How close to a Super Bowl are the Titans in each phase?
By Brady Akins
Offense: Lombardi-Bound
Losing Arthur Smith is a concern. Replacing the architect of the first Tennessee Titans elite offense in nearly two decades is, quite honestly, something worth panicking about.
But quell those anxieties with one quick look at the Tennessee Titans offensive roster, a group stacked with wall-to-wall talent. Not only is Nashville home to the NFL’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year, but surrounding him is a cast of stars, both established and budding.
Henry’s main partner in crime, the man under center, Ryan Tannehill, would be one of many established stars— a quarterback with elite, Deshaun Watson-esque production without Watson’s name recognition. But 40 total touchdowns to seven interceptions, nearly 4,000 yards on 65% accuracy, all on an offense that prioritizes the ground game? It’s a stat-sheet fitting of a franchise quarterback.
Helping Tannehill reach those numbers is yet more skill position talent, with the tight end Jonnu Smith and receiver Corey Davis being one of a few pass-catchers on the roster who made splashes in 2020. Even with both Davis and Smith being free agents in 2020, the true star of the receiving corps, second-year playmaker AJ Brown, will be back, healthy, and potentially better than ever in 2021.
Even without the aforementioned Smith and Davis, Brown alone is talented enough to shoulder the receiving burden on his own.
Speaking of returning stars, the Titans’ offensive line should see a boost with left tackle Taylor Lewan rejoining the mix after missing most of the season with an ACL tear. He’ll be joining a group potentially in need of a boost at right tackle, but one that is established at every other position on the line.
Even without Arthur Smith and some potential losses in the receiver room, the Titans offense should have enough talent to flourish once again in 2021. The league’s second-ranked offense in total yards should be returning enough talent to keep that elite pace moving forward.