An era that saw two division titles and an AFC Championship game is over, with a new QB, RB and head coach. However, the Titans still have a very talented roster that can surprise some people this coming season. Welcome back to another edition of ‘The Super Bowl Race In The Perspective of Chase’, and today we will preview the Tennessee Titans 2024 season!
2023 Season
The Titans came into 2023 in a weird spot. The season prior, they were a sub-par team with injuries to quarterback Ryan Tannehill and not many high-level pass catchers. But they were one year removed from a season where they got the number seed in the AFC despite missing star running back Derrick Henry for nine games. So, was Tennessee going to regain their contention-level play? No. Tannehill just never really found his groove, and a 3-4 start turned into 4-8 and an eventual six win season. But the Titans made the switch in Week 8 to start second round rookie Will Levis, who put together an 8 touchdown, four interception season in nine games, though four of those TD’s came in his debut. Overall, the Titans had some good games, but could never find their groove.
Offseason Additions and Losses
The Titans wanted change after two seasons of no competitive play. So they parted ways with one of the league’s best coaches, Mike Vrabel. They instead hired former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan after his work with Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense. The Titans also decided to trade QB Malik Willis to Green Bay after no progress made in two seasons. But the main piece Tennessee had to part ways with was Derrick Henry, after four Pro Bowl appearances, an AFC Championship, two division titles and a season in which he ran for 2,000 yards. The heart of the team is now gone. And so is Ryan Tannehill, the quarterback who started during this era from 2019 until Levis took over last year. However, the Titans also made some really valuable additions. They signed Cowboys dual-threat running back Tony Pollard to replace Henry, signed former Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley to a long-term deal and signed cornerback L’Jarius Sneed from Kansas City. All three of those moves are ones contenders would make. But instead, the newly coached six-win Titans make them. So the Titans are in a retooling mode, but with some of the league’s most talented players.
X-Factor: Tyjae Spears
Spears will come into the season, again, as the RB2 behind Pollard, just as he was behind Henry last year. But he showed some great ability in the rushing and receiving game. Spears was one of five running backs last season with 4.5+ yards per carry with 100 or more carries along with 50 or more receptions. That’s the kind of weapon he was in a clear backup role behind Henry. He ran for 453 yards and two touchdowns along with 385 receiving yards and a touchdown. Over 800 scrimmage yards in that kind of role just shows how effective he can be when used properly. He possesses great speed and agility, which makes him an intriguing player to watch. If the Titans use him in a 1a-1b backfield with Pollard, he can be a great player.
Reason for Concern: A Ton of New Pieces
As I mentioned earlier, this team has some talented pieces that they added. Pollard is poised for a great season as a primary option on this offense, Ridley can be more consistent if he’s given the opportunity and Sneed can be an All-Pro type ‘lockdown’ corner. However, it doesn’t just work the second they get to a new team. A brand new running back, wide receiver core, defensive outlook and head coach is not something teams seamlessly adjust to. Especially not when they’re all happening at the same time. Levis will find a rhythm with his offensive options, Callahan will have to figure out what he wants the team to play like and the identity of the ball club. These are not easy adjustments. And it will take time for Tennessee to get it together and find a game plan to utilize all of the talent.
Reason for Promise: The Titans Have a Head Start on Their Rebuild
When having to move on from an era, teams often struggle to find immediate talent to build off of. Not Tennessee. I mentioned all of the players they added, and that’s fantastic. For them to begin their rebuild with some of the most talented veterans in the game gives them an advantage. They’re going to be developing their talent while maybe even playing important football in early-mid December. That’s huge. That will only help Will Levis mature as the team’s starter and leader, it will only help Tyjae Spears become the RB1 he can be maybe help Treylon Burks develop into the receiver he was drafted to be. What a head start to a rebuild. And not only that, but it may accelerate the process of the rebuild, and allow them to play competitive football sooner than they were expecting.
Prediction
Tennessee has the raw talent on paper to be a dangerous teams at times this season. And they will. They’ll have some great moments, and will have some great games. But with a new head coach and new pieces, the Titans won’t be near a postseason team. They’ll be too inconsistent and too unproven to finish with that kind of record. So they’ll show some promising signs, but they’re not yet a team that can compete for a postseason position.
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