The one player we haven’t seen, heard, or have the most questions about in 2025 might determine the Titans’ whole defense.

This offseason, we’ve already talked a lot about CB L’Jarius Sneed of the Tennessee Titans, but we haven’t seen anything at all from him. And whether he returns to practice or not, that conversation will go on because he might have a big impact on the Titans defense future.

The more I consider and observe this squad, the more I believe Sneed is a key component of the whole. He’s currently recovering from an acute quad injury that sidelined him a month into the 2024 season as well as a persistent knee problem. In addition, he is now resolving a legal matter over a purported shooting attempt that occurred at the end of 2024. This spring, he was around the facility rehabbing and meeting with the Titans, but he wasn’t doing any on-field work.

When we talk to his coaches, they always tell us how great he is in the building. Before summer break, head coach Brian Callahan said the following about him: Once the pads are put on in August, it becomes more simpler and more productive to see the defense in action. However, OTAs and the required minicamp didn’t exactly give me more confidence in the more precarious position groupings, based on what we’ve seen thus far from this unit.

The Titans, in my opinion, are positioned at CB, LB, and EDGE like a house of cards. They were positioned in similar manner last year as well, and they looked terrific right out of the gates! However, it all came apart halfway through the campaign, and I’ve discussed how I believe the loss of two important players in Weeks 8 and 9 is the direct cause of that. LB After Ernest Jones was traded to the Seahawks, S Quandre Diggs sustained an injury that ended his season. As DC Dennard Wilson’s “fixers,” those two were keeping the defense spine intact. The drop-off to their backups was too great for them to maintain success because they were the group’s linchpins.

Everything leads to Sneed when I go through the dismal process of attempting to predict depth and triage talent this year. On paper, the Titans’ three starting cornerbacks make up a very strong group. When healthy and playing their style of football, Sneed, Roger McCreary, and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. could be among the finest players in the league. However, there are doubts about each, and the extent of them is unknown and frightening. This year, will Sneed be healthy? Will he return to playing like one of the NFL’s top corners if he is? Because those are two very important questions at the moment, and that is what the Titans are paying him to be.

I believe that if he is unable to leave at any time, it will place everyone in a precarious situation to shine. Unbeknownst to them, a single move up the wring for everyone in a room can occasionally turn excellent third or fourth string players into terrible second string players. Even though I like Brownlee, I don’t think he’s a CB1 just yet. I am afraid of that possibility. Furthermore, we’ve seen in the past that forcing McCreary to play on the outside (or behind him in the order) doesn’t bring out the best in that player.

Additionally, if the Titans’ CB group struggles, it may soon put the whole of the defense in a bad mood. In 2024, this squad was unable to rush the passer successfully, and in 2025, they have little chance of improving in that area. A team like that can only succeed by having a strong back end. You’re doomed if your coverage is subpar. It seems like a roster that is designed to collapse after just one or two significant losses. To turn defense into a strength once more, Tennessee may need to have unexpectedly good health luck this season or for some depth guys to truly step up.