The Indianapolis Colts might not have won the AFC South since 2014, but the team knew for the most part that it was at least hardly ever the worst team in the division. This has been especially true in the last few years as Indy understood they would at least finish ahead of the Tennessee Titans.
That might be about to change. While the Colts were able to re-sign quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce, those players were already on the team. General manager Chris Ballard hasn't made the team better this offseason, but is simply hoping for an entire season like the first half of the last one.
It's a risk. Meanwhile, the Titans are aggressively pursuing new additions they think will make them better and help new head coach Robert Saleh be successful faster. Tennessee has added several members of the defense Saleh had with the New York Jets from 2021 through most of 2023, when he was the head coach there.
Tennessee Titans appear to be gaining on the Indianapolis Colts this offseason
While New York overall wasn't good, its defense was. That was due to Saleh's coaching ability. Getting a bunch of players who already know what he needs and how his system works makes sense. Indianapolis tried to do the same thing in 2025 when it acquired several former Bengals who worked with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo in Cincinnati.
Besides the defensive additions, the Titans are in a great position to get 2025 rookie quarterback Cam Ward some help. This includes potentially choosing Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the fourth overall choice in the 2026 draft.
Saleh addressed the possibility recently when he said, "I think when you look at all the different gamechangers that are at the top of the draft, whether it’s the three big pass rushers that everyone talks about, or Jeremiyah, they can all change a game in one play. They’re impactful players."
While Tennessee could also take a presumed high-end defensive producer instead of Love to give the new head coach even more assistance in building an elite group. Love might make more sense, though. Saleh should improve the defense through his scheme, but giving Cam Ward a running back good enough to lessen the pressure on the quarterback should be extremely important.
What is clear is that the Tennessee Titans are making loads of moves to get better fast. The Indianapolis Colts haven't lost to Nashville's team since October 2022. Counting on two wins a season over the same might not be likely anymore.
Chris Ballard is seemingly satisfied with not making a splash in free agency by signing other teams' players, and while the Colts don't have a first-round pick this year or next, the Titans might be gaining on Indy. Unless Jones and Pierce are magical next season, things could go very poorly in what might be Ballard's final year with the team.