NASHVILLE – When Austin Schlottmann signed with the Titans back in March, he assumed nothing as it relates to a starting spot, or even a roster spot.
At the conclusion of his first offseason with the squad, his stance is the same.
When training camp kicks off at the end of this month, he'll compete with those around him at the center position. At some point, the Titans will name the starter heading into the season, and Schlottmann plans to put himself in the best position to win the job.
"My whole career has been that, basically," said Schlottmann, who has played in 85 games, with 18 starts, in seven NFL seasons. "(I) went to Denver in 2018 as an undrafted free agent with a super longshot of making it, stuck around on the practice squad, and then the next year you compete for a spot on the roster. And every year after that they are bringing guys in to replace you, and you have to compete and try and make the team.
"So, I think throughout my career I have learned how to do that. So, I think the best way to do it is just focus on yourself. Just try and get better every day and work. Be the best version of you every day."
The 6-foot-6, 300-pound Schlottmann spent his first four seasons with the Broncos, then spent two years with the Vikings, before joining the Giants in 2024.
Schlottmann appeared in 17 games, with four starts, for the Giants in 2025, seeing action on 362 offensive snaps and 69 on special teams.
Schlottmann followed new Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll from the New York Giants, where they two spent two seasons together. He was also previously coached by Carmen Bricillo, the new o-line coach in Tennessee.
"I played my best football with Dabes and Carm, and I'd like to keep improving," he said. "Just trying to keep getting better. If you are not improving, you are getting passed up."
Schlottmann is competing with several others for the starting spot, on an offensive line that's still unsettled.
His familiarity with the offense, and experience, makes him a serious contender, if not the favorite.
Schlottmann is already comfortable with his quarterback Cam Ward.
"Working with Cam has been great," Schlottmann said. He's dialed in, he's learning the system well. He's super-fiery, which is fun, and that's contagious. You're on the field and he's fired up to be there, and he's fired up to go compete and try to beat the defense and fired up to score touchdowns and I think that is super contagious to guys in the huddle. It's fun to be around."
The Titans will have some things to sort out when training camp begins, at center and the right guard spot. At this point, only the left guard spot (Peter Skoronski) and the tackle positions (LT Dan Moore, RT JC Latham) are presumably set.
Schlottmann said he o-line group as a whole has made strides during the course of the offseason. But like himself, he knows there's plenty of room to improve as the season draws closer.
"The room has been awesome," Schlottmann said. "We've had a good time, and we've kind of jelled together quickly. We are pretty tight, we hang out inside the building, outside the building. And I think the group is eager to improve and eager to be a great unit. I think everyone collectively has that same feeling."
