Tennessee Titans Linebacker Position Lacking Experience Heading into Free Agency

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans are standing at the door of a full-scale rebuild of their inside linebacker position. With David Long set to hit free agency and Zach Cunningham having already been released, the Titans have little to no depth at the spot and no names that you can count on as starters heading into next season.

If David Long is brought back on a long-term deal, this concern fades away. With Long in the fold, the Titans could no start a less experienced payer next to him confidently or feel they have time to revamp the position through the NFL Draft. If Long leaves, the Titans will be forced to attack the position in free agency or very early in the NFL Draft.

UNDER CONTRACT

Monty Rice - $1.3 Million Cap Hit

Rice returned to the Titans in 2022 after his rookie season was cut short in 2021 due to an Achilles injury. Rice was able to play in 10 games and rack up 66 total tackles. Rice is more of a run stopper at this stage in his career than someone you can count on in pass coverage. Rice finished the 2022 season with a 73.8 run defense grade, per Pro Football Focus, but only a 53.6 grade in pass coverage. Rice can be a valuable depth piece and even a second inside linebacker in base defenses, but he isn’t capable of being your starting, every-down linebacker as things stand now.

Jack Gibbens - $870k Cap Hit

Gibbens got a great opportunity at the end of the season due to injuries and had some really nice moments. Gibbens had a great performance in pass coverage against the Houston Texans that saw him get an interception. He also played a good game in run defense against the Dallas Cowboys. The reality is though that Gibbens is an undrafted free agent from 2021 that, entering his second year, is still fighting for a roster spot more than a starting spot. The Titans will need to see a lot more consistency from Gibbens for him to make the team in 2023.

Chance Campbell - $783k Cap Hit

There isn’t much analysis to provide on Campbell as the sixth-round pick in 2022 missed the whole season with injury. All we can know for sure is, like Gibbens, Campbell is fighting for a roster spot when he makes his return to the field. Gibbens future in Tennessee is anything but certain and another rookie linebacker could likely bump Campbell off the team.

Zach McCloud - $750k Cap Hit

McCloud was an undrafted free agent rookie in 2022 out of the University of Miami, but never played in an NFL game. He spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and the Titans late in the season. He will be coming in on a futures contract which is a non-guaranteed deal that serves as a training camp invite.

The Titans are one free agent decision away from having the worst linebacker group in the NFL so depending on what David Long decides to do, the Titans need to be ready to take drastic action to fix the position.

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