NASHVILLE – Tyler Lockett put on a Titans t-shirt after joining the offseason program this week, but it was hardly the first time he'd repped the team.
As a teenager, Lockett was a big fan of the Titans, even traveling to Nashville from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to root on the team in a playoff game at Nissan Stadium during the 2008 season.
On Monday, the veteran receiver officially signed with the Titans after playing his first 10 NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
"I became a Titans fan when the team drafted Vince Young," a smiling Lockett said on Tuesday. "I enjoyed watching Vince Young, Chris Johnson, Kenny Britt. I loved watching Cortland Finnegan play — and fight every single game. You had Keith Bulluck at linebacker, Albert Haynesworth at nose tackle, Michael Griffin. It was really fun.
"That (playoff game) was my first time being in Nashville as a kid. My best friend was a Ravens fan, and we sat in front of Joe Flacco's parents that day."
All these years later, Flacco is still playing in the NFL.
And, Lockett is now ready to begin the latest chapter of his career in Tennessee, this time as a player. His father, Kevin, a seven-year NFL veteran himself, told him to embrace change.
"I'm excited about it," Lockett said. "I've been at the same place for 10 years, and now this is a new atmosphere, a new building, you are learning everybody's names, and you are trying to ways where you fit in. But it's really cool to see how the front office is coming together and communicating. And, this is my first time being with a team where the head coach (Brian Callahan) is an offensive style head coach. I've always been around defensive head coaches with Pete Carroll and Mike Macdonald, so it's going to be something new.
"But it's exciting, being a Titan now. My dad has told me it's refreshing to go to a new place because it challenges you, and you learn a new way. I'm looking forward to what's next."
Lockett made his mark in Seattle, on and off the field.
He ranks second in team history behind Hall of Famer Steve Largent in receptions (661), receiving yards (8,594), and receiving touchdowns (61), and he also ranks second in punt return yards (1,078) as well as average yards per kickoff return (25.1) and kickoff returns for touchdowns (2).
In Seattle, Lockett was also three-time winner of the Steve Largent Award, voted by players and given to the player or coach who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication and integrity of the Seahawks.
Already in Tennessee he's made his presence known.
Lockett welcomed his new teammates to the team on social media during the NFL Draft, including quarterback Cam Ward, a player Lockett is looking forward to playing with.
"I am very excited about Cam being able to come on board," Lockett said. "When I was in Seattle, I got a chance to watch him a lot when he was at Washington State. Me and Quandre Diggs are best friends, and have been best friends for a while, and he always used to talk to me about his cousin, even when he was leaving Incarnate Word, and going to Washington State, before Miami. Obviously being in Seattle, I got a chance to see his highlights all the time and saw him do amazing things there and then at Miami. So, just being able to team up with him and do my part, I am definitely excited for that."
Lockett, released by Seattle back in March following a season when he caught 49 passes for 600 yards and two touchdowns, said he's not necessarily looking forward to proving those who doubt him wrong as he heads into his 11th NFL season.
He's proud of his career to date, which includes four 1,000-yard plus seasons, and five seasons when he's caught at least 70 passes. In 2023, he became the 94th player in NFL history to record 600 career receptions.
Lockett just wants to find a role in Tennessee, as a leader, and a contributor.
"I just want to be able to do my part," Lockett said of his potential leadership role. "I don't want to do too little or too much. Obviously if you overtalk, it kind of goes in one ear and out the other, and sometimes if you don't say enough, you let some stuff slide. I think it's just being able to find that middle ground. Obviously I am still new here, so just like anybody else that comes in new you still have to be able to put in the work to let people know that you belong, and over time you just continue to try and be that leader, whether it's lead by example, whether it's being able to speak up, whether it's meeting people where they are, whether it's being able to bridge the gap. There are a variety of ways to lead, just different styles, even if it's following at times. There are different styles that require different things when you talk to different players."
Lockett, who turns 33 next month, knows he's capable of helping on the field as well.
He's ready to do it, on his childhood team.
"But my biggest focus, if I can be honest, is to just focus on being my best self and just be able to give God all the glory," Lockett said. "No matter how great I play, no matter what type of plays that I make, people are still going to have their opinions of whether I still have it, or don't. I understand the politics of the game, I understand sometimes there are so many things you need as a receiver to work out just for you to be able to get the ball. But there is so much more that people don't see that teams require and that teams need, which is the leadership role, or that selfless character, or different stuff like that. Sometimes it's not about stats, but it's about how you build each other up. So, for me, I sacrificed a lot of stuff last year (in Seattle) for the better of the team, and I just believe that is what you want to do in order to be able to try and help the team be at its best.
"So, coming here, I know that I can still play. I don't think I need to prove that to anybody. I just need to continue to build in a healthy way and not try to waste my time trying to do all this proving people wrong, because sometimes it works out for you, and sometimes it just adds extra stress."
