NASHVILLE – Cedric Gray made a big jump from Year 1 to Year 2.
Now, the Titans linebacker wants to take things to another level.
"The biggest thing for me this offseason is I want to put a complete game together," Gray said. "I feel like I improved from my rookie year to last year and became a pretty good player. Now I want to become a complete player. I want to be an elite player in this league. So, I'm just attacking everything.
"I've been trying to grow overall and really become a complete linebacker in this league."
A fourth-round pick of the Titans in the 2024 NFL Draft, Gray made great strides in 2025 while starting 16 games.
Gray led the Titans and ranked fifth in the NFL with 160 tackles, tying for the second-most tackles by a Titans defender since 2000 (GSIS tackle stats). Gray added 15 quarterback pressures, seven tackles for a loss and four passes defensed while also recovering a fumble.
It was quite a leap for Gray, who played in just seven games as a rookie, primarily on special teams.
A lot has changed since last year for Gray, and others on defense.
For starters, the scheme is different, as the defense is going from 3-4 to a 4-3.
Gray also has a new head coach, a new defensive coordinator and a new linebackers coach.
In offseason work, Gray is focusing on reacting even faster on the field by working on his footwork, and by understanding concepts even better.
He fits what the team is looking for because he loves football.
He's also enjoying working for a defensive-minded head coach in Robert Saleh.
"I've been trying to soak up and learn as much as possible," Gray said, "so I can be the best in my role on this system."
