We’re approaching the end of May, and for the Tennessee Titans, rookie minicamp is in the books. That doesn’t mean that everyone’s done talking about football though, and why shouldn’t they be? Excitement is, indeed, in the air for the citizens of Nashville and Titans fans all over the country.
Despite the theories of an NFL voice that we’re very familiar with, one Jason La Canfora (he thinks the Titans miss the playoffs at the close of the 2021-2022 season), Tennessee should be in the thick of things and one of the favorites to win the AFC South this season. This would be the second straight season that’s happened.
Most would agree however that their stiffest competition in the division would be the Indianapolis Colts. The Houston Texans are a mess, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are, at least, a year or so away from being real threats. With that being said, expect the Titans and their fans to keep one eye on what’s going on in Indianapolis.
Recently, news broke of a potential investment that could solidify at least one spot on the Colts roster for the foreseeable future.
The Tennessee Titans may have to worry about Darius Leonard for a while.
Since his official introduction to the NFL in 2018, former South Carolina State Bulldogs linebacker Darius Leonard has been a bit of a pain if you self-identify as a Tennessee Titans fan. In addition to being named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year at the close of the 2018 season, he’s a two-time First-team All-Pro (2018, 2020) and a two-time Pro Bowler (2019, 2020).
He led the NFL in tackles in 2018 and was added to the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team as a result. He’s seen the Titans on the field six times. The Colts are 4-2 in those games. Leonard has contributed to the cause with 60 total tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and five sacks. It would be nice if he went away, but it doesn’t look like he will.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Colts are in the process of hammering out a new extension. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, especially after Indy let Anthony Walker leave and sign with the Cleveland Browns. Keep an eye on this one. At the time of this story being published Leonard hasn’t signed an extension yet, but we might be hearing about one in the coming days (or hours).