The Tennessee Titans spent money in epic fashion during the initial free agency flurry. They traded, they signed, they let go, and they made many roster changes. They had the most cap space entering free agency, so it’s not a surprise that they were as active as they were.
The Titans had several gaps to fill with their free agency signings, and one of those gaps was in the secondary. After letting their top cornerbacks depart for other places in 2025, the Titans desperately needed not only bodies in the room but players who already had experience. One of the players they selected for that role is cornerback Alontae Taylor, who spent his first four seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
In a recent article on Bleacher Report, the Titans’ signing of Taylor was named among the 10 worst free agency signings in 2026.
Remember how we said the Tennessee Titans threw money around with abandon this offseason?
After 53 starts over four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, Alontae Taylor got a huge payday from the Titans: over $19 million a season and $42 million in guarantees.
While talking to reporters, Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that he expects Taylor to make a sizable impact for his new team.
“His versatility is obviously beneficial—his ability to play inside and outside. He’s a really talented corner,” he said. “His best football’s probably ahead of him. I think he’s gonna play some really good football for them and have a huge impact.”
Cornerback is a premium position, and Trent McDuffie’s new deal with the Los Angeles Rams averages a whopping $31 million per year. He’s an elite player in coverage, a true shutdown corner. Taylor is not.
Taylor’s passer rating against of 98.2 last year was higher than Bobby Wagner—who is a 35-year-old linebacker. Taylor surrendered six touchdowns in coverage last year as well—tied for fifth-most in the league. He was targeted 94 times—eighth-most in the league.
Cornerbacks don’t sit atop the league in targets because they are formidable in coverage. They do because they are liabilities.
Almost $20 million a season is a lot to pay for a liability.
First, they spent money without abandon. Second, the author compares Taylor’s salary to that of Trent McDuffie, although it is unknown where he got the numbers from. Looking at Over the Cap, McDuffie is on a five-year contract with a base salary totaling $97.5 million. Taylor is on a three-year contract with a base salary totaling $44.4 million. So, yeah, McDuffie is being paid better than Taylor, as would be expected. Obviously, that is just base salary and doesn’t include any incentives or signing bonus money.
So, the Titans wanted to get veteran help in the secondary, and they got it. They believe he’s worth what they are paying, and only his play this season will dictate if they are correct or not. Every time a player is signed, it’s a risk, and this is one that may not play out well for the Titans. Or, it could be he’s exactly the guy they need. It’s not just about production; it’s about fit, and if Taylor fits with the Titans, we may see a whole new version of him in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans’ Alontae Taylor among 10 worst free agency signings in 2026