Editing Tennessee Titans (section)

===Tennessee Titans===
During the 1998 offseason, Adams appointed an advisory committee to decide on a new name for the Tennessee Oilers to coincide with the opening of their new stadium, which was renamed [[Nissan Stadium]] in 2015.<ref name="i839">{{cite web | last=Wyatt | first=Jim | title=Titans' stadium LP Field to be renamed Nissan Stadium | website=The Tennessean | date=2015-06-24 | url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2015/06/24/tennessee-titans-nissan-lp-field/29229831/ | access-date=2024-08-05}}</ref> On November 14, 1998, the new name of Tennessee Titans was unveiled. The name is a nod to how Nashville is nicknamed the "Athens of the South" for its classical architecture and large number of higher learning institutions.

The 1999 season marked a remarkable beginning for the Titans, as they made a dramatic run to Super Bowl XXXIV. Led by head coach Jeff Fisher and quarterback Steve McNair, the team finished the regular season with a 13–3 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1999 Tennessee Titans Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1999.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Their playoff journey included the famous "Music City Miracle" victory over the Buffalo Bills, where a last-second lateral play resulted in a kickoff return touchdown.<ref name="s788">{{cite web | last1=Bacharach | first1=Erik | last2=Maiorana | first2=Sal | title=Music City Miracle oral history: Tennessee Titans most memorable NFL play | website=The Tennessean | date=2020-01-08 | url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2020/01/08/music-city-miracle-oral-history-titans-bills-anniversary/2798498001/ | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> The Titans reached the Super Bowl but narrowly lost to the St. Louis Rams, falling one yard short of a potential game-tying touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freeman |first=Mike |date=2000-01-31 |title=SUPERBOWL XXXIV; Rams Win Super Bowl Thriller, as Titans Fall a Yard Short |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/31/sports/superbowl-xxxiv-rams-win-super-bowl-thriller-as-titans-fall-a-yard-short.html |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

In the years following their Super Bowl appearance, the Tennessee Titans experienced mixed success. They reached the playoffs several times in the early 2000s, with standout performances from players like running back Eddie George and defensive end Jevon Kearse. However, the team struggled with consistency and faced multiple rebuilding phases. Following the departures of George and McNair in 2003 and 2005, respectively, the Titans drafted quarterback [[Vince Young]] in 2006, who led the team to a playoff berth in 2007.<ref name="y605">{{cite web | title=Vince Young selected third overall by Titans in 2006 NFL Draft | website=University of Texas Athletics | date=2006-04-29 | url=https://texaslonghorns.com/news/2006/4/29/042906aaf_572.aspx | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> Despite being named [[Offensive Rookie of the Year]] in 2006 and being a two-time Pro Bowl selection, Young's tenure was marred by injuries, inconsistency and clashes with Jeff Fisher. In 2008, Young was benched in favor of veteran [[Kerry Collins]], who led the Titans to a league best 13–3 record and a playoff appearance before being defeated in the divisional round of the playoffs to the Baltimore Ravens.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans - January 10th, 2009 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200901100oti.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In 2009, following a 0–6 start under Collins, Young returned as starting quarterback and led the Titans to winning eight of their final ten games and narrowly missing the playoffs. The 2009 season was also notable as it was the season in which second-year running back [[Chris Johnson (running back)|Chris Johnson]] became the sixth player to run for more than 2,000 yards in a season and broke [[Marshall Faulk]]'s record for most single season yards from scrimmage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-01-03 |title=Johnson sixth to rush for 2,000 yards |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4793132 |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref><ref name="l493">{{cite web | last=Hudson | first=Ryan | title=Chris Johnson Becomes Sixth Player To Rush For 2,000 Yards | website=SBNation.com | date=2010-01-03 | url=https://www.sbnation.com/2010/1/3/1232280/chris-johnson-video-2000-yards-scrimmage-record | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> Johnson made three Pro Bowl appearances with the Titans before departing after the 2013 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnCh04.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Following the 2010 season, Young, Collins and Fisher all departed, and quarterback [[Jake Locker]] was drafted in 2011.<ref name="p183">{{cite web | last=Bell | first=Gregg | title=He's Now 'Nashville Jake': Locker Drafted 8th Overall By The Titans
| website=Washington Huskies | date=2011-04-28 | url=https://gohuskies.com/sports/2011/4/28/208026205 | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> After spending his rookie season as a backup, Locker's career as a starter beginning in 2012 was marked by inconsistent play and numerous injuries, which led to his retirement shortly after departing from the team after the 2014 season after a four-year career.<ref name="y456">{{cite web | last=Patra | first=Kevin | title=Jake Locker announces retirement from NFL | website=NFL.com | date=2015-03-10 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jake-locker-announces-retirement-from-nfl-0ap3000000477807 | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

