The Tennessee Titans saw a solid year from their outside linebackers group, which was led by Harold Landry and Arden Key. However, things certainly could’ve been better.
As expected, Landry got off to a slow start in his return from a torn ACL, but the fact that he played as well as he did down the stretch was great news for his outlook. Ultimately, he finished with 10.5 sacks, the second-most of his career.
Key proved to be a serviceable starter with six sacks, the second-most of his career, but he wasn’t as consistent as we would’ve hoped for. If not for a six-week stretch with zero sacks, he would’ve had a career year.
Despite his flaws, Key is good enough to roll with once again in 2024.
Beyond those two, there wasn’t much to talk about. Trevis Gipson and Caleb Murphy barely played, and Rashad Weaver was very disappointing. Gipson’s one sack was the only one to come out of that trio.
In our latest offseason preview, we take a look at the outside linebackers who are under contract and pending free agents, and we go over Tennessee’s biggest needs at the position and how they should approach it.
Under contract
Under contract: Harold Landry, Arden Key, Rashad Weaver, Caleb Murphy
With Landry and Key both under contract, outside linebacker is near the bottom of the list of needs for Tennessee and the team would be fine going into 2024 with both as their starters.
Landry got off to a slow start as expected after returning from a torn ACL, but he rounded into form late in the season and looks primed for a big 2024 campaign.
Key didn’t have the breakout year many projected for him, but his six sacks were the second-most of his career, and he hit that playing 63 percent of the snaps.
After getting off to a fast start in 2022 with four sacks in the first four games, Weaver has just one sack since and didn’t tally a single one in reserve duty in 2023. I had Weaver pegged as a potential cut candidate but wouldn’t be surprised if he plays out the final year of his rookie contract.
Murphy made the roster out of training camp but only saw action in three games and played just four defensive snaps, so the jury is still very much out. He’ll be competing for a roster spot and depth role in his second season.
Pending free agents
Pending free agents: Trevis Gipson
Gipson had an impressive seven-sack season in a 3-4 defense in 2021 before the Chicago Bears switched to a 4-3 in 2022, which wasn’t a good fit for him and ultimately led to his exit.
There was a fair amount of hype for Gipson coming to Nashville, as he was returning to a 3-4 defense. Unfortunately, he was badly underutilized and played in just eight games (76 defensive snaps).
Gipson offers versatility, as he could be a depth option at outside linebacker and a natural replacement for Denico Autry if he moves on in free agency. And, after a quiet year, he’ll likely come cheap.
That said, he’s unlikely to have interest in returning if the Titans move to a 4-3 defense. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has worked in both during his coaching career but hasn’t confirmed how he’ll run things in Nashville.
I wouldn’t have pegged Gipson as somebody the Titans would bring back if not for the coaching change. If given an opportunity, I think he can be an impact pass-rusher for Tennessee, whether that be as a reserve or starter.
Biggest needs
Biggest needs: Depth
The Titans are already solid at the top of the depth chart with Landry and Key, so it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the team doesn’t expend significant resources on the position.
That said, the Titans don’t have any reliable options under contract behind those two, as Weaver was ineffective last season and it’s impossible to know what Murphy is yet.
Knowing the Titans have bigger fish to fry, I’d be fine with a group consisting of Landry, Key, Gipson and Weaver/Murphy, but things change if you take Gipson out of that equation.
If Gipson isn’t re-signed, Tennessee must look for a better depth option, and ideally that would be done in free agency with a veteran who can come in and make an impact right away.
With edge rusher being a premium position, and with Key on the final year of his contract, it’s possible the Titans explore adding an outside linebacker on Day 2 or 3 of the draft, which is a move that could also serve as the depth addition the defense needs for 2024.
Check out our other offseason previews!
