NASHVILLE, Tenn. — When Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan approached the podium after his 13th loss of the season Sunday, the emotional toll from a frustrating season was written all over his face as Year 1 nears its end.
Entering the final week of the season, the Titans (3-13) would have the No. 3 pick in the draft if the season ended today behind the New England Patriots (No. 1) and the Cleveland Browns (No. 2), according to ESPN Analytics . But Tennessee, which has the second-best odds of securing the No. 1 pick (11.6%), can still get the top spot if it loses to the Houston Texans and if the Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
But what happens if the Titans win? It could knock them as far down as seventh in the draft order depending on other results.
Losing on purpose would be a hard sell to players. Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons scoffed at the idea of purposely losing to get a better draft pick.
“I would tell any coach or GM that told me they’d sit me so we can tank and get a higher draft pick to get me out of here,” Simmons told ESPN. “I don’t want to be a part of no tanking situation.”