Heading into the 2026 season, the Tennessee Titans tight ends looked like a well-balanced group that was going to be a positive, steadying presence for this offense. While the offensive line and running backs have been doing their part, the tight ends have been an absolute non-factor for the Titans through the first two months of the season.
Heading into Week 7, Gunnar Helm is averaging 10 yards per game. While Daniel Bellinger is averaging half of that, with five yards per game. If the Titans' passing attack weas thriving and the wide receivers were accounting for 200+ yards per game, then it wouldn't be a big deal. However, the passing game is struggling, and it is struggling in a very specific way.
Right now, whether a player is open or covered, Cam Ward cannot hit any deep passes. That part of the game is nonexistent, and that is (arguably) solely a Ward problem. However, that doesn't mean that teams aren't playing within the structure of their base defense, meaning that they aren't playing single-high safety looks every snap.
Titans need to get Gunnar Helm involved on offense
If opposing safeties are still playing deep, then there should be space for the running backs and tight ends to take advantage of their matchups and make plays in the passing game.
For all of his faults, this is something that Tyjae Spears has done a good job of in limited opportunities. When Spears gets the ball (and doesn't fumble it), he has done a good job creating yards by winning his matchup and making plays.
While Helm and Bellinger aren't going to be skittering around linebackers like Spears, they have their own advantages, specifically Helm.
At Texas, Helm was the team's de facto WR2 and had 786 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season. Those numbers were second only to future first-round pick Matthew Golden, and his height and hands made it easy to assume that he would be able to translate a lot of that production to the NFL.
Titans OC Brian Daboll must unlock the tight ends
In Helm's promising rookie season, he seemed like a guy who could help Ward out a lot in year two, but so far, the two just haven't been able to connect. And when they have, Helm hasn't been able to do much more than what was provided for him.
Going forward, if the Titans can't hit passes down field to open things underneath, then these tight ends are going to have to take matters into their own hands and prove that they are able to create on their own. Generally, that means catching a pass and gaining yards after contact, but it would be just as good if they could punish defenders with their blocking ability and open up more yards for the running backs.
The tight ends haven't been bad, but they haven't been good either. If this team wants to start stacking wins, they will need more from that group in some way, shape, or form, and that has to start this week against the Cleveland Browns.
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