Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mike Moraitis

Titans agree to terms with ex-Cowboys LB Luke Gifford

After letting David Long walk in free agency to the Miami Dolphins on Monday, the Tennessee Titans have reportedly added another linebacker.

According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, the Titans and former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Luke Gifford have agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth up to $5 million.

An undrafted free-agent signing of the Cowboys in 2019, Gifford has played almost all of his snaps in the NFL on special teams. He has just 74 career snaps on defense over the last three seasons.

However, as Archer points out, there was belief among his coaches in Dallas that Gifford could handle a bigger role if needed.

Based on his contract amount, I don’t think the Titans view him as a locked-in starter and probably more along the lines of a Dylan Cole-type player who can compete for work on defense but will play mostly on special teams.

As far as what Tennessee could expect from Gifford if he does see defensive snaps, it’s hard to gauge with such a little sample size, and that’s especially true in coverage, with Gifford only being targeted seven times in his career.

On the special teams side, Gifford is a really good player, as he posted the fourth-best Pro Football Focus grade on special teams in 2022 (H/T Mike Herndon).

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.