NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans aren’t just looking for a spark; they are hunting for an explosion. With the legal tampering window fast approaching on March 9, the loudest whisper in the NFL combine hallways connects new Titans head coach Robert Saleh with one of his favorite former weapons: John Franklin-Myers.
NBC Sports insider Matthew Berry dropped the bombshell Monday, reporting that the Broncos’ defensive standout “would be heading to Tennessee.” This isn’t just a random connection. It’s a reunion that makes too much sense to ignore.
The Saleh Connection
Robert Saleh didn’t just coach Franklin-Myers in New York; he unlocked him. Under Saleh’s “all gas, no brakes” system with the Jets, Franklin-Myers morphed from a waiver-wire pickup into a wrecking ball. Now, with Saleh taking the reins in Nashville just weeks ago, the blueprint for the Titans’ defense demands a versatile lineman who can crush the pocket from the inside out.
Franklin-Myers fits that profile perfectly. Fresh off a 2025 campaign where he logged 7.5 sacks and 23 pressures for Denver, the 29-year-old is playing the best football of his life. He didn’t just eat space in Denver; he collapsed pockets, proving he can thrive in any system. But a return to Saleh’s wide-9 front? That could be lethal.
The Price of Disruption
Quality pass rushers don’t come cheap, and Franklin-Myers is about to cash in. After playing on a bargain two-year, $15 million deal in Denver, his price tag has skyrocketed.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler explicitly named Franklin-Myers the “Top Option” among interior defensive linemen, linking him to the $20 million per year threshold.
“(Franklin-Myers) is a productive player hitting the market at the right time, without a ton of competition at the position. Whatever the number ends up being, it will be strong.”
— Jeremy Fowler, ESPN
For a Titans team looking to re-establish a violent identity in the AFC South, $20 million is a steep but necessary price. With the Broncos already committing massive money to Patrick Surtain II and Nik Bonitto, Denver likely can’t match the check Tennessee is ready to write.
Expert Consensus: He’s Gone
The writing is on the wall in Denver. NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal ranked Franklin-Myers No. 25 in his Top 101 Free Agents, noting the irony of his journey.
“It’s crazy to think the Rams cut Franklin-Myers after his rookie year,” Rosenthal wrote. “Since then, he’s earned more than $40 million on two veteran contracts and is headed for a third.”
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Matt Bowen broke down exactly why JFM is such a coveted asset, ranking him the 11th best free agent overall. Bowen highlighted that while Franklin-Myers might not be a speed demon off the edge, his power is undeniable. “He’s an active inside rusher who can play as a defensive tackle or 5-technique… He had 7.5 sacks and 23 pressures this season.”
Playoff Implications
If Tennessee lands Franklin-Myers, the balance of power in the AFC South shifts immediately. The Titans struggled to generate consistent interior pressure last season. Dropping a 288-pound force like Franklin-Myers next to Jeffery Simmons creates a “pick your poison” nightmare for opposing guards. You can double-team one, but you can’t double-team both.
For Denver, losing JFM would leave a gaping hole on the defensive line, forcing them to look toward the draft to find a cheaper replacement. But for Tennessee? This move signals they are done rebuilding. They are ready to bully people again.