Tennessee Titans fans are not pleased with the current state of the offense. Through Week 7, the offense still ranks 31st in points scored per game. The majority of that responsibility falls at the feet of offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
The Titans gave Daboll full control of the offense. He was even allowed to sign a plethora of his former players in free agency to ease the acclimation process in Tennessee. So far, the decision to sign tight end Daniel Bellinger looks especially questionable.
The Titans gave Bellinger a lucrative three-year, $24 million contract. His $8 million annual price tag makes him roughly the 20th-highest paid player in the league at his position. With Bellinger having little-to-no positive impact on offense, his addition is another early miss on Daboll's resume.
Daniel Bellinger hasn't looked like a starting-caliber TE—is that too much to ask for?
Critics immediately questioned the Titans' decision to sign a TE who had never produced 300 receiving yards in a single season to a semi-notable contract. Bellinger is on an even worse pace with the Titans. He's recorded six receptions for 34 yards in seven appearances, averaging a career-low 5.7 yards per catch.
In fairness, the lack of passing-game production isn't totally Bellinger's fault. The Titans rank second-last in passing yardage per game. On Sunday, struggling quarterback Cam Ward overshot a wide-open Bellinger for a walk-in touchdown.
Nor did the Titans believe they were getting an elite receiving tight end when they signed Bellinger. Analysts believed he'd be an excellent in-line blocker who frees up sophomore Gunnar Helm to handle pass-catching duties. That hasn't occurred either.
The Titans are mishandling TEs Daniel Bellinger & Gunnar Helm
Helm has totaled 155 snaps as a blocker, according to Pro Football Focus' data. Bellinger trails him with 113 snaps as a blocker. That is likely a product of Helm outsnapping Bellinger 310-175 on the year, but it still feels like a miscalculation of their abilities.
Helm struggled mightily as a blocker throughout his rookie campaign. Bellinger is the far better blocker. Coach Daboll should probably be splitting these duties more appropriately.
Bellinger also has to capitalize on his opportunities. His current run-blocking grade (PFF) of 54.2 is tracking to be the worst of his five-year career. PFF grades are inconsistent, but the tape of the Titans' run-game struggles indicates accuracy here.
Helm is running routes on 78% of his snaps. As a rookie, that number was 82.6%. Signing Bellinger, a primary blocking TE, while simultaneously asking Helm to take on additional blocking duties isn't how informed fans envisioned this split would go.
Helm and Bellinger haven't formed an effective duo. Largely, that responsibility falls on Daboll's shoulders. It currently serves as another question mark as we continue evaluating Daboll's disappointing offense.
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