Everyone wants to know what the Tennessee Titans are going to do with the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but with the evaluation process just having started, it is far too early to say for sure.
The Titans will undoubtedly do their due diligence on top quarterback prospects Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward over the next few months. The need for a new quarterback in Music City is real. But do the Titans believe that Sanders or Ward can be a face-of-the-franchise for the next decade? If not, it’s very possible Tennessee pursues veteran options at the quarterback position via free agency or the trade market.
Here’s a look at the realistic Titans veteran quarterback options in 2025 if Tennessee passes on drafting a rookie.
Matthew Stafford
Rumor was spreading that Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford could be headed for retirement after the 2024 season. Stafford recently put those to bed, confirming that he wants to play in 2025. But will he remain with the Rams?
Stafford’s contract has two years and $58 million remaining, including $27 million in 2025 only $4 million that is fully guaranteed. The consensus is that Stafford on the Rams will need to rework his contract in order for him to return. Rams head coach Sean McVay is hoping to get that clarity sooner rather than later, but avoided questions about whether or not Stafford would be his QB next season.
“We’ll talk about all those things at the appropriate time," said McVay. “The quarterback is always the first thing in mind as it relates to how you move forward with the team."
Titans head coach Brian Callahan was Stafford’s quarterbacks coach in Detroit from 2016-2017. There is a really strong relationship and some history between Callahan and Stafford. It could make sense for them to reunite in Tennessee. Stafford has everything Callahan wants in a franchise quarterback. He is an elite post-snap processor, throws with accuracy, plays with toughness, and is an exemplary teammate.
If the Rams are willing to play ball, look out for a trade that brings Stafford to Nashville.
Sam Darnold
The more I kick the tires on the possibility of Sam Darnold becoming a Tennessee Titan, the more I think it is a viable option.
All of the Titans' veteran quarterback options will need to be cut by their current team or acquired in a trade. New GM Mike Borgonzi has made his stance pretty clear on trading away draft picks. The Titans won’t be in the business of doing it if they can help it. The plan is to build a sustained contender through the draft.
With Sam Darnold being an unrestricted free agent this offseason, signing him is one option that would not cost the Titans any picks.
I certainly think Darnold is good enough to lead a playoff team. We’ve already seen that with the Minnesota Vikings. I have my doubts about what his ceiling might be and his ability to win multiple playoff games, but if the Titans are looking to simply get off the ground floor and have competent quarterback play in 2025, Darnold is not a bad bet.
The biggest thing here is going to be the contract and the amount of guaranteed money that Darnold will be asking for. He’s going to get well over $100 million on the open market...Spotrac's market value estimator has Darnold getting a four-year, $160 million contract. Quite frankly, that's an overpay. But it’s really the guaranteed figure that will make a difference.
Give Darnold a signing bonus. Make his 2025 and 2026 salaries fully guaranteed. Commit to him for two seasons, but give yourself enough flexibility to get out of the contract if it ends up going south. If the Titans can do that, I might be able to get behind signing Darnold in free agency and using the first overall draft pick to trade back and bring in additional assets.
Kirk Cousins
This time last year, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was the most coveted QB on the market. Cousin signed a massive four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons in the 2024 offseason that included $100 million guaranteed. Months later, Cousins was benched before the end of the year while rookie Michael Penix Jr. took things over.
The selection of Penix with the 8th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was not exactly a vote of confidence for Cousins, but it’s also clear that some arm injuries impacted the 36-year-old veteran's performance. Cousins was not playing up to his abilities, despite having a 7-7 record as Atlanta's starter.
Cousins currently remains unsure of his NFL future, but he is thought to be wanting a new opportunity in 2025. The Titans could bring Cousins in as your typical bridge quarterback. I could even see the Titans doing this with a rookie on the roster that needs to sit and develop.
The most attractive thing about Cousins is the price tag. Assuming the Falcons cut him this offseason, they will be paying him so much money that a team like Tennessee could swoop in and sign him for pennies on the dollar. It would be similar to what the Steelers did with Russell Wilson last year.
Cousins may not get Titans fans excited, but it’s an improvement from what Tennessee had in 2024. It raises your floor as a team and the ceiling could be higher than we realize if Cousins is fully healthy again.