After posting a league-worst 2–14 record during the 2014 season, their worst since moving to Tennessee, the Titans drafted quarterback [[Marcus Mariota]] in the 2015 NFL Draft with the second overall pick, who became the Titans' franchise quarterback for the next four seasons.<ref name="h680">{{cite web | last=Kuharsky | first=Paul | title=Titans pick Marcus Mariota at No. 2, plan to make QB Day 1 starter | website=ESPN.com | date=2015-05-01 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2015/story/_/id/12795757/tennessee-titans-select-marcus-mariota-no-2-overall-pick | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> Although the Titans finished with another league worst record of 3–13 during the 2015 season, Mariota along with multi-Pro Bowl teammates such as tight end [[Delanie Walker]], offensive tackle [[Taylor Lewan]] and defensive tackle/defensive end [[Jurrell Casey]], led the Titans to three consecutive winning records of 9–7 from 2016 to 2018. During the 2017 season, the Titans returned to the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 and won their first playoff game since 2003, overcoming a 21–3 halftime deficit against the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] to win 22–21 before being eliminated in the divisional round.<ref name="q631">{{cite web | last=Skretta | first=Dave | title=Titans rally from 21-3 hole, beat Chiefs 22-21 in playoffs | website=AP News | date=2018-01-07 | url=https://apnews.com/article/san-francisco-49ers-tennessee-titans-kansas-city-chiefs-nfl-sports-1019ab6588a143d285edbf50d61c0763 | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> The Titans saw their season end in the Divisional Round with a 35–14 loss to the New England Patriots.<ref name="t364">{{cite web | last=Hightower | first=Kyle | title=Patriots back in AFC title game, Titans trip into offseason | website=AP News | date=2018-01-14 | url=https://apnews.com/patriots-back-in-afc-title-game-titans-trip-into-offseason-d997dd31ba9449bda2cf5c6a6fd2d0f6 | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> Despite their postseason success in the 2017 season, the Titans moved on from head coach Mike Mularkey.<ref name="u487">{{cite web | last=Walker | first=Teresa M. | title=Titans fire coach Mike Mularkey after playoff win | website=AP News | date=2018-01-16 | url=https://apnews.com/titans-fire-coach-mike-mularkey-after-playoff-win-6014e860d5ad458899ab98b55d875815 | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

The Tennessee Titans entered a new era in the late 2010s with the hiring of head coach [[Mike Vrabel]] in 2018.<ref name="a416">{{cite web | last=Wolfe | first=Cameron | title=Mike Vrabel agrees to become new head coach of Titans | website=ESPN.com | date=2018-01-20 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22162638/mike-vrabel-hired-tennessee-titans-new-head-coach | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> Prominent players drafted during the 2019 season included defensive end [[Jeffery Simmons]] and wide receiver [[A. J. Brown]], both of whom would later have prolific careers with the team. Under Vrabel's leadership, during the 2019 season, Mariota was benched in favor of offseason trade acquisition [[Ryan Tannehill]] after a 2–4 start and with the emergence running back [[Derrick Henry]], who led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, the team returned to prominence. The Titans reached the AFC Championship Game during the 2019 season.<ref name="m850">{{cite web | title=Chiefs shut down Henry, Titans game plan in AFC title game | website=AP News | date=2020-01-20 | url=https://apnews.com/article/6dc66c81f740e1534e351b8250791c2f | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> Mariota, Walker and Casey all departed after the 2019 season.

Derrick Henry won the Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2020 after rushing for 2,000 yards.<ref name="m934">{{cite magazine | last=Walsh | first=Christopher | title=The Extra Point: Derrick Henry's 2020 Season More Than Worthy of a King | magazine=Sports Illustrated | date=2021-05-20 | url=https://www.si.com/college/alabama/bamacentral/the-extra-point-derrick-henry-2020-season-worthy-of-a-king | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> Henry was part of a 2020 campaign that saw the Titans win the AFC South with an 11–5 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Tennessee Titans Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/2020.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Titans' season ended with a 20–13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round.<ref name="a528">{{cite web | last=Shook | first=Nick | title=Ravens edge Titans to secure Lamar Jackson's first-career playoff win | website=NFL.com | date=2021-01-10 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/ravens-edge-titans-20-13-to-secure-lamar-jackson-s-first-playoff-win | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

In the 2021 season, the Titans finished with a 12–5 record, won the AFC South, and got a first round bye.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Tennessee Titans Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/2021.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Titans' season ended with a Divisional Round 19–16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.<ref name="r467">{{cite web | last=Goldsmith | first=Charlie | title=AFC Championship: Cincinnati Bengals beat Titans 19-16 | website=Cincinnati Enquirer | date=2022-01-22 | url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2022/01/22/nfl-playoffs-cincinnati-bengals-titans-afc-divisional-round-football-championship/6611570001/ | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> The Titans traded away Brown after the season. In 2022, the Titans suffered their first losing season since 2015 with a 7–10 mark, losing each of their last seven games despite a 7–3 start.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 Tennessee Titans Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/2022.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In the 2023 season, the Titans finished with a 6–11 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 Tennessee Titans Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/2023.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Following the 2023 season, Vrabel was fired as head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-09 |title=Titans fire coach Mike Vrabel after six seasons |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39272784/sources-titans-fire-coach-mike-vrabel-6-seasons |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan was hired to be the team's head coach prior to the 2024 season.<ref name="v820">{{cite web | last=Walker | first=Teresa M. | title=Titans hire Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as their head coach | website=AP News | date=2024-01-24 | url=https://apnews.com/article/titans-brian-callahan-coach-5debfdb1aead4a1eb1502e84a5cff340 | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> Prominent departures that occurred during or after the 2023 season included Henry, Tannehill and two-time First-Team All-Pro safety [[Kevin Byard]].