Titans News
Helm Emerged as Promising Option in 2025, But Titans’ TE Outlook Remains Unsettled
Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm finished his first NFL season with 44 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns across 16 games, establishing himself as a dependable option for quarterback Cam Ward. But the story of the Titans’ tight end room in 2026 hinges less on what Helm did than on what happens with Chig Okonkwo.
Okonkwo, whose rookie contract expired after the 2025 season, enters free agency after the best year of his career — leading the Titans in both receptions (56) and receiving yards (560). He also held the higher snap share among Tennessee tight ends last season, playing 63 percent of offensive snaps compared to Helm’s 51 percent. Multiple Titans beat reporters described Okonkwo as Cam Ward’s most consistent target throughout the year.
The source of Helm’s potential path to a larger role is not his having displaced Okonkwo in 2025 — he did not. It is Okonkwo’s contract situation. The Titans selected Helm specifically to prepare for Okonkwo’s expected departure at the end of his rookie deal.
Whether that departure actually happens is an open question as of this week. Pro Football Rumors reported in late February that the Titans are “pushing hardest” to re-sign Okonkwo among all of their pending free agents. Team insider Paul Kuharsky cited the tight end as a top retention priority for general manager Mike Borgonzi. Extension discussions between the two sides were confirmed by multiple reporters in late February. Okonkwo himself said in January he wants to remain in Tennessee.
If Okonkwo leaves, Helm would step into a larger role in Brian Daboll’s offense. The 23-year-old showed legitimate promise in his first season, flashing as a reliable target in the middle of the field and finishing with an 80 percent catch rate on 55 targets. The Titans have over $94 million in projected cap space and the flexibility to address the position either through free agency or the draft if they choose not to retain Okonkwo.
If Okonkwo stays, Helm’s role in 2026 remains uncertain. Tennessee has the resources to keep both players on the roster, and the league’s broader trend toward multi-tight end packages could allow both to contribute. But Helm’s path to a featured role runs directly through a free agency decision that has not yet been made.