The NFL like many sports leagues is split between the haves and have-nots. Put another way, teams that believe they are ready to compete today and teams that recognize their best chance at success lies in the future. The teams that are ready to compete today are often fighting against time as each year their window moves closes a bit further. It is exceedingly rare that a team has sustained success over decades, and for the most part these consistently competitive teams are led by franchise quarterbacks. One team that is attempting to buck this star quarterback led trend is the Tennessee Titans. 

The Titans are fresh off another relatively successful campaign which saw them securing the 1 seed in the AFC playoffs with a 12-5 record. The post season was not as kind however as the Titans fell to the Cincinnati Bengals 19-16. The regular season success can be attributed primarily to a strong running attack which ranked 2nd in yards and defense which ranked 6th in scoring. Their passing game however presented a weak spot with veteran Ryan Tannehill throwing for 3734 yards with 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. 

Tannehill’s relative mediocrity came as a disappointment after a career renaissance in the previous two seasons where he threw for 55 touchdowns with only 13 interceptions. It should come as little surprise then that the Titans have decided to get younger with their passing game. First they released veteran receiver Julio Jones who turned in a disappointing and injury filled season after being traded from Atlanta the previous offseason. They followed that up with a surprising trade sending A. J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 18th overall pick and a third rounder. The first round pick became Treylon Burks, a wide receiver out of Arkansas and a clear attempt at a replacement for Brown. It is unclear if Burks will be able to fill in for Brown but he will be cheaper as Brown signed a 4 year $100 Million contract with the Eagles. 

The movement towards youth didn’t end there as Titans drafted Liberty quarterback Malik Willis in the third round. Willis is seen as a project QB, one that with the proper coaching and guidance can harness his talent and potentially become a solid NFL starter. The issue with that is current starter Tannehill is not especially keen on mentoring Willis. In a meeting with reports on Tuesday Tannehill made feelings clear saying 

 “I don’t think it’s my job to mentor him. But if he learns from me along the way, then that’s a great thing.” 

This situation will be one to keep a close eye on. If Tannehill and the Titans start slow coming off the post season disappointment, there could be calls to see what the team has in Willis. Ultimately it is up to head coach Mike Vrabel to balance the present day version of the Titans with the potential future version this draft has set up. Star running back Derrick Henry is coming off an injury and has shouldered the offensive load over the past three seasons. It is unclear if King Henry will be able to stay healthy and deliver in the way that the team needs or if the injury will slow down a once seemingly unstoppable force. 

The good news for the Titans is the AFC South should remain relatively weak with the Texans and Jaguars unlikely to make a significant jump from where they finish in 2021. Their biggest hurdle will likely be the Indiapolis Colts who sport an exceptionally talented roster, Indy’s success will depend greatly on how much the newly acquired Matt Ryan has left in the tank. The ideal scenario for Tennessee is they will stay atop their division while Burks and Willis develop, allowing the transition between present and future to be seamless. However this is the NFL and ideal scenarios very rarely play out. 

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