The State of the Titans
The Tennessee Titans have had a very noteworthy off-season and have split fans heading into 2023. The general feeling around the league though is that 2023 is trending to be a transitional season and one that will signal the end of an era and the beginning of a new one in Nashville. The Will Levis pick, and Ran Carthon’s first offseason in Tennessee will forever significantly change the Titans franchise for better or for worse. Let’s explore the Titans’ offseason, how we got to this point, and how things are looking heading into the 2023 season.
2022 Season: A Frustrating & Disappointing Season
Tennessee Titans quarterbacks Ryan Tannehill (17) and Malik Willis (7) – George Walker IV/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports
The Titans sent shockwaves through the league last offseason during the NFL draft when former GM Jon Robinson traded superstar WR AJ Brown to the Eagles in the first round. This decision loomed large over the Titans throughout the 2022 season. While AJ Brown went on to have a monster season, catching 88 passes and 11 touchdowns, the Titans’ glaring hole of not having an elite difference maker at WR, coupled with a plethora of injuries, caught up to them eventually.
The Titans fired GM Jon Robinson as a result of the roster he had constructed for the 2022 season. After losing seven straight games, the Titans missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018 and thus began the 2023 offseason, where the top priority was finding a new GM to work with and build a roster to complement head coach Mike Vrabel.
The Offseason: A New Era
Tennessee Titans GM Ran Carthon – George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA Today Network
The Titans made a popular hire in Ran Carthon. When he was announced as the new team’s GM in January, there was a sense of optimism and excitement because of his involvement in helping to build the 49ers roster. He had to hit the ground running as the Titans’ GM because there were difficult decisions to be made and not a lot of cap space to work with.
This forced Carthon’s hand to make some cuts to create cap space. The question heading into free agency was exactly how aggressive Ran Carthon was going to be with cuts and if this was going to be the start of a “rebuild” or if he was going to “reload” to try and win in 2023.
- Taylor Lewan, LT
- Robert Woods, WR
- Zach Cunningham, LB
- Bud Dupree, EDGE
- Ben Jones, C
- Randy Bullock, K
In Addition, the Titans had to let OG Nate Davis, TE Austin Hooper, and LB David Long Jr. walk and leave through free agency.
These moves were made to create salary cap space and set the stage for free agency, and ultimately reshape the Titans’ roster under a new vision. It was clear, however that with Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry remaining on the team as free agency began, Ran wasn’t going to tear down the whole foundation and start a rebuild but opted for the “reload” approach for 2023.
The Offseason: Free Agency
Tennessee Titans DT Jeffrey Simmons (98) – Casey Gower/Nashville Post
The number one priority for many this offseason was to secure DT Jeffrey Simmons to a long-term deal. The Titans would do just that and secure “Big Jeff” on a four-year deal worth $94 million. Titans fans had PTSD from the year prior with AJ Brown and did not want to experience the pain of letting a franchise cornerstone player go again. Locking him up on a franchise-friendly deal was a big win for the Titan’s organization.
The second biggest priority this offseason for new GM Ran Carthon and Mike Vrabel was fixing the offensive line. The Titan’s offensive line was one of the worst in the NFL last season. After giving up 49 sacks last year, the Titans made the offensive line a high priority through free agency by signing:
- Andre Dillard, OT: Signed to a three-year, $29 million deal to strengthen the offensive line. Dillard suffered a biceps tear in 2020 and never regained his starting position at LT due to Jordan Mailata becoming a great player at the position. This is a risk but also a second chance at Dillard to solidify himself as an NFL starter at the position.
- Daniel Brunskill, G: Agreed to a two-year deal to provide versatility and depth along the offensive line. Brunskill’s ability to play multiple positions along the offensive line provided much-needed depth and flexibility across multiple OL positions.
In addition to the offensive line signings, the Titans made significant free-agent signings across various positions. The four most notable free agent signings outside of the OL were:
- Sean Murphy-Bunting, CB: Signed to a one-year deal to bolster the secondary. Murphy-Bunting brings experience and playmaking ability, adding depth to the Titans’ defensive backfield, and could become a key player in a key role. Murphy-Bunting was recently rated by PFF as the 19th overall CB in the NFL and the 8th-best CB in the AFC.
