Tag: Geoff Swaim

Report: Titans agree to one-year deal with Geoff Swaim

The Titans are reportedly retaining Geoff Swaim on a one-year deal.

The Tennessee Titans have made their first move since the legal tampering period of free agency began at noon ET on Monday.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Titans and tight end Geoff Swaim have agreed to a one-year contract extension. The exact amount of the deal is not yet known.

Swaim was one of the Titans’ pending free agents. He has spent the last two years in Nashville, appearing in 26 games (24 starts) and totaling 40 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns.

The 28-year-old was one part of a three-man rotation the Titans deployed at tight end in 2021. The other two members, MyCole Pruitt and Anthony Firkser, are both unrestricted free agents.

Swaim is a great blocker, but leaves a lot to be desired in the passing game, making him better suited as a depth option rather than a primary one. We expect the Titans to bring in a more well-rounded option at some point, whether in free agency, the 2022 NFL draft, or both.

Follow along with all of the latest moves in our free agency tracker below.

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Biggest takeaways from Titans’ first regular season depth chart

The biggest surprise on the Titans’ latest depth chart comes at the WR position.

The Tennessee Titans will begin their 2021 campaign on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals at Nissan Stadium in Nashville — but days beforehand, Tennessee has released its first regular season depth chart.

This most recent version of the depth chart didn’t give us anymore clarity on one particular undecided position battle, but there were some other interesting things of note on it on both sides of the ball.

Let’s check it out (depth chart courtesy of Jim Wyatt of Titans Online):

Tennessee Titans waive offensive lineman Corey Levin

Levin’s reunion with the Titans was short-lived.

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The Tennessee Titans’ reunion with offensive lineman Corey Levin, their former sixth-round pick in 2017, was short-lived, as the team decided to waive him on Monday. It’s possible Levin will be brought back on the practice squad.

The move likely means that Tennessee will activate one of their two key players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, either right guard Nate Davis or center Ben Jones.

Head coach Mike Vrabel said he expects both to be activated this week in advance of the Week 1 contest against the Arizona Cardinals at Nissan Stadium on Sept. 12.

Tennessee’s roster currently sits at 52 players, so the team will have to make another move in order to clear space for both.

The Titans made three other moves on Monday, including two involving players who were on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Tight end Geoff Swaim was activated, while linebacker Justin March-Lillard was waived off the list. Cornerback Chris Jones was also waived to clear space for Swaim on the 53-man roster.

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Titans activate Geoff Swaim off COVID-19 list, waive two

The Titans have just three players remaining on the COVID-19 list.

The Tennessee Titans announced they have activated another player off the Reserve/COVID-19 list, as tight end Geoff Swaim will officially join the 53-man roster.

The Titans cleared space for Swaim by waiving cornerback Chris Jones, and linebacker Justin March-Lillard was waived off the COVID-19 list as well.

Tennessee now has three players left on the list, including right guard Nate Davis, center Ben Jones and offensive lineman Cole Banwart. Head coach Mike Vrabel says he expects Jones and Davis to be activated this week.

Swaim is expected to play a significant role at tight end this season, along with fellow tight end Anthony Firkser. Swaim should serve as the Titans’ blocking specialist, while Firkser will be the top pass-catching tight end.

However, that scenario will depend upon how improved Firkser is as a blocker. If he can prove to be reliable in that area, he could play more of an every-down role for Tennessee in 2021.

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Titans injury update: Julio, Reynolds, Swaim, Landry absent from Day 7

Jones, Reynolds and Swaim have now missed multiple practices in a row.

The Tennessee Titans continue to be without two of their key wide receivers in training camp, as Julio Jones and Josh Reynolds were both absent from training camp once again on Wednesday.

Adding to the list of missing, outside linebacker Harold Landry and tight end Geoff Swaim were not spotted, also.

Jones landed awkwardly while trying to secure a catch during Monday’s session, leading to his missing the last two. Beat writers noted that it didn’t seem serious, so the Titans are likely just being cautious.

This is the fifth straight practice Reynolds and Swaim have missed. Both were on the field for last Thursday’s session, but Reynolds left early. Landry left Tuesday’s practice early, so his absence certainly isn’t surprising.

Unfortunately, there are no details about what any of these players are dealing with, which is pretty normal for a Titans team that likes to keep things close to the vest when it comes to injuries.

On a brighter note, outside linebacker Derick Roberson is present after having to exit early on Saturday. We’re still awaiting word on center Ben Jones, who got shaken up during the team’s first padded practice yesterday. We’ll update this page when more information becomes available on him.

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Notable Titans injuries from first week of training camp

The Titans didn’t emerge from their first week of training camp unscathed.

The Tennessee Titans wrapped up their first week of training camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park on Saturday, a week that consisted of four practices overall.

The team will have an off day on Sunday, and then players will take the field once again on Monday.

According to Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky, the pads won’t come on until Tuesday, which is a big step in the evaluation process for the 53-man roster.

Tennessee didn’t come out of the week unscathed, though, as multiple players appeared to have suffered injuries over the first four days. Here’s a look at the most notable ones, and what we know so far, if anything at all.

Ex-Titans TE Delanie Walker: Anthony Firkser is ‘going to be elite’

Delanie Walker wants to see Anthony Firkser get paid.

Former Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker is very high one of the team’s starting options at the position, Anthony Firkser, ahead of the 2021 season.

Firkser is coming off a career-year in 2020, finishing with 39 receptions for 387 yards and one score. Looking ahead to this coming campaign, Firkser has a chance to play a bigger role than he ever has in the NFL after the departure of Jonnu Smith to the New England Patriots.

