Ranking the greatest Tennessee Titans of all time

We’re honoring the most legendary members of the Tennessee Titans in celebration of our TwinSpires Sports launch in Tennessee.

One note before we begin This list only includes players after the franchise's move from Houston in 1997 (our apologies to Mr. Campbell and Mr. Moon, among others). Let’s dive in!

5. Jevon Kearse

Position: Defensive end
Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, Defensive Rookie of the Year
Years Active: 1999-2009

Nicknamed "The Freak," Kearse spent seven seasons with the Titans and made Pro Bowls in 1999, 2000, and 2001. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year following the 1999 campaign, where he led the league with eight forced fumbles and recorded 14.5 sacks.

4. Bruce Matthews

Position: Offensive lineman
Accolades: Hall of Fame 14x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro
Years Active: 1983-2001

This one is tricky, as most of his career came before the move to Tennessee. However, he remained an elite player late in his career and made the Pro Bowl every season from 1988 through 2001, when he retired a Titan at age 40. By any measure, he’s one of the best offensive linemen of all-time.

3. Steve McNair

Position: Quarterback
Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl, 1x MVP
Years Active: 1995-2007

"Air McNair" led the squad from 1995 to 2005 and went 76-55 under center. He made three Pro Bowls and led the Titans to their only Super Bowl appearance, which came in 2000, and saw them drop a heartbreaker to the St. Louis Rams.

2. Eddie George

Position: Running back
Accolades: 4x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, Offensive Rookie of the Year
Years Active: 1996-2004

It’s a bit shocking Eddie George hasn’t yet received the call from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After winning the Heisman Trophy at Ohio State, the running back became one of the biggest weapons in the pro game. He rushed for 10,441 yards in nine seasons, made four straight Pro Bowls from 1997 through 2000, and was the best running back in Titans history…

1. Derrick Henry

Position: Running back
Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, Offensive Player of the Year
Years Active: 2016-present

…right up until this guy started going nuts.

Henry has led the NFL in rushing in each of the last two years and eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark in 2020. Over the past two seasons, he’s rushed for more than 3,500 yards and 33 touchdowns in just 31 games. That would be remarkable in any era, but to do that in a day and age where the passing game is king is truly phenomenal.