NASHVILLE - With all the storylines taking center stage in Music City this offseason, it can be easy to overlook the impact some returning players will have on the Tennessee Titans.
While Tennessee's new defensive pieces like L'Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie, and T'Vondre Sweat are soaking up the spotlight, there are few players more important to the Titans' defensive success in 2024 than safety Amani Hooker.
Hooker got a three-year, $33 million contract extension from the Titans and given the team's big need at safety, he needs to give them what they paid for in 2024.
As things currently stand, the Tennessee Titans have not added a veteran safety in free agency despite the glaring need for depth. Safety is one of the thinnest position groups on the depth chart, and while there are plenty of options still available to be signed, nothing is guaranteed.
It’s not hard to see why Amani Hooker is such an important piece of the Titans' defense this season. And considering that he has sixth highest cap hit on the roster ($9.31 million), Hooker really needs to come through.
Tennessee had one of the worst secondaries in the NFL in 2023, particularly when it came to allowing explosive passing plays. The Titans defense was bottom five in passing plays of 40+ yards allowed (11), bottom five in opponent passer rating allowed (96.4), bottom three in completion percentage allowed (67.8%), and dead last in interceptions (6).
While the cornerbacks are new and improved in 2024, that same group of safeties is now without Kevin Byard's elite play and leadership for the first time in nine years. Hooker needs to step up and be that guy. Maybe more importantly, he needs to stay healthy.
Should Hooker go on the shelf this season, Elijah Molden (who may be more of a slot cornerback than safety) would become Tennessee's top option at the position. It would also force one of Shyheim Carter, Mike Brown, and Matthew Jackson to start games. Those three guys have a combined 139 career defensive snaps played. Hooker is indispensable. Point blank.
I'm not looking for Amani Hooker to be an All-Pro or Pro Bowl safety this season. He doesn't need to be Kevin Byard...those are some big shoes to fill. He just needs to be the best version of himself possible and remain as consistent as he was in 2023. There's a reason the Titans gave him a $33 million contract.
This is less about Hooker needing to take a massive step forward and more about how Tennessee can ill afford for something to go wrong here. Sometimes, you have enough depth at a position where an injury or dip in production can be overcome.
If the Titans lose Tony Pollard or Tyjae Spears at some point this season, I don't think it's completely debilitating for the running game. If DeAndre Hopkins is out for a week, you still have Calvin Ridley to step up and fill the void. Vice versa.
That's how things work when you have a depth. But at safety? Without Amani Hooker the Titans are in rough shape. Tennessee needs to hope they get their money's worth on that $33 million deal.
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