With Mike Borgonzi installed as the Tennessee Titans general manager just over a year ago, it made sense to predict that several members of the Kansas City Chiefs would join him over time, as players' contracts expired and they became available on the open market. The pipeline has already been established, and now Borgonzi has found made a new addition in the form of Malik Herring.
The Titans officially signed defensive end Malik Herring, per NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, to a one-year deal shortly after the new league year began. Herring joins Tennessee's defensive front after five years spent with the Chiefs.
Malik Herring has found his first NFL home outside of Kansas City with a one-year deal to play for the Titans.
Herring is one of several free-agent defensive linemen for the Chiefs who could switch teams in 2026. Charles Omenihu, Jerry Tillery, Mike Pennel, Janarius Robinson, and Derrick Nnadi all hit the open market at the same time.
Despite the long odds against him, Herring would reward the Chiefs' faith in him by making the active roster for each of the next four seasons. He played in 28 total games in that span while taking the lift from the practice squad time and again. Herring was decent against the run in limited action, but it was clear his time was coming to a close in 2025 as he only appeared in 2 games with 6 total defensive reps.
Expectations will be minimal for Herring in Tennessee, but he gives the team an experienced end to compete for a roster spot who has been on the rosters of multiple Super Bowl winners. It's not an earth-shattering move, but every roster has these sorts of competitors and Borgonzi wants to make sure the roster has what it needs before entering draft weekend.