The Tennessee Titans will hold a wide-open competition at linebacker in training camp. Veteran free-agent signing Cody Barton will occupy one position. The expectation is that the second starting spot will be determined by a battle between sophomores Cedric Gray and James Williams.
Both Williams and Gray are inexperienced players. Though the Titans are invested in their development, they should hardly be handed a starting gig this offseason. There are other lesser-known defenders attempting to enter the competition for a 53-man roster spot at linebacker.
One worth monitoring this offseason is former Vanderbilt player Anfernee Orji.
Orji was claimed off waivers by the Titans earlier this offseason. That means new general manager Mike Borgonzi made the decision to bring Orji in. That's somewhat notable because Borgonzi inherited Gray and Williams at linebacker from the previous GM.
Orji first entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints following the 2023 NFL Draft. He spent portions of the previous two seasons in New Orleans before joining the Titans this offseason. Orji played 146 defensive snaps last year and occasionally flashed a violent downhill trigger as a run defender.
Anfernee Orji could flip the Titans depth chart in 2025
There are other Titans linebackers on the roster attempting to impress the coaching staff. Amari Burney and Curtis Jacobs join Orji as lesser-known veterans. Otis Reese IV is an intriguing holdover who needs to get healthy after being sidelined at OTAs and minicamp. Rookie David Gbenda is a high-profile undrafted free agent.
The Titans can't keep them all.
Head coach Brian Callahan has previously stated that training camp will help the team sort through the numbers at linebacker. That makes sense. It's a physical position that requires contact and padded practices to properly evaluate.
Orji is among the underdogs heading into camp. The sample size is limited, but encouraging. Orji possesses an opportunity to be an offseason surprise in Nashville.
