What's next for the Titans after trading WR Hopkins and LB Jones?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – There was a lot of excitement at St. Thomas Sports Park in August as the Tennessee Titans prepared to start the season. The influx of experienced newcomers such as L'Jarius Sneed, Calvin Ridley and Ernest Jones IV, as well as new offensive-minded coach Brian Callahan, raised high hopes.

Then the regular season began.

Callahan had some explaining to do after a 1-5 start led to a change in course that included trading wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, one of their top offensive players, and Jones, one of their top defenders.

“That's the reality of the NFL business, and when you're in a situation like we're in – a situation we didn't want to be in – when you get to these turning points in the season, things like “This is happening,” Callahan said. “That's just the cycle of how it works. And we're in a situation right now where we're trying to find a way out.”

Callahan said Wednesday that he would “expect some movement on the roster in the near future.” Two moves before the November 5th trade deadline would make it seem like this could be a sign that the Titans are throwing in the towel on the season. That's a tough sell for players on one-year deals, like safety Quandre Diggs.

Diggs admitted the process was frustrating. But he maintains he still has a job to do.

“I’ve been traded before, so I understand the business,” Diggs said. “I control what I can control; how I get to work, how I deal with my attitude. That's an expectation when you've been doing it for a long time. Come to work and have a standard of play.”

The bubble burst Wednesday morning when Hopkins was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs and Jones was traded to the Seattle Seahawks.

Brian Callahan explains how he explains what's going on #Titans Veterans gambling for their future: pic.twitter.com/Ywhsvq8KLF

– TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) October 23, 2024

Tennessee's goal this season was obviously to win. But the Titans also wanted to see what they had in second-year quarterback Will Levis, who showed signs of being a franchise quarterback after posting 1,808 passing yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions as a rookie.

“All we hoped for from the season was a really solid, concrete evaluation of Will as the starting quarterback,” Callahan said.

Trading Hopkins, who caught seven of Levi's eight touchdown passes last season, doesn't appear to help get the best assessment of his young quarterback.

“I know that he and Hop had a good connection in the early stages of Will's career and definitely helped him in his development,” Callahan said. “It’s part of the process, and you have to find ways to befriend whoever you’re throwing it at.”

Now that group consists of Ridley, veteran free agent Tyler Boyd, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and rookie Jha'Quan Jackson. However, according to Callahan, Levis is listed week-to-week with a Grade 2 AC sprain, and the Titans are leaning toward starting Mason Rudolph on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, FOX) against the Detroit Lions (5-1).

The promise at the start of the season has deteriorated into a franchise going through a bit of a fire sale. Callahan remains adamant that Tennessee remains focused on winning.

“My goal is to win as many games as possible,” Callahan said. “We will do everything we can to put the players in a position to be victorious. We may have different players, but that’s just the way it is.”

The season is not lost yet. Veteran outside linebacker Arden Key said the remaining players need to focus on the team and playing together. Key believes that if they succeed, good things will follow.

“I feel like if we get a win against the Detroit Lions, who are a great team and are playing quality football right now, then I think that will give us a couple of wins,” Key said.

It won't be impossible for the Titans to climb out of the AFC South cellar, but catching up will be difficult if the snowball effect doesn't start sooner rather than later.