The 2019 AFC Championship certainly didn’t end the way that the Tennessee Titans hoped that it would. After losing 35-24 to the Kansas City Chiefs, the offseason has arrived abruptly and completely unplanned for.
The Titans got red hot behind an indomitable running game with Derrick Henry and an offensive line that was playing at an elite level. The defense stepped up big time and made plays against the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens. But, neither team possessed the depth, talent, and speed on offense that the Chiefs did. As a result, the Titans have cleaned out their lockers, said their goodbyes for the offseason, and the ball is rolling towards the 2020 campaign.
The story of this season as a whole, though, is pretty remarkable. The team started 2-4. They couldn’t score a single point on the Denver Broncos and lost that game 16-0. It ended up being the pivotal moment in the season, as the team would make the switch at quarterback from Marcus Mariota to Ryan Tannehill. From there, they went on a tear that saw Henry capture the NFL’s rushing title, and Tannehill finish the year as the NFL’s highest rated passer.
But, now after all of this, as the dust is settling, this Titans team is at a bit of a crossroads. It’s fair to ask whether a berth in the AFC Championship was the culmination of four years’ worth of building rosters and 9-7 records. Is this as far as Henry and a stout running game could carry a team in the modern NFL?
I don’t think so. Don’t get me wrong – I also think it’s completely fair to ask that question and be critical. Maybe I’m too much an optimist when it comes to this team, but I tend to think of this situation from a ‘glass half full’ standpoint. I think this is the window opening for this franchise.
It starts with leadership – namely, Jon Robinson. He’s done a wonderful job since taking over the General Manager role. Key free agent signings, draft picks, trades – you name it. J-Rob stays out there wheelin’ and dealin’.
This year’s draft class, in particular, stands out. A.J. Brown is in the running for ‘Rookie of the Year.’ Jeffery Simmons looks like an all-world talent. Nate Davis is the starting right guard of the future. And, Amani Hooker and David Long both made contributions this year. Beyond that, it looks like he’s hit on Jack Conklin, Rashaan Evans, Adoree Jackson, Harold Landry, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some dudes. The point is that J-Rob has shown a propensity to build the foundation of his roster through the NFL Draft and supplement the roster with role players in free agency and trades.
As long as he keeps that track record going, I don’t think there’s any reason to doubt that this team is going to be one of the deepest in the league.
Then, there’s Mike Vrabel. He is the quintessential ‘leader of men’ type. But, what’s most encouraging about his future is how he learned on the job. Earlier in the season, Titans fans were ready to roast the guy for his reckless aggression – going for it on 4th downs when it seemed unnecessary, for example. But, his decision-making and situational football instincts have improved dramatically over the course of the last couple of months. We knew we were getting a guy who was going to be a little raw as a head coach back in 2018, but his progress is encouraging.
J-Rob and Vrabel aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. It’ll take adjustments, sure, and nothing in the NFL is ever easy, but if this team continues on this trajectory, they’ll be good for seasons to come because of the leadership present.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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