The NFL has a storied history filled with memorable games, outstanding plays, and players whose exploits stand the test of time. Every franchise has a history that has set the standard for today’s players.
The Tennessee Titans have a complex history, with their roots deeply entrenched in NFL lore. From their early days as the “Luv Ya Blue” Houston Oilers and then their transition to Tennessee, many stars roamed their sidelines and left their imprint on the franchise.
From Earl Campbell to Warren Moon, and from Steve McNair to Derrick Henry, these all-time greats paved the way for young players to look up to. It is truly a fantastic collection of talent. But if you, the reader, were to populate the Titans’ Mount Rushmore of historic players, who would you choose? Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report took on that challenge and came up with the Titans’ Mount Rushmore since 2000.
Tennessee Titans
DL Jurrell Casey
RB Derrick Henry
RB Chris Johnson
QB Steve McNair
Two selections for the Tennessee Titans were relatively easy. Derrick Henry is one of the most unique running backs in NFL history, while the late, great Steve McNair helped usher Tennessee into the current century.
McNair’s career began in 1995, when the franchise was still the Houston Oilers. He also led the Titans to the Super Bowl in 1999, the season before our cutoff. However, he had six terrific seasons in Tennessee after 2000 that included three Pro Bowls and one league MVP (which he split with Peyton Manning).
Henry, who joined the Ravens in 2024, still possesses the scariest combination of size and breakaway speed we’ve seen in a modern running back. In eight years with the Titans, he racked up 10,960 yards from scrimmage, 93 total touchdowns, four Pro Bowls and one Offensive Player of the Year award.
Filling out the rest of the foursome was a bit trickier since the post-2000 Titans have had some standouts but few truly great players. Linebacker Keith Bulluck and tackle Michael Roos earned consideration, but we settled on Jurrell Casey and Chris Johnson.
Casey was a star defensive tackle for nine seasons in Tennessee and racked up five consecutive Pro Bowls between 2015 and 2019. Johnson only spent six seasons with the Titans, but he was a 1,000-yard rusher in all six campaigns and earned three Pro Bowl nods. He also earned the nickname CJ2k in 2009, when he rushed for a league-high 2,006 yards, logged 503 receiving yards and was named Offensive Player of the Year.
The Titans have a long history of outstanding running backs and both Henry and Johnson were feared during their time in Nashville and both had record-setting seasons that created an air of excitement around the team. It is unfortunate that Henry moved onto to the Baltimore Ravens, but no matter what, he will be remembered for his dominate production for the Titans.
McNair was also a no-brainer, his combination of leadership and talent may never be duplicated in Nashville. In many ways, the Titans have never truly replaced McNair and have been searching for their franchise leader since his departure. They drafted Cam Ward, who has drawn comparisons to McNair throughout the offseason, and the team has high hopes that he can be the answer they have been searching for.
Casey was an interesting selection, and it is hard to argue with the logic. In his prime, he was the anchor for the Titans defense and a stalwart in the community. Not only did he make it to five Pro Bowls, but he was a six-time team captain and two-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. More importantly, he bled Titan Blue, and will forever be remembered that way.
Who would you select for the Titans’ Mount Rushmore if you had the chance to do it? Let us here at Titans Wire know your choices.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Analyst breaks down the Tennessee Titans’ Mount Rushmore since 2000
