While a lot went wrong for the Tennessee Titans in 2023, one area where the team thrived was with its specialists, although that group did not make it through the campaign unscathed.
Kicker Nick Folk did miss some big kicks but was stellar overall, making 29 of 30 field goal attempts and 28 of 30 extra points. His 96.7 percent success rate with field goals was tops in the NFL.
Punter Ryan Stonehouse was on pace for another record-breaking season before he fell victim to atrocious special teams play. His replacement and fellow punter Ty Zentner was solid in Stonehouse’s absence.
Last but not least, long snapper Morgan Cox was once again quiet, which is exactly what you want from the position. He remains one of the very best in the business.
In what is our final offseason preview for the Titans, we take a look at the specialists who are under contract, pending free agents, and the team’s biggest needs.
Under contract
Under contract: P Ryan Stonehouse, P Ty Zentner
Stonehouse, who is a top candidate to get an extension this year as he enters the final year of his contract, has been fantastic over his first two seasons.
Unfortunately, the Titans nearly got him killed last year with embarrassingly bad special teams play that resulted in him suffering a season-ending injury.
Thankfully, Stonehouse’s recovery seems to be going well and he’ll be back in 2024. Whether or not that’s for the start of the season remains to be seen, though.
Zentner was Stonehouse’s replacement after he went on the shelf, and while he doesn’t have the big leg the Colorado State product has (nobody does), he was more than sufficient in a relief role.
Tennessee should hang on to Zentner until it’s certain Stonehouse will be ready for the start of the season.
Pending free agents
Pending free agents: K Nick Folk, LS Morgan Cox
Folk was great for Tennessee last season, his one missed field goal and two missed extra points not withstanding. Bringing him back in 2024 is a no-brainer, assuming the interest is mutual.
Cox is elite at his job and, like Folk, is a no-brainer to retain.
Biggest needs
Biggest needs: Kicker, long snapper
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
All the Titans need to do here is bring back Folk and Cox, and hold on to Zentner as an insurance policy for Stonehouse in the event he isn’t ready before the start of the season.
Thankfully, if things go south with Folk and he isn’t brought back, there are some good options out there in free agency. But whatever Tennessee does, it must avoid going back into the dark ages at kicker.
Check out our other offseason previews
