Hooker staying put: Titans refusing to trade best defender twice in 1 month should give fans sigh relief

Hooker draws trade interest

With the NFL trade deadline set for Nov. 10, trade speculation around the Tennessee Titans has intensified. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday morning that the team is not seeking to move safety Amani Hooker, though other clubs have shown interest.

Hooker, 28, was named a defensive captain for the rest of the season after Tennessee traded Jeffery Simmons. Jim Wyatt reported the captaincy decision. The article says Hooker was also identified as a possible mid-season target for contending teams.

A standout game after Simmons

In a game against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, Hooker intercepted quarterback Joe Burrow three times, a career high. He became the first Titan to record three interceptions in one game since safety Kevin Byard did so on Oct. 22, 2017.

Hooker has five interceptions this season, matching his previous season best from 2024. He leads all NFL defenders, two ahead of the players tied for second, and leads Tennessee with six passes deflected. He also has the team's second-highest tackle total.

Defense faces a major shift

Hooker and Simmons were both drafted in 2019. Losing both in the same season would alter the defense's outlook, particularly under defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh. The article also points to Hooker's experience as valuable to younger players.

Byard precedent and possible moves

Byard, a former teammate of Hooker, was the latest safety the Titans had traded before the Simmons deal. At the 2023 deadline, Philadelphia sent safety Terrell Edmunds and two draft picks to Tennessee for Byard, then a two-time First Team All-Pro.

If Tennessee makes more deadline deals, the article suggests they could involve the offense. It says Hooker appears likely to remain in Nashville, though the team has not announced a final decision.