For football fans, this is a great time of the year. The excitement of a new NFL season continues to build, along with a renewed sense of optimism in NFL cities. It’s hard to believe, but the start of the Tennessee Titans’ training camp is almost here. It’s so close, you can almost feel it.

Leading into training camp, we here at Titans Wire are breaking down the Titans roster and previewing what you can expect during camp. Tennessee has reworked its roster during the offseason, aiming to rebound from its disheartening 2024 campaign, which saw the team hit rock bottom.

Today, we continue our training camp preview series by turning our attention back to the offense and breaking down the Titans’ tight ends. Tennessee left veteran Nick Vannett walk as an unrestricted free agent, but has a solid group in place to battle for playing time.

Here’s a quick rundown of who and what to expect once camp opens on July 22. 

Coaching staff

Nick Holz (offensive coordinator), Luke Stocker (tight ends coach)

Holz and Stocker were both on the staff in 2024 and will return in 2025, with Stocker being promoted to primary tight ends coach after serving as the assistant position coach last season. Holz and Stocker have some talent to work with on the roster and must find a way to get the position more involved in the offense in 2025. There were flashes in 2024, but the team needs more consistent production moving forward. 

Starter

Chig Okonkwo

Okonkwo has been solid throughout his career in Nashville, but has yet to fully break out. The athletic tight end has all the tools needed to be a top-flight tight end and began to show signs of heading in that direction during the tail end of the 2024 season, when he became a go-to weapon for the Titans’ offense in the final weeks of the season. 

He finished 2024 with 52 receptions for 479 yards and two touchdowns, but flashed big-play potential down the stretch. Now, with a better offensive line and likely a rookie quarterback, Okonkwo will be looking to become a more consistent safety blanket and increase production throughout the season. 

Reserves

Gunnar Helm, Josh Whyle, David Martin-Robinson, Drake Dabney, Thomas Odukoya

The battle for roster slots at tight end should be a fun one to watch this season, with five players fighting it out for likely three roster spots. Whyle, Martin-Robinson, and Odukoya have experience with the Titans, but none are locked into their positions.

Whyle has underwhelmed since being drafted by the Titans in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft and will be challenged during training camp. Tennessee added Helm in the fourth round of the draft, and the rookie looked the part during offseason activities and minicamp. A productive tight end in college, he could outperform his draft slot in the NFL and will challenge for playing time early in his career.

Martin-Robinson, Odukoya, and Dabney have some upside, but will need to show some special teams prowess to stick. 

Overall outlook

Tennessee should be set at tight end heading into the season and has a variety of skill sets to choose from. While it is unlikely they will keep five on the initial 53-man roster as they did entering the 2024 season, the competition for the roster should be a good one and one to monitor throughout camp.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans training camp preview: Tight ends