- Arden Key, OLB: Signed a three-year deal worth $21 million to address the pass-rushing needs. Key accounted for 4.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, and 27 tackles last season in Jacksonville. His potential to make an impact alongside with the returning Harold Landry III fills an edge rusher void the Titans had last year as they could not depend on Bud Dupree due to injury.
- Azeez Al-Shaair, ILB: Signed a one-year deal worth up to $6 million. He played in 12 games in 2022, when he recorded 44 tackles, but he was sidelined for five games with a knee injury. He had the best year of his career in 2021 when he tallied 102 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, two tackles, and an interception. He fills the role David Long left and could become a solid starter.
- Chris Moore, WR: In six NFL seasons, Moore has 116 catches for 1,286 yards and eight touchdowns. The Titans had a massive hole at WR to start the offseason but only signed Moore. This was significant as Moore provided depth but not the answer the Titans needed at WR.
The Titans got younger, cheaper, and didn’t make a long-term commitment to any of their signings. In a 2023 free agency class that was considered “down” by many analysts, Ran Carthon made value moves that could pay off but gave the team flexibility to move on next offseason if they don’t.
The Offseason: The Draft
Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis (8) – Ben Liebenberg/NFL/Tennessee Titans
- Round 1, Pick 11: Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern: Skoronski’s addition continued to address the Titans’ need for offensive line depth, and Skoronski is probably a day-one starter.
- Round 2, Pick 33: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky: Levis adds quarterback depth for now but was a widely divisive pick. He is not expected to see the field much this year but will be the future face of the franchise. For a full breakdown of the Will Levis pick and why he is so controversial amongst fans, check out my debut article.
- Round 3, Pick 81: Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane: Spears brings additional talent and depth to the running back position. He was electric in college, but injury concerns are the biggest reason for cause for concern with this pick. While Spears was evaluated at the NFL Combine, a test revealed a full-thickness cartilage loss and no ACL in his knee. Furthermore, Spears has arthritis in his knee from his two ACL surgeries.
- Round 5, Pick 147: Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati: Whyle’s selection strengthens the Titans’ tight end corps, providing much-needed depth at the position.
- Round 6, Pick 186: Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland: Duncan’s selection adds depth to the offensive line and potential developmental prospect.
- Round 7, Pick 228: Colton Dowell, WR, Tennessee-Martin: Dowell’s addition brings depth and competition to the wide receiver group through OTA and training camp. It’s unclear whether or not he will make the 53-man roster at any point this season.
To say this year’s draft class was divisive amongst Titans fans is an understatement. Skoronski, in the first round, was a safe and solid first-round selection and fit with the overall offseason vision of improving the offensive line. Outside of that, the Levis, Spears, and the decision to not take a WR until the 7th round was ultimately divisive, bold, and risky. From the social media civil war amongst Titans fans that ensued to Ran Carthon and Mike Vrabel’s uncomfortable defensive draft press conference, it was a draft that absolutely could make Carthon and Vrabel look like geniuses or cost them both their jobs. Only time will tell on that front.
2023 Season Overview:
New Tennessee Titans GM Ran Carthon, left, poses with owner Amy Adams Strunk and head coach Mike Vrabel – Mark Zaleski Associated Press
2023 will be the end of an era in Nashville. It will likely be the last time Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry will be a Titan. New GM Ran Carthon did not commit to a rebuild and has set the Titans up to be a somewhat competitive team. By doing so, 2023 will be a transitional season. The Titans will likely end up missing out on the playoffs and pick in the middle of the first round in the 2024 draft.
Skoronski in the first round was a safe and solid first-round selection, and he will likely be a long-term starter along the offensive line but the selections of Levis, Spears, and the decision to not address WR in free agency or take a WR until the 7th round, was ultimately divisive, bold, risky, and could be a massive blunder. The Titans got younger, and cheaper, and didn’t make a long-term commitment to any of their free-agent signings. Ran made value moves that could pay off and gave the team flexibility next offseason if they don’t.
The real fun for Titans fans and the true test for Ran Carthon as a GM will, unfortunately, have to wait until 2024. The Titans are projected to have $93 million in cap space next offseason. The hope is some of your signings pan out, and Levis is able to see the field some and look as good as he can as a rookie. Until then, the Titans look and feel like a team on a collision course with mediocrity in 2023.
