It's time for the Titans to make room for Xavier Restrepo and move on from a veteran whiff to help Cam Ward move forward

It's always a dead giveaway when a team happily moves on from a franchise icon. That's what the Seattle Seahawks did with Tyler Lockett after a full decade of service to their franchise. He felt like a Seahawks lifer through-and-through as he tallied over 8500 yards and 60 touchdowns for his team. But all good things must come to an end, and in the spring of 2025, he was wished well by his team and fanbase alike as he entered free agency.

That didn't stop the Titans from taking a cheap swing on him to raise the floor of their receiving room, but maybe it should have. Because through a month and a half of football, Lockett has only caused me frustration. And i'm a pretty level-headed, optimistic, and patient guy. So if I'm fully over it with a player this early into the year, there's a very good chance that the Titans fanbase is in the same spot. That's only elevated when a fan-favorite like Xavier Restrepo is waiting in the wings.

Xavier Restrepo Should Take Slot Snaps Away From Tyler Lockett

Let me be clear: I'm not here to tell you that Xavier Restrepo is this team's savior. In fact, I'm not even convinced he could be any good at the professional level. I came into this season with mild optimism about what he could do after a highly productive college career that led to him joining his college QB in Tennessee at the next level, but his limitations have kept him at arm's length from the active roster. He's currently on the practice squad, but at this point, I endorse calling him up.

I'm not a coach. I don't see what he's like behind the scenes. All I can go off of is the connection with Cam Ward I watched on their college tape. And the justification for pushing him up onto the active roster and into the rotation is largely based on my frustration with Tyler Lockett targets. It's time for this to stop. I really like Lockett as a guy. He's a great interview. And he's had a great NFL career. But this show is over. The Titans are no better with him than they are without him. He's caught just 7 of his 16 targets in Tennessee for a whopping 52 yards.

He refuses to make a play on the ball. He cannot separate at this stage in his career. He is not a yards after catch threat. he's a poor screen option. He's not a winner at the catch point, and he's not a vertical threat. What does this player do for the Titans?

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills on this situation. Restrepo might be a disaster if called up. But it's officially time to find out. At the very least, he could have a future in this league. Lockett's story is written.