Well, Tuesday didn't quite start the way we wanted it to. The Tennessee Titans received breaking news in the form of a blow to their defense as starting pass rusher Arden Key is now facing a six-game suspension.
Key's suspension comes by way of the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy and will put the Titans in a tough spot to start the year.
Tennessee's first six games will see them take on the likes of some of the league's top quarterbacks, although they might get a bit of a break in Week 1. Let's take a look at how these first six quarterbacks will challenge Tennessee, especially without one of their top pass rushers.
Week 1 at Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams will be making his first start as a pro, and although he is a rookie, he was the no. 1 overall pick for a reason. The Titans don't have any pro film on the kid, which means this is a bit of a wild card type of matchup.
Week 2 vs. New York Jets
This is pretty self explanatory. The Titans take on one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation in Aaron Rodgers, and he's on a mission coming back from a missed season in 2023.
Week 3 vs. Green Bay Packers
There was arguably no quarterback playing at a higher level down the stretch, last year, than Jordan Love. The man just got paid, and Packer fans are hoping he plays up to the contract, picking up where he left off last season. Over the final eight games in 2023, Love posted a TD/INT ratio of 18/1.
Week 4 at Miami Dolphins
The Titans are looking at maybe the league's most explosive offense led by Tua Tagovailoa, who also just got paid. Losing a pass rusher against an offense featuring the most speed in all of football? That's not good.
Week 5 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Like Week 1, this matchup might be a wild card. We're not sure what to make of Anthony Richardson after only four starts as a rookie in 2023. But, he's going to make plays with his legs, and that's going to make life difficult for Tennessee.
Week 6 at Buffalo Bills
Key's suspension ends after the Titans take on the Bills in Week 6, and that means they'll have to defend the dual-threat quarterback with the most rushing touchdowns since entering the league back in 2018, Josh Allen.
Arden Key's suspension leaves rookie Jaylen Harrell with a massive opportunity
Head coach Brian Callahan knows all about the "next man up" mentality. Without Key in the lineup, it'll be on the shoulders of 2021 fourth-round pick Rashad Weaver and this year's seventh-round pick, Jaylen Harrell, out of Michigan.
Harrell has already made his presence known early on during training camp, but he'll need to string together more and more productive days if he's going to fill Key's shoes. Harrell came into the league after posting 16.5 sacks in his final two years with the Wolverines.
Any time you can get your hands on a pass rusher out of the Big Ten, who is used to going up against some of the best offensive linemen in the country, that's a positive move. And, Harrell came in the seventh round. He's got virtually nothing to lose at this point, so fans should expect to see him playing like his hair is on fire.
Can Harrell take advantage of the extra reps? Here's to hoping he can.