The Tennessee Titans made significant roster changes this offseason to improve from a miserable 3-14 2024 campaign.
One move that has been somewhat overlooked in the free agency frenzy is the signing of former Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods during the early stages of the signing period. A consummate professional, this addition could pay enormous dividends for the Titans.
At the NFL Owners Meetings, his former coach, Dave Canales, discussed Woods and why the Panthers will miss him in 2025 and beyond.
Panthers HC Dave Canales on new #Titans safety Xavier Woods: Always in good position and tracking both in run game and pass game...reliability, the same guy every day, professionalism. He was a guy I'd tell the younger guys, you want to play a long time look what he's doing. pic.twitter.com/Dkbk2L0EjO
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) April 1, 2025
“He was always in a good position and tracking on players in both the pass and run games,” Canales said. “He showed up for reliably.”
More than his performance on the field, what made Woods stand out with Carolina was what he brought to the locker room and his veteran presence for the younger players.
“Beyond that, professionalism. He (Woods) was the same guy every day.” Canales explained, “Same preparation before practice, coming to the meeting room at the same time. You could count on him. He was very steady, a calming presence.”
The Titan's defense battled injury in 2024 but also lacked a steadying influence on the back end after safety Quandre Diggs went down with an injury. With Woods now in the fold, the Titans might have found a leader who can right the ship when things start to spiral.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Panthers' Dave Canales breaks down Titans' new safety, Xavier Woods