Tennessee Titans sophomore tight end Gunnar Helm finally broke out on Sunday. The former Texas Longhorn registered a team-high 76 receiving yards via five catches in the thrilling 43-36 Week 8 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Helm's production in that game raises an immediate question about how offensive coordinator Brian Daboll was using him earlier this season.
Helm also averaged a team-high 15.2 yards per catch. His 25-yard reception was the Titans' second-longest play on offense. It might not be a coincidence Helm's breakout contributed to quarterback Cam Ward also playing his best game on Sunday.
It was the type of receiving-game production Helm proved capable of as a rookie in 2025. The Titans made some changes to Helm's utilization on Sunday. Why wasn't Daboll placing him in these positions earlier?
Gunnar Helm's Week 8 breakout reveals a Brian Daboll mistake
Daboll had been asking Helm to play as a selfless blocker more frequently this season. Blocking is far from Helm's strongest trait. His abilities as a receiver is clearly his calling card.
Pro Football Focus credited Helm with 15 run-blocking snaps on Sunday. That's considerably lower compared to the week prior (26), and represented his third-lowest output of the season in that department. Helm also only had six pass-blocking reps.
Helm's eight targets and five receptions were both season highs. The former 120th overall selection also averaged a season-high 3.04 yards per route run. His previous season-high was nowhere close, at 1.27 (well below his rookie-year average of 1.45).
Titans OC Brian Daboll made changes to Gunnar Helm's Week 8 usage
Three of Helm's receptions produced first downs. Ward enjoyed his first-ever 300 yard passing game. His go-to tight end was routinely trusted to be a reliable outlet. The Titans nearly upset a much better Bengals football team as a result.
It didn't even necessarily take changes to Helm's regular snap count. He earned 49 snaps, which was actually four lower compared to Week 7. No. 2 tight end Daniel Bellinger was still heavily involved, playing 40% of the Titans' total offensive snaps, which is rather routine for his involvement.
It wasn't about benching Bellinger or playing Helm with increased frequency. It was about making efficient changes to Helm's role within the offense. Daboll finally unleashed him in the passing attack. The result was extremely encouraging, but also raised questions regarding why it didn't happen earlier.
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