The Tennessee Titans have had a peculiar run over the past few seasons. There were high hopes and expectations for this team to perform better, possibly even securing a playoff spot. However, those expectations fell short, and the Titans have now been officially eliminated from playoff contention. Several factors contributed to the Titans’ shortcomings, but there are three main reasons why this team didn’t make the playoffs.
3. There Secondary is Terrible
The Titans have encountered numerous issues on their defense, with the most glaring problem being the inadequacy of their secondary. The cornerbacks and safeties have struggled throughout this season, often hampered by injuries.
Taking a closer look at the cornerbacks, there have been significant problems. Sean Murphy-Bunting’s performance has been passable, but his effectiveness has been hindered by recurring injuries, including a recent hip issue. Caleb Farley, though showing promise, has been plagued by frequent injuries, which is unfortunate as his potential is evident when he’s healthy. However, in the NFL, your reliability on the field matters just as much as your talent. Kristen Fulton and Tre Avery have had a dismal season for Tennessee. The only cornerback who has consistently performed well is Roger McCreary, although even he has missed games due to injuries. Similar issues have been observed in the safety position. Given the difficulties faced, acquiring durable depth in the secondary is imperative for the team in the upcoming offseason.
2. The Offensive Line Got Worse
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A significant problem with Tennessee last season was their beaten-up offensive line. What’s worse is that their offensive line has deteriorated further this year. It’s no joke – the Titans’ offensive line is absolutely terrible, and not a single Titans lineman has performed well, except maybe Chris Hubbard, who has been decent.
The biggest mistake this team made during the Vrabel era was not re-signing Jack Conklin. Since then, the Titans have failed to find a suitable replacement. Years ago, they attempted to address this by drafting Isaiah Wilson, but his lack of maturity led to a significant fall from grace, squandering his potential. With the departure of Taylor Lewan, the tackle position has been abysmal. Andre Dillard has been a disappointment since joining the league. Nicholas Petit-Frere struggled to stay healthy due to shoulder issues all season. Dillon Radunz hasn’t played consistently, and both he and Jaelyn Duncan have allowed numerous pressures and sacks on the quarterback. Even interior offensive line has not gotten better and that is a big problem if the offense is not being run properly.
1.Do the Tennessee Titans really have a franchise QB?
This is the main question that needs to be asked because it’s unclear if the Titans have their future QB on the team. Ryan Tannehill seems to be done with the Titans, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he isn’t part of the team next season. Malik Willis was super raw the last time he played, but Will Levis, despite demonstrating flashes of skill, had more negative moments than positive ones. He even suffered an injury at the end of the season. While Levis has potential, the inconsistency in QB play raises doubts, and there’s little confidence that the Titans have their franchise QB, especially considering their performance this season.
Where do the Tennessee Titans go from here?
Honestly, I’m not sure where the Titans should go from here. Firstly, the Titans shouldn’t consider firing Mike Vrabel as coaching wasn’t the main issue this season. Instead, they should focus on fixing the offensive line and secondary, which are clear weaknesses. While acquiring another QB is essential, giving Will Levis another opportunity in that role could be wise. Though Levis wasn’t exceptional, he did a serviceable job and seems more reliable than Malik Willis. The Titans need to address these team issues because Vrabel’s job might be on the line next season, and there won’t be any excuses.