Walker believes Firkser can be elite and thinks the addition of wide receiver Julio Jones will help create more opportunities for the Harvard product, as he revealed to ESPN’s Turron Davenport on his podcast “Talking with TD” (H/T Grant Gordon of NFL.com for the transcribe).

“He sat under me for years and I tried to teach him everything I know, but the dude got wiggles. He can get open, he can catch the ball. I think he going to be elite,” Walker said. “Just adding Julio [Jones], it’s gonna open, have more opportunities for him. Over the middle. With matchups against linebackers. And that’s gonna be hard for them to cover him, cause he destroys linebackers within seconds. It’s gonna be good.”

Walker continued:

“I feel like it’s going to be a good year for him,” Walker said. “I’m excited. I hope he does well, cause I want him to get paid. That’s what it comes down to. Just hope he does well. I know he built his confidence over the years. Now he has that opportunity to be the starter. I told him the last time I saw him, I said it’s your opportunity, don’t lose it. Cause they don’t give it to many people often. He has the opportunity to be great. And I think with Julio and A.J. [Brown] and Derrick Henry, that opportunity is high.”

In the same interview, Walker also talked about his thoughts on getting cut by the Titans in 2020, and what his future holds for this coming season. You can check those quotes out right here.

We all know how good of a pass-catcher Firkser is, but the biggest question mark remains his blocking, which could prevent him from being an every-down player.

If Firkser doesn’t show improvement it could open the door for Geoff Swaim, who is a blocking specialist, to get more snaps, and could also force the Titans to add another player at the position ahead of the 2021 campaign.

We’ll get a better idea of just how improved Firkser is in that area when training camp rolls around later this month.

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Grades for Titans re-signing Jayon Brown, Anthony Firkser, Geoff Swaim

The Titans hit a home run with the re-signing of Jayon Brown in particular.

The Tennessee Titans have seen some key players depart in free agency this offseason, but the team has managed to bring back some of its own in the last few days.

Among those players are inside linebacker Jayon Brown, and tight ends Geoff Swaim and Anthony Firkser, all of whom have inked one-year deals.

Brown is re-signing on a one-year deal worth $5.25 million in what was a surprise to say the least. Swaim is back on a one-year, $2.5 million pact, while the details of Firkser’s contract are not yet know.

So, what grade do the Titans get for bringing these players back? Let’s take a look.

Anthony Firkser, Geoff Swaim react to re-signing with Titans

Firkser and Swaim are ready to contribute in any role needed.

For the first time since re-signing with the Tennessee Titans, tight ends Anthony Firkser and Geoff Swaim spoke with the media on Wednesday to share their thoughts on staying in Nashville.

Firkser expressed his excitement to return, while also praising his former position coach and new Titans offensive coordinator, Todd Downing, according to Jim Wyatt of Titans Online:

“I am really happy to be back with the same organization,” Firkser said. “And it was good to see Todd Downing get promoted to offensive coordinator, being a former tight ends coach. I know he did a great job in our room, so I am excited to see how he can help this offense and build on what (former OC) Arthur (Smith) has provided for the Titans.”

The 26-year-old Harvard product, who set career-highs in receptions and yards last season, says he’s ready to contribute in whatever role the team needs from him.

“I am going to do whatever I can to be as valuable as I can for the Titans,” he said. “Wherever they need me, I am going to be there, and apply the most value as I can to that position.”

Swaim, who was signed by the Titans prior to last season and saw his role increase as the campaign progressed, is also ready to contribute in any way he can, including as a blocker, an area he excelled at last season:

“You are not going to find a tight end that turns down the opportunity to catch a ball,” Swaim said. “So that to me is great, when you get the ball and run after the catch and stuff like that.

“I have been asked that question a few times: ‘What do I think about my role? And do I want my role expanded?’ Obviously you want your role to be expanded because you are competitive, but the truth is I really like what I do. I like blocking, and I have made my career on it. To me, blocking is a natural. It is kind of the natural part of football that I love. But I am always excited to do more, and I know Firk is the same way. You are always looking to grow, and expand your game. But I can’t forget the thing that has gotten me here, which is being a blocker. So, if I am asked to do more, and the opportunity comes, I’ll jump all over it.”

With Jonnu Smith having left in free agency to the New England Patriots, the Titans have one more of their 2020 tight ends to make a decision on in MyCole Pruitt.

As it stands now, the team has five tight ends on its roster after re-signing Firkser and Swaim, with Parker Hesse, Jared Pinkney and 2020 UDFA Tommy Hudson having been signed to futures contracts.

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Contract details for Titans re-signing TE Geoff Swaim

Swaim will be sticking around in Nashville for another year.

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The Tennessee Titans reportedly re-signed tight end Geoff Swaim to a one-year deal on Tuesday, and now we know how much he’ll be making.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Titans will pay the 27-year-old $2.5 million in 2021, with $2.25 million guaranteed, a raise from the $910,000 he made in Nashville in 2020.

While Swaim caught just nine passes for 83 yards in 10 games last season, he was a reliable set of hands when called upon and proved to be a stellar blocker in Tennessee’s run-heavy offense.

Swaim, who saw his playing time tick up as the season progressed, stands to see an increased role depending on what happens with the team’s other pending free agents at the position in MyCole Pruitt and Anthony Firkser.

Even if both return, Swaim should see at least a similar amount of snaps, and perhaps more now that fellow tight end Jonnu Smith has left to the New England Patriots in free agency.

Our expectation all along has been that the Titans will retain Swaim, Firkser and Pruitt in order to fill the void left by Smith, but we could also see the team addressing the position at some point in the 2021 NFL draft.

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