After getting clearance to leave Houston a year early, the team needed to find a temporary home while construction began on their new stadium in Nashville. Eventually, the Oilers would sign an agreement to play at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.

On August 31st, the Oilers made their Tennessee debut at the Liberty Bowl by beating the Oakland Raiders 24-21 in overtime. Highlighting the day was Eddie George, who rushed for 216 yards.

As quarterback Steve McNair struggled in his first full year as a starter, the Oilers would lose their next four games. The Oilers would recover to win three in a row but finished at 8-8 while alternating wins and losses in the second half.

Playing in Memphis, the Oilers would go 6-2 at home, despite struggling to get more than 30,000 a game. After the season, the Oilers decide to move again, deciding they are better off playing in Nashville their eventual home, where they signed a deal to play a season on Vanderbilt University's campus.