Position Battle Spotlight: Mike Vrabel Pits Monty Rice Against Jack Gibbens for LB2

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans made a major overhaul to their linebacker group this offseason adding multiple veteran free agents, but the team also brought back some young players at the position and two of them are currently locked in a major battle for a starting spot.

We know that one of those free agents, Azeez Al-Shaair, has the top linebacker spot pretty much on lock, but what about the second starting linebacker spot? That will go to either Monty Rice or Jack Gibbens according to Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel spoke about the battle after practice on Monday.

"I think right now they are just trying to develop a role on this football team," Vrabel explained. "Gibby(Gibbens) probably has a little more length, Monty(Rice) is probably a little bit quicker and maybe a little faster, but other than that, they both have been productive thus far and I thought they both showed up today....We will keep having them in competition and know that they'll both continue to get better"

Rice should be considered the favorite. He is entering his third season after the Titans selected him in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. Rice has been inconsistent throughout his career. He has missed 11 of a possible 34 games so far and has been up and down on the field. 

Gibbens was an undrafted free agent rookie in 2022 and took advantage of injuries to get on the field. When Gibbens did, he capitalized. Gibbens had an excellent game in the second matchup with Houston last season, positing an 88.3 coverage grade per Pro Football Focus. Gibbens had his lone career interception that game as well. Also, it is a higher grade than Rice has had in any game in coverage.

Gibbens was also excellent in run defense in a matchup against the Dallas Cowboys last year scoring an 86.2 grade in run defense, higher than any single-game run defense grade Rice has ever earned. However, it is not fair to say Gibbens is a better run defender. The point is to show the potential the Titans could be tapping into with Gibbens.

On the flip side, Rice has been a much more consistent run stopper even if he has had more chances to do so. Rice has had one extra year of experience and as a third-round pick, has been given more opportunity. Something that seems important to note.

Rice is still the favorite, but you can clearly see what the Titans see in Gibbens to have him in this battle. As the pads come on this week and preseason games start to kickoff, this will be a great competition to watch unfold.

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