Fresh off a resilient 2009 rebound, Jeff Fisher's Tennessee Titans entered 2010 harboring playoff ambitions. To bolster the defense, Tennessee signed pass rusher Jason Babin and linebacker Will Witherspoon in free agency while drafting defensive end Derrick Morgan and cornerback Alterraun Verner. The season began with promise as the Titans sprinted to a 5-2 start. However, an unprecedented midseason tailspin saw Tennessee lose eight of its final nine games, tumbling to a 6-10 finish and last place in the AFC South. The second-half collapse doomed their postseason hopes and brought an end to Fisher's 17-year tenure in Nashville.

The Titans' offense ranked 17th in scoring with 356 points (22.3 ppg) and 27th in total yards (4,834). A quarterback carousel defined the year, featuring Vince Young, 38-year-old Kerry Collins, and rookie Rusty Smith. Young logged a 98.6 rating with 1,255 yards and 10 touchdowns before a season-ending injury to his throwing hand, while Collins posted 1,823 yards and 14 touchdowns. Tailback Chris Johnson anchored the attack, earning Pro Bowl honors with 1,364 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Wide receiver Kenny Britt emerged as a big-play weapon with 775 yards and nine touchdowns, supplemented by Nate Washington's 687 yards and six scores. Midseason waiver addition Randy Moss contributed just six catches for 80 yards.

Defensively, Tennessee ranked 15th in points allowed conceding 339 (21.2 ppg) but 26th in total yards allowed (5,883). Free-agent acquisition Jason Babin enjoyed a breakout year, leading the pass rush with 12.5 sacks to earn a Pro Bowl berth. Middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch anchored the front seven with a team-high 160 tackles. In the secondary, free safety Michael Griffin grabbed four interceptions and 108 tackles to earn Second-Team All-Pro honors, while rookie Alterraun Verner intercepted three passes. Cornerback Cortland Finnegan added 100 tackles and two interceptions, while Will Witherspoon chipped in 92 tackles and three sacks.

Tennessee looked like a contender early, starting 5-2 with victories over Philadelphia, the Giants and Dallas. In Week 7 against the Eagles, Kenny Britt delivered a career game with 225 receiving yards and three touchdowns. However, the season unraveled in Week 11 against Washington. After Young suffered a season-ending thumb injury, a postgame altercation with Fisher effectively ended Young's time in Tennessee. Forced to start rookie Rusty Smith the following week, the Titans suffered a 20-0 shutout loss to Houston. A six-game losing streak stripped away all momentum, extinguishing playoff hopes.

Missing the playoffs at 6-10, the Titans left a complex legacy. Four players earned Pro Bowl recognition: Chris Johnson, Jason Babin, Michael Griffin, and rookie return man Marc Mariani, who scored two return touchdowns. Historically, 2010 marked the end of an era in Nashville. The fallout between Fisher and Young led to both departing in the offseason, forcing a total franchise reset.