The tight end room in Nashville is kind of a mess, but in that way where you can actually see the potential if you squint hard enough through the 2025 season wreckage. It’s early 2026. The Titans just wrapped up a 3-14 campaign that felt even longer than the record suggests. If you're looking at the Titans TE depth chart, the names at the top haven't changed much, but the vibes? Yeah, those are completely different.
Honestly, everyone expected Chig Okonkwo to be the next Delanie Walker by now. It hasn't quite happened. Instead, we’re sitting here looking at a unit that’s basically a bridge to whatever Brian Callahan (or whoever ends up steering the ship next) wants this offense to actually look like with Cam Ward under center.
The Current Titans TE Depth Chart Breakdown
Right now, the pecking order is pretty clear-cut on paper, even if the production on the field was a bit of a roller coaster last year.
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- Chigoziem Okonkwo (Starter): He’s the guy. He played all 17 games in 2025, hauling in 56 catches for 560 yards. Those are career highs, sure, but two touchdowns? In this economy? It’s not exactly elite. He’s heading into a contract year in 2026, which makes his status a massive talking point for the front office.
- Gunnar Helm (TE2): The rookie out of Texas was a bright spot. While most of the passing game was struggling to find a rhythm, Helm showed he belongs. He averaged over 9 PPR points in games where he actually got targets. He’s currently dealing with a toe issue as we head toward the 2026 offseason, but he's the projected future at the position if Chig walks.
- David Martin-Robinson (Depth): Basically the "glue" guy. He’s there for special teams and the occasional heavy set. He isn't going to win you a fantasy matchup, but he's reliable.
- Joel Wilson (Future/Practice Squad): A developmental piece currently sitting on a futures contract.
The Chig Okonkwo Dilemma
You’ve probably heard the "breakout" talk for three years straight. Chig is an athletic freak—his 4.52 speed is still top-tier for the position—but the Titans haven't figured out how to make him a consistent red-zone threat. He’s incredibly consistent in one weird way: he’s had almost exactly the same number of catches (54, 52, and 56) over the last three seasons.
He’s a "December" player. For some reason, when the weather turns cold and the Titans are usually out of the hunt, Chig starts putting up numbers. In 2025, he had back-to-back weeks with touchdowns against Kansas City and New Orleans late in the year. If he could play like that in September, we wouldn't be having conversations about whether he’s worth a second contract.
Why Josh Whyle Isn't Here Anymore
It's a question that still bugs some fans. Why did the Titans waive Josh Whyle before the 2025 season? He was a third-round pick! Well, he didn't stick. He ended up in Green Bay, eventually becoming their TE2 after injuries decimated the Packers' roster.
The Titans decided they'd rather roll with the rookie Gunnar Helm and the veteran reliability of the guys they had. It was a gamble on "new blood" over "draft pedigree," and considering Helm’s promising rookie numbers, it might actually be the one move the front office got right.
What Cam Ward Needs from His Tight Ends
The arrival of Cam Ward changed the geometry of this offense. Ward likes to extend plays, and that’s where a guy like Okonkwo should thrive. But a lot of the 2025 season saw the tight ends stuck in pass protection because the offensive line—despite Peter Skoronski’s best efforts—was often a sieve.
If the Titans TE depth chart is going to matter in 2026, the team has to stop using their best receivers as extra tackles.
The 2026 Offseason Outlook
This is where things get spicy. Chig is an unrestricted free agent after the 2026 season. Titans GM Mike Borgonzi has a massive decision to make. Do you pay Chig, who is "good but not great," or do you let him walk and hand the keys to Gunnar Helm?
Free Agency Targets:
The 2026 free agent pool for tight ends is actually kind of loaded. Names like David Njoku, Kyle Pitts, and Dallas Goedert are floating around in the rumor mill. If the Titans want to give Cam Ward a true "safety valve" or a seam-buster, they have the cap space (estimated over $100 million) to just go buy one.
Draft Strategy:
Don't be surprised if the Titans use a mid-round pick on another tight end. They clearly value the "big slot" archetype more than the traditional inline blocker.
Actionable Insights for Titans Fans
If you're following the roster movements this spring, watch these three things:
- Chig's Extension Talks: If there’s no news by March, they might be planning to let him play out his deal and walk. This would be a huge "bet on yourself" year for him.
- Gunnar Helm's Recovery: That toe injury needs to be 100% by OTAs. If he's limited, the Titans will almost certainly sign a veteran "camp leg" tight end.
- The New Head Coach's System: With the HC spot vacant as of mid-January, the entire TE philosophy could flip. A coach coming from a Shanahan-style system will want better blockers; a Mike McDaniel disciple will want more "Chigs."
The tight end position in Tennessee isn't "broken," but it’s definitely in a state of transition. Whether it becomes a strength or remains a "just okay" part of the rebuild depends entirely on how they handle the Okonkwo/Helm dynamic over the next six months. Keep an eye on the waiver wire in late August—that's usually where this team finds its TE3 depth.