Tennessee Titans Could Target Joe Burrow Weapon To Boost Offense for 2024
Last season, the Tennessee Titans missed the playoffs again for the second consecutive year. If the team wants to make it back, they have to consider trading for Tyler Boyd, one of Joe Burrow’s wide receivers playing for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Under Mike Vrabel, the Titans finished the regular season in fourth place in the AFC South division with a 6-11 record. This marks the second time they missed the playoffs, the last of which occurred in 2018 for the franchise.
Due to the Titans missing the playoffs again, Vrabel was let go, and Brian Callahan was hired by the front office to replace him. The former, in particular, had lost 18 games out of the last 24 dating back to 2022. Vrabel also hasn’t won a single playoff game since the 2019 season.
Meanwhile, Callahan worked as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator. His addition to the team can help bring in some guys from Cincinnati to help the Titans contend again.
Why the Tennesee Titans Should Target Joe Burrow-Teammate Tyler Boyd for 2024
Among those who can be acquired this offseason is Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd. Aaron Schatz of ESPN explains why this move makes sense:
The Titans are set on the outside with DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks, but they need an upgrade in the slot. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine had a surprisingly good receiving DVOA this past season, 9% over average, but doesn’t have a standout career so far. He’s a free agent and could leave Tennessee. Kyle Philips has struggled with injuries and has played 13 games in two seasons since the Titans drafted him in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. The Titans can do better. A big addition would be Boyd from the Bengals. He did not have an efficient year in 2023, but it was just two years ago that Boyd ranked second in DVOA among all receivers with at least 50 targets. He had at least 750 receiving yards in five straight years from 2018 to 2022 and would be a strong target underneath while Hopkins and Burks draw the defense’s attention,” Schatz wrote.
A change of situation might help Boyd find his groove back with the Titans. With this possible scenario playing out for Tennessee for next season, the team can cut its slump and make it back to the playoffs in 2025.
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What the Tennessee Titans Will Look Like in 2024 Will Be Interesting
The Tennessee Titans had the AFC South to lose in 2024, but they ended up watching the playoffs from the sidelines. After such a disappointing season, there was no other choice for the Titans’ front office but to blow it all up and rebuild.
The first order of business they must take care of is the free agency period, where they must let some long-time players walk. While Terry McCormick of Main Street Media of Tennessee explained the possible releases as gently as possible, some of these departures would be bittersweet for many Titans fans.
Tennessee Titans to release icons like Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry during the offseason
McCormick wrote that long-time QB Ryan Tannehill will be leaving the team after an uninspired performance in 2023:
When he suffered his second ankle injury in as many seasons, someone in the organization decided they liked what they saw in Will Levis to begin the rebuild immediately. Tannehill handled the situation like a pro, and because of that, he will set sail for somewhere else in 2024, hoping for a chance to compete as a starter.
Tannehill only played 10 games in his final season with the Tennessee Titans, completing 65% of his passes for 1618 yards and 4 TDs.
Derrick Henry’s departure would be the most painful for many Titans fans, as he has come to represent the team. McCormick argued that the circumstances surrounding Henry last season—where he ran for 1167 yards and 12 TDs—would prevent any way of him making a comeback with the new regime:
While there is the sentimental side of fans that would like to Henry finish his career in Tennessee, especially less than 600 yards away from Eddie George’s franchise rushing mark, it felt like the season finale against Jacksonville was his final chapter here. A new coaching staff certainly does not have the loyalty to Henry that Mike Vrabel did, and Henry himself said he wants a chance to win a Super Bowl.
Other likely departures include DE Denico Audry, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, C Aaron Brewer, and CB Sean Murphy Bunting. While the Tennessee Titans will look to address these departures through the draft and free agency, it may still take a while before they return to form.
