Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson spoke with the media on Wednesday afternoon regarding the team's recent free agent signings and returning players for the 2024 season.
Wilson presented confidence when asked about L'Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie, and the Titans' secondary. He raved about the versatility of Sebastian Joseph-Day. He also gave a glowing review of recently signed linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. and how Murray can fit within his defense.
But along the way, Wilson confirmed an ongoing suspicion about Murray and hole within the' defense: The Titans do not have a linebacker on the roster prepared to wear the green dot and be the communicator, and it won't be Murray stepping into that role (at least not right away).
"We're not focused on the green dot right now. I think that's up to guys getting out there and performing and seeing how much information they can retain first and foremost," said Wilson when asked if Murray was expected to be Tennessee's defensive communicator. "The thing with Kenneth is - just like when he came out of college - you saw the explosiveness. He's a big man. He's athletic, he's smart