{"id":251435,"date":"2025-10-17T13:00:23","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T17:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=251435"},"modified":"2025-10-17T07:40:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T11:40:16","slug":"titans-arden-key-drawing-trade-buzz-4-best-fits-emerge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/10\/17\/titans-arden-key-drawing-trade-buzz-4-best-fits-emerge\/","title":{"rendered":"Titans Pass Rusher Drawing Trade Buzz; 4 Best Fits Emerge"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tennessee Titans are in a downward spiral and could trade pass rusher Arden Key as the trade deadline approaches. Currently sitting at 1-5, the team already fired head coach Brian Callahan<\/a> after a disastrous stint and is firmly looking towards the future. While developing Cam Ward<\/a> should be their top priority, they should also try to get draft picks for their aging veterans on expired contracts.<\/p>\n

Titans Could Trade Arden Key; 4 Suitors Emerge<\/h2>\n

Based on that criteria, it’s hard to see Arden Key sticking around beyond the trade deadline. Now entering the final year of his contract, the 29-year-old probably isn’t a part of the long-term plan, and teams desperate for a pass rusher could send a late-round pick for his services. Key is no superstar, but he’s a decent rotational player who can get after the quarterback and clog rushing lanes on the outside.<\/p>\n

Main Photo: Andrew Nelles – Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. New England Patriots<\/h3>\n

The New England Patriots are ahead of schedule in their rebuild, thanks to the great performance of second-year quarterback Drake Maye<\/a>. The UNC product has successfully built on his impressive debut to establish himself as one of the league’s best quarterbacks, and now it’s time for the Patriots to build around him. While the team currently sits atop the AFC East with a 4-2 record, they could use more help to go on a deep playoff run.<\/p>\n

Mike Vrabel brought Arden Key to Tennessee in 2023, so it only makes sense that he trade for him now. New England has one of the league’s best defensive tackle duos in Milton Williams and Christian Barmore, but they could more help on the edge. Keion White has not played well, and Harold Landry is the only starting-caliber edge defender on the roster. Key may not be a superstar, but he would improve the unit.<\/p>\n

\"Cleveland
Aug 4, 2024; Cleveland Browns advisor Mike Vrabel during practice at the Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

2. San Francisco 49ers<\/h3>\n

The San Francisco 49ers have battled injury after injury yet they remain in the thick of the playoff race. While some of their injured stars will return later in the year, Nick Bosa is done for the season<\/a> and won’t be on the field until 2026. This team needs a pass rusher, and with Trey Hendrickson not likely to be available, the team could pivot to Arden Key.<\/p>\n

It goes without saying that Arden Key is not Nick Bosa, but he might be the best option on the trade block. Joe Flacco’s Bengals are alive in the playoff race and won’t want to trade their star player, while Tennessee’s season is already over. Key could add some stability to an injured defense, and that alone justifies a late-round pick.<\/p>\n

\"San
Sep 7, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, right, talks with head coach Kyle Shanahan during pregame warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

3. Carolina Panthers<\/h3>\n

The Carolina Panthers are 3-3 and fighting for a playoff spot under third-year quarterback Bryce Young and second-year head coach Dave Canales. The team entered the season knowing the edge defender position would be an issue, as rookies Nic Scourton<\/a> and Princely Umanmielen were set to handle major roles.<\/p>\n

Scourton has played well and is a legitimate starter, but Umanmielen would probably benefit from playing in a situational role. An Arden Key trade would give Carolina a much-needed veteran presence at the position and increase their odds of making the playoffs for the first time since the Cam Newton days.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Sep 14, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales looks on during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

4. Dallas Cowboys<\/h3>\n

Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP<\/a> level, but the defense is so bad that they’re still 2-3-1 entering Week 7. While it’s too late to undo the Micah Parsons trade, they could minimize the damage by going after Arden Key.<\/p>\n

Even though the Cowboys are currently on the wrong side of .500, it’s safe to assume Jerry Jones wants to win football games in 2025. Seeing as they have an abundance of draft picks, they shouldn’t worry about sending a late-round selection to the Titans for Key’s services. Key won’t reshape the defense, but he won’t need to. With how Prescott’s playing, all the defense has to do is not be the worst in football.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Sep 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on the sideilne before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Tennessee Titans could trade pass rusher Arden Key as the team embraces another top-down rebuild.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2376,"featured_media":251436,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6431,30,19,5,31,11],"tags":[9010,7661,7700],"class_list":["post-251435","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl-teams","category-panthers","category-cowboys","category-patriots","category-49ers","category-titans","tag-arden-key","tag-panthers-featured","tag-tennessee-titans-news"],"modified_by":"David Latham, Managing Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251435","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2376"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=251435"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251435\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":251437,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251435\/revisions\/251437"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/251436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=251435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=251435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=251435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}