The Titans lost edge rusher Lorenzo Carter to retirement. But even before they lost him, they needed edge rushing help. Here are two options that could help them immediately.
Two Prime Options For The Titans At The Edge Position originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Tennessee Titans have begun training camp, adding to the growing list of teams that have started training camp. While training camp is when everyone reconvenes together, it can also reveal to some players that their time on the field is coming to an end. One player who saw his end coming was Titans edge rusher Lorenzo Carter. Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi broke the news to the media during a press conference on July 22nd.
“He notified us yesterday that he will be retiring ... we wish him well,” Borgonzi said.
Carter, who signed with the Titans this offseason, was more than likely only going to be a depth piece at the edge rusher position. However, it still highlights an issue the defense still faces at the edge rusher position. Currently, the Titans have Arden Key and Dre’Mont Jones coming off the edge to get to the quarterback.
Combined, Key and Jones have never had an individual season with ten sacks. And with Oluwafemi Oladejo still developing at the position, there is real concern when it comes to the Titans creating pressure off the edge. With that juice being missing from the edge rusher position, there are a couple of options the Titans could look at.
Matthew Judon and Za’Darius Smith Are Titans Fits
Matthew Judon is one option to point to. Last season, his first full season since 2022, he finished with 5.5 sacks for the Atlanta Falcons. Despite that dip in production, a return to a defense that can run a 3-4 but offers him up some four-man front opportunities to get after the quarterback could mean a return to form that had him posting double-digit sacks in the 2021 and 2022 seasons in New England with the Patriots. However, on the flip side, Judon will be turning 33 years old this season, and with his age, there is a chance he is who he is at this point.
Aside from Judon, another viable option is former Detroit Lion Za’Darius Smith. The talented veteran, who is the same age as Judon, had 9.0 last season between Detroit and Cleveland. He could add the pop that is needed for the Titans off the edge. He has had big seasons in sacks, playing in a 4-3 defense with the Green Bay Packers in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, and had a ten-sack season in 2022, playing in a 3-4 defense with the Minnesota Vikings. The versatility he offers and the ability to generate a pass rush regardless of the front style would be a welcome addition to the Titans. But like Judon, you never know when age is going to catch up to any player, and it could catch up to Smith next season.
Whether it is Smith or Judon, Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi did state the team could add another edge rusher at some point. The question is, at what point will that be? Stay tuned. This move could come at any time.
Related: Will Levis' Season-Ending Injury Provides Titans With Questions and Answers
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
