The Tennessee Titans are in need of pairing star wide receiver Calvin Ridley with another talented player in the position group.
Last season, that player became Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who led the team with nine touchdowns.
CBS Sports writer Cody Benjamin believes that the Titans need to bring Westbrook-Ikhine back into the fold for the 2025 season.
"As with other rebuilding squads, they don't have an abundance of "must-keep" free agents. Westbrook-Ikhine has at least flashed big-play ability at an aging wideout spot," Benjamin writes.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan agrees with Benjamin, singing Westbrook-Ikhine's praises in a recent press conference.
"I would love to have Nick back, and I expressed that to him when we left," Callahan said via team reporter Jim Wyatt. "Markets are going to start to unfold here, and we'll see where all that lands. But certainly would love to have him back."
"There are a handful of guys (with expiring contracts) that I would love to have back, that are key contributors as teammates, leaders and players."
The same can be said for wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, who also is happy with Westbrook-Ikhine and his development over the last five years with the team.
"He's a very reliable, trustworthy guy," Tolbert said via ESPN insider Turron Davenport. "He plays all three positions. Nick had an opportunity to play and he produced. He's done a really good job and I hope he continues his success."
Westbrook-Ikhine caught 32 passes for a career-high 497 yards and nine touchdowns, nearly doubling his accumulated total from the previous three seasons.
If the Titans bring back Westbrook-Ikhine, it gives them someone who is liked and well-respected in the locker room, which good give whichever new quarterback coming in someone strong to work with.
Titans Predicted to Reunite With Former 'Face of the Franchise'
The Tennessee Titans aren't a quarterback away from being contenders but they do need to upgrade the position. Will Levis struggled mightily in 2024 and the team likely has questions about whether or not he's a starting NFL quarterback.
The Titans hold the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and could use that pick to address the quarterback need. Regardless, Levis is the only quarterback on the roster right now so the team will likely add at least one veteran in free agency.
There's been talk about names like Aaron Rodgers and Sam Darnold but the Titans might prefer to reunite with a familiar face.
Mike Jones of The Athletic made a free agent prediction for every NFL team this offseason and projects Tennessee to sign Marcus Mariota.
"Let’s face it: Will Levis is not the answer," Jones wrote. "And because they own the top pick in the draft, the Titans can fill their need for a franchise quarterback. But whether it’s Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, the rookie of choice could take some time to develop. The smart move: Bring back former face of the franchise Marcus Mariota (2015-19) to serve as the bridge or as a valuable veteran mentor (similar to what he did last season with Jayden Daniels) to help a young QB navigate the pro game."
As Jones noted, Mariota spent the 2024 season serving as Jayden Daniels' backup for the Washington Commanders. He knows the pressures of being a highly drafted quarterback and could potentially help somebody like Cam Ward if that's who the Titans decide to draft.
