As the Tennessee Titans gear up for the offseason, they find themselves in a captivating dilemma. With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft securely in their grasp and a pressing need for a quarterback, the Titans are at a crossroads. However, the lack of an elite quarterback prospect in this draft class has sparked plenty of discussion about whether the Titans might consider trading that coveted pick instead.
The Titans could also opt to keep the pick but bypass the quarterback position altogether, potentially bringing in highly touted talents like Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter. Regardless of the strategy they choose, all eyes will be firmly fixed on Tennessee and the pivotal decisions they will make in the coming weeks.
If they decide to either trade out of that top slot or select a non-quarterback, the question becomes: who will be under center next season? They might maintain the status quo with Will Levis or re-sign Mason Rudolph, but the option to bring in a veteran quarterback who can steady the ship is also on the table.
Pro Football Network’s Ben Rolfe presents an interesting perspective, suggesting that the Titans may lean towards drafting a quarterback with that No. 1 pick while bringing in someone like Russell Wilson for a year. The rationale is that a veteran presence could provide a solid transitional phase for a rookie quarterback to develop. “They are expected to take a quarterback with the first overall pick, but whether it is Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, there is no guarantee that they will be ready to start in 2025. Therefore, the Titans could need a bridge quarterback this season… Signing a veteran like Russell Wilson on a one-year deal is the short-term option,” Rolfe notes.
However, it’s worth examining the viability of this plan. In today’s NFL landscape, drafting a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick only to have him ride the bench does not align well with contemporary strategies. While it’s conceivable that Wilson could hold down the fort for a handful of weeks to ease a rookie into the role, there is scant evidence that this approach significantly accelerates a young quarterback’s development.
When considering Wilson specifically, there are numerous factors that suggest he might not be inclined to join the Titans as a stopgap. Rolfe hints at this as well but does not delve deeply enough into the implications. Wilson will likely be seeking starter-level compensation, and while he may not achieve the astronomical figures seen in previous contracts, it’s reasonable to believe that another franchise might offer him a substantial deal. It becomes difficult to envision the Titans committing any significant financial resources to a quarterback who would not be their starter.
In summary, if the Titans land a quarterback with the first overall pick, the expectation is that he will take the reins as the starter come Week 1. Given that context, the logic behind bringing Wilson in as a dual option alongside the rookie appears tenuous at best. The Titans face a crucial offseason filled with decisions that could shape the trajectory of their franchise, and as they assess their choices, the implications will be watched closely by fans and analysts alike.
