The Tennessee Titans were always going to be in a tough spot on defense this year because the team had glaring holes at multiple positions that were poorly addressed in the offseason.
The Titans pass rush was always doomed to struggle, because the team's investments at EDGE ranged from modest to laughable, depending on how optimistic you were about Femi Oladejo's ability to contribute as a rookie.
However, the spine of the defense was supposed to be strong. Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat were as dangerous as any defensive tackle duo in the NFL in 2024, and when they have been on the field together, that has been mostly true this season. Where the Titans are really failing on defense is at off-ball linebacker, even though Cedric Gray has had a solid showing as a starter. No, the blame falls solely on Cody Barton.
Titans LB Cody Barton struggled mightily in Week 7 loss to Patriots
Barton was one of the cheap band-aids the Titans added this offseason. Barton is a good communicator and a locker room leader. That is essentially where the positivity ends.
For the vast majority of Barton's snaps, he's appeared painfully slow as a run defender and in coverage. It's like watching someone run through molasses with glass in their shoes. Despite that, when interim head coach Mike McCoy was asked if there was any thought about benching Barton, he brushed it off as an option that wasn't being considered.
McCoy has clearly lost the plot. The goal of this season is to see what the young talent on this roster can do, and while 90% of that attention is going to be on Cam Ward, it also includes other young players like James Williams.
You might remember Williams as the five-star safety turned NFL linebacker who plays with violence and flies around the field. There was a long time in training camp where it looked like Williams might take the job over Gray, but Gray managed to win that battle, and Williams was reduced to special teams.
Maybe Williams wouldn't be a good option as an every-down linebacker for this defense, but it's obvious with absolute certainty that Barton isn't either. The failure to recognize that issue is just another reason why everyone on this coaching staff (except Bones Fassel) needs to be fired the minute the season is over.