All eyes were on how the Tennessee Titans would handle the Alontae Taylor situation heading into Sunday. Taylor was surprisingly a healthy scratch in Week 6 despite signing a three-year, $58 million contract in the offseason. It turns out Robert Saleh and staff somewhat doubled down on their decision versus the Cleveland Browns in Week 7.
Saleh and staff had said Taylor needed a "reset" after struggling to adjust to being a boundary cornerback on a full-time basis. That's why they scratched him in Week 6. The Titans were adamant that Taylor was an outside cornerback when they signed him to a lucrative contract worth nearly $20 million per season.
Taylor was active versus the Browns on Sunday, but did not play a single defensive snap. He watched Joshua Williams continue taking his spot outside opposite Cor'Dale Flott. The situation continues taking a concerning turn.
Titans double down on decision to bench CB Alontae Taylor in Week 7
Coach Saleh met local media members virtually on Monday morning. He discussed the decision to bench Taylor, claiming the staff wanted another extensive look at Williams. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for 308 yards on Sunday. Pro Football Focus credited Williams with allowing just three receptions for 18 yards in coverage, indicating he had a good day despite the secondary struggles.
Saleh also discussed trying to get Taylor reps at nickel cornerback, his more natural position when he was with the New Orleans Saints. There are multiple problems with that. Firstly, Titans nickel corner Marcus Harris is a developing sophomore who is playing good football and deserves to retain his starting role.
Secondly, the Titans paid Taylor handsomely this past offseason to be a boundary cornerback. Nickel corners do not draw three-year, $58 million contracts in free agency. Given how complex Saleh's coverage schemes are, via his own self-admissions, it seems premature to abandon the original plan for Taylor five weeks into the season.
Titans need to let CB Alontae Taylor ride out his struggles
It's fair to question the Titans' ongoing plan for Taylor. Are they simply waiting for a Harris injury to get Taylor reps at nickel? It seems unfair that any potential development would result in Harris losing snaps when he's played admirably. He's playing like a young solution for a rebuilding roster.
The best course of action would be for Taylor to re-enter the lineup at boundary cornerback and test if his two-week reset leads to any improvement. Perhaps Taylor could split reps with Williams outside in true position-battle fashion. That feels more appropriate than the current approach.
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