential young quarterback Will Levis showed as a rookie and new coach Brian Callahan entering the mix, the Titans could be in for an exciting new regime beginning in 2024.

Callahan replaces Mike Vrabel, who was fired after six seasons. Quarterback play prevented the franchise from recapturing the run they had to the AFC championship game in 2019, and resulted in a 13-24 record in his last two seasons.

Carthon’s chemistry with Callahan, the former Bengals offensive coordinator who coached Joe Burrow since 2019, continues to be a work in progress but it feels like they are speaking the same language.

Callahan worked under Bengals coach Zac Taylor, who learned from Rams coach Sean McVay, who learned from Mike Shanahan in Washington, while Carthon spent six seasons with Kyle Shanahan in the San Francisco 49ers’ front office before joining Tennessee a year ago.

“I understand the language, if you will," Carthon said of him and Callahan. "For a lack of a better word, I’m fluent so I can speak his language and understand it.

“And then again with Brian, he’s an awesome dude. He’s very conscientious, very thought out and detailed. I’m excited to work with him and bring his vision to light.”

Carthon said he and Callahan entered this offseason keen on adding players who could help the Titans develop their culture.

They believe they’re off to a nice start ahead of the 2024 NFL draft, during which the Titans have eight picks; No. 7 in the first round, No. 38 in the second-round, and six in Rounds 4-7 where roster depth could be filled.

“It’s been good to get the players we got. We look at it from a level of getting quality players and quality people to our team that’s going to help enhance our culture and what we’re trying to build,” Carthon said.

“We feel like we’ve done a good job so far. There’s still a ton of work to be done with the draft coming up so looking forward to that. It’s just part of building this team the way Brian and I see it.”