NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Titans are on a mission in 2024 to turn things around for the organization and they've wasted no time in the process.
By firing Mike Vrabel, hiring a new head coach in Brian Callahan , doing a nearly complete overhaul of the coaching staff, replacing double-digit starers, and spending big in free agency, the Titans are trying to win now.
Are the Titans building a foundation for sustained success as they get answers about Will Levis and other key players? Absolutely. But do they also have realistic expectations to be in contention this season? I don't see why not.
Tennessee has brought in so much veteran talent that it's not hard to see a scenario where they make a push for the AFC South crown. While a jump from worst to first may seem like a lofty goal for the Titans and the fanbase, a last place schedule could also work in their favor.
As a matter of fact, the burden is on the Titans to continue the shocking AFC South trend of teams making that very leap.
2022 Jacksonville Jaguars
First, it was the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022. After finishing 3-14 in Trevor Lawrence's rookie season (2021), the Jaguars got the first overall pick in the NFL draft for the second consecutive year. They used that pick on edge rusher Travon Walker. Jacksonville also hired a new head coach in Doug Pederson and spent big in free agency.
The 2022 Jaguars spent a record $175.3 million in guaranteed money during that offseason to acquire notable players like Christian Kirk , Zay Jones , Brandon Scherff , Evan Engram , Foyesade Oluokun , Darious Williams and Folorunso Fatukasi .
Jacksonville would start 3-7, but go on a late season run to finish 9-8 and win the division. They then proceeded to knock of the Los Angeles Chargers during Wild Card Weekend and even played a tight game with the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Divisional Round.
2023 Houston Texans
After Jacksonville it was the 2023 Houston Texans. The Texans finished the 2022 season at 3-14-1. That was dead last in the division and the second worst record in the NFL. Houston choked away the number one overall pick to the Chicago Bears by winning in Week 18, but were fortunate enough to land quarterback C.J. Stroud at second overall anyways. Houston would select Alabama defensive end Will Anderson Jr. third overall.
During that same offseason, Lovie Smith was fired and DeMeco Ryans was hired to be the Texans' head coach. Notable free agent additions included S Jimmie Ward and DT Sheldon Rankins on defense while putting veteran weapons around their young QB.
Houston signed WR Robert Woods, TE Dalton Schultz, WR Noah Brown, and RB Devin Singletary. They also drafted WR Tank Dell and WR Xavier Hutchinson in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Texans exceed all expectations by finishing 10-7, Stroud shined, and they took home a division title. Just like Jacksonville the year prior, Houston went from the basement to the top of the totem poll and even won a playoff game before getting outdone in the AFC Divisional Round.
2024 Tennessee Titans
The 2024 Titans are now hoping to follow in those footsteps. If quarterback Will Levis takes a significant step forward in year two, the Titans have enough experienced talent to surprise a lot of people.
Adding L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie to Roger McCreary gives Tennessee one of the best cornerback rooms in the sport. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, who is a rising star in the NFL coaching world, will have a lot of tools to get creative with and playmakers in his "aggressive" defense.
Tennessee's offensive line has notable new faces like Lloyd Cushenberry and 2024 first round pick JC Latham. It's also impossible to overstate the impact offensive line coach Bill Callahan will have on this season.
I think it's way too early to write off the Titans as a contender in this division. The AFC South is so wide open that teams can finish in last place one year and finish on top in the next year just by having a busy offseason. We've seen it happen twice now and Tennessee has taken all the necessary steps to getting back in the mix.
Related: Titans QB Will Levis gets unfair 'bust' label before 2024 season even begins
Local Tennessee State
Most Popular
Comments / 0