Changes to the Roster: Titans Cut OLB, Hold LB, Harold Landry, DL Keondre Coburn, and Otis Reese IV Have One-Year Contracts
The Tennessee Titans, a staple of the NFL’s competitive AFC South division, have made several significant changes to their roster heading into the 2025 season. Among the major moves are the cuts of outside linebacker (OLB) Harold Landry, the decision to hold linebacker (LB) as a critical positional need, and the acquisition of defensive linemen Keondre Coburn and Otis Reese IV, both signed to one-year contracts. These changes come as part of a strategic overhaul that the team hopes will help propel them back into playoff contention.
Harold Landry: A Costly Cut for the Titans
One of the most talked-about decisions in Nashville over the last few weeks was the decision to cut Harold Landry, the once-promising outside linebacker. Landry’s release is one that stunned many fans and analysts, especially considering his role as a key pass rusher for the Titans in previous seasons. Landry, a second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, showed flashes of brilliance during his early career, particularly in the 2021 season when he totaled 12 sacks, making him one of the top defensive threats in the league.
However, Landry’s tenure in Tennessee has been marked by ups and downs. After suffering a torn ACL during the 2022 offseason, he was sidelined for the entirety of that season. While there were high hopes for his return to form, Landry never seemed to regain the same explosiveness that made him a feared pass rusher. The 2023 season saw a drop in his production, finishing with just 5.5 sacks and struggling with consistency, leading to questions about his future with the team.
The decision to release Landry was a difficult one for the Titans’ front office. On the one hand, his potential was undeniable. On the other hand, his large contract was a significant burden on the team’s salary cap. In addition, the team needed to make space for younger, more promising players who could contribute in the long term.
Cutting Landry clears up more than $13 million in cap space, allowing the Titans to reinvest in areas of greater need, such as offensive line depth and wide receiver support. The move also reflects a shift in philosophy for the Titans, as they may be looking to develop their defense around more versatile and cheaper pieces moving forward.
The Hold at Linebacker: A Critical Positional Need
In contrast to the Landry move, the Titans have decided to hold linebacker as a critical positional need heading into the 2025 season. While some may have expected Tennessee to make moves to bolster their linebacker corps, especially in the wake of Landry’s departure, the Titans are instead focused on retaining key players and adding depth where possible.
The linebacker position in the NFL is one that demands versatility, and the Titans have some interesting pieces in their current roster. The most notable of these players is Rashaan Evans, who has been a leader on the defense since his arrival in 2018. Evans has become a staple in the middle of the Titans’ defense, capable of making plays in both the run game and the passing game. Evans’ ability to stop the run has been invaluable, and his experience in coverage has been a huge asset in defending against the more mobile quarterbacks that have become the norm in the NFL.
Another linebacker who plays a crucial role in the Titans’ defensive scheme is David Long Jr. Long has emerged as one of the team’s top defensive players, with his speed and agility allowing him to make plays all over the field. He is capable of covering tight ends, running backs, and even wide receivers in certain situations, making him a key part of the Titans’ defensive philosophy. Long has been especially effective in third-down situations, where his ability to cover space and read the quarterback’s intentions has often led to turnovers and critical stops.
However, while the Titans have a solid core of linebackers, they still have significant gaps in depth. It’s possible the team may look to sign another linebacker or use the draft to address this issue, but for now, the Titans seem content with their current roster and are focused on developing the players they have. The future of this group will likely depend on how well they can continue to evolve with the defensive scheme and how the defensive line performs in creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Keondre Coburn: A New Addition to the Defensive Line
One of the more intriguing moves by the Titans has been the acquisition of defensive lineman Keondre Coburn. Coburn, who was a standout player at the University of Texas, was signed to a one-year contract in the offseason. The 6-foot-2, 340-pound defensive tackle comes to the Titans with a reputation for being a disruptive force in the interior of the defensive line. His size and strength make him an ideal player for stuffing the run, while his quickness off the snap makes him a potential threat as a pass rusher.
Coburn’s addition is significant for the Titans because the team struggled to generate consistent pressure from the interior of the defensive line in the past seasons. While players like Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry have been effective at the edge, the team has struggled to find consistent production from its interior defensive linemen. Coburn offers the potential to change that dynamic. He is an excellent run defender and can occupy blockers in a way that allows other defensive linemen and linebackers to make plays. He also has the potential to contribute as a pass rusher, particularly on passing downs, where his quickness can create disruption in the pocket.
The one-year contract for Coburn is likely a low-risk, high-reward move for the Titans. If Coburn lives up to his potential, he could be a key player for the team’s defense, especially in the middle of the field. However, if his performance falls short of expectations, the Titans will not be tied to him long-term, and they can look for other options in the future. Given the team’s defensive philosophy, Coburn’s ability to eat up space and keep blockers occupied will be crucial in the team’s quest to improve against the run and create more opportunities for their edge rushers.
Otis Reese IV: A Versatile Defensive Weapon
The signing of linebacker Otis Reese IV to a one-year contract also raises some eyebrows. Reese, who has played at both the linebacker and safety positions, offers the Titans a versatile weapon in their defensive scheme. Reese’s ability to play multiple positions allows the Titans to move him around depending on the needs of the game. His speed, agility, and coverage skills make him an ideal candidate for covering tight ends and running backs, and his physicality allows him to be effective in run support as well.
Reese’s flexibility is especially valuable in the NFL, where teams are increasingly looking for players who can do more than one job. The Titans have made it clear that they value versatility in their defensive players, and Reese is a perfect fit for that philosophy. His background as both a linebacker and a safety means he can contribute to a variety of defensive schemes, and he could emerge as a key role player in the Titans’ defense.
The one-year contract indicates that the Titans are still evaluating Reese’s potential, but the hope is that he will develop into a dependable contributor. Whether he becomes a full-time starter or a valuable rotational player, Reese’s adaptability and skill set could give the Titans’ defense an added dimension that they have lacked in recent seasons.
Roster Adjustments and the Road Ahead
As the 2025 season approaches, the Tennessee Titans are undergoing significant roster changes in an effort to improve both their defensive and offensive units. The decision to cut Harold Landry, while difficult, was a necessary step to clear cap space and allow for the addition of younger, more affordable talent. Meanwhile, the team’s focus on holding linebacker as a key positional need and bringing in players like Keondre Coburn and Otis Reese IV signals a commitment to building a versatile and adaptable defense.
The Titans are clearly in a period of transition, seeking to evolve their roster and position themselves for long-term success. The decisions made this offseason will have lasting impacts on the team’s future, but they also represent an acknowledgment of the challenges faced in recent seasons. With a revamped defense, a solid group of linebackers, and the hope that new players can fill important gaps, the Titans are aiming to recapture their competitive edge in the AFC South and make another run at playoff contention.
As the new season begins, the full impact of these roster changes will become clear, but for now, the Titans’ front office and coaching staff are making the moves they believe are necessary to put their team in the best possible position to succeed.