Titans pending FA Nick Folk expected to test free-agent market

The Tennessee Titans bringing back pending free agent and kicker Nick Folk is a no-brainer, but they may not have a choice in the matter.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Folk, who was acquired in a trade before the 2023 campaign, is expected to test the free-agent market this offseason.

Folk was outstanding for Tennessee last season, with the veteran kicker making 29-of-30 field goal attempts, including 5-of-6 from 50-plus yards, and all but two of his extra point tries.

His success from 50 yards out was a huge boost following the tenure of Randy Bullock, who Tennessee couldn’t trust to make kicks that long.

Losing Folk would be a big blow for a Titans team that has seen no shortage of struggles at the position since longtime kicker Ryan Succop hit absolute rock bottom in 2019.

I would guess Folk’s desire to test the market is about him wanting to join a contender at this stage of his career (he turns 40 in November) rather than a money issue, as the Titans have no shortage of cap space to afford him.

The Titans already have two-thirds of their 2023 specialists secured, as both punter Ryan Stonehouse and long snapper Morgan Cox are under contract.