Before the Tennessee Titans, there was the Houston Oilers. Beginning with their first season in 1960, the Oilers were a charter member of the AFL and won the first 2 AFL Championships.
They relocated to Tennessee in 1997 and became known as the Tennessee Oilers. This name didn’t last long and 2 years later became the Titans we know and love today.
So far this season, the Titans are leading the AFC South and are drawing interest in the NFL Draft Betting Odds. In honor of this first-place team, here are some of the greatest players the Titans have ever seen.
Steve McNair
Steve McNair was their quarterback from 1995 to 2005 and during his career, he led the Titans to their first (and currently only) Super Bowl appearance.
In 2003 he split the NFL MVP award with fellow football legend, Peyton Manning. He received the nickname ‘Air McNair’ and was named Pro Bowler 3 times.
McNair played his final 2 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens from 2006 to his retirement in 2007.
His jersey number was retired by the Titans in 2019.
Eddie George
Eddie George was a running back for the Titans between 1996 and 2003. His final season in 2004 was played with the Dallas Cowboys.
He won the Heisman trophy in 1995 and then was Offensive Rookie of the Year. George was an extremely consistent player and was named All-Pro once and Pro Bowl 4 times in his career.
His jersey number was retired by the Titans in 2019. He became the head coach of Tennessee State in 2021.
Bruce Matthews
Bruce Matthews was an extremely versatile player having been a center, guard, long snapper, and offensive tackler throughout his career.
He spent his whole career with the Oilers/Titans from 1983 to 2001. He was named Pro Bowler 14 times and All-Pro 7 times.
He never missed a game due to injury and his jersey number would be retired in 2002.
Matthews was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 and then would be later named to the NFL’s 100th Anniversary Team.
Bruce Matthews is a part of the famous Matthews family which includes fellow footballers Clay Matthews Sr, Clay Matthews Jr, Kevin Matthews, Jake Matthews, Clay Matthews III, and Casey Matthews.
Keith Bulluck
Keith Bulluck was a linebacker for the Titans from 2000 to 2009. He is known for his fantastic ball hawking skills being named Pro Bowler and All-Pro three times each.
From 2002, Bulluck didn’t miss a single game. He would go on to play his final season in 2010 for the New York Giants.
Jevon Kearse
Jevon Kearse was drafted to the Titans in 1999 and after a brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles between 2004 and 2007, he returned to the Titans until his retirement in 2009.
As a defensive end, he was nicknamed ‘The Freak’ for his skills. During his rookie season in 1999, he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year and then would go on to be named Pro Bowler 3 times and All-Pro once.
Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry is the only player on this list that is a current member of the Titans. He was drafted in 2016 and has been making a name for himself since then.
Henry was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2020 and as of 2022 has been named Pro Bowler twice, First-Team All-Pro once, and Second-Team All-Pro twice.
He is also the second Titan to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season.
Kevin Mawae
Kevin Mawae was the center of the Titans. He played for the Seattle Seahawks between 1994 and 1997 and then for the New York Jets until his retirement in 2005.
Throughout his career, he was named Pro-Bowler 8 times and got All-Pro honors 8 times. In 2019 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson was a running back for the Titans from 2008 to 2013. He would later go on to play for the New York Jets in 2014 and then the Arizona Cardinals between 2015 and 2017.
Over his whole career, Johnson received 3 Pro Bowls and 1 All-Pro, he would also win Offensive Player of the Year in 2009.
Johnson ran for more than 1,000 yards in each of his seasons with the Titans.
Blaine Bishop
Blaine Bishop was a safety for the Titans from 1993 to 2001. His final season in 2002 was spent with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bishop was the leader of the defensive team and was known for his great tackles. He got 4 Pro Bowls and 1 Second-Team All-Pro.
Final Thoughts
The Titans have had strong players throughout their history, each of them bringing a unique level of skill to the field.
If this year’s team makes a run in the playoffs, perhaps new names will be added to this list.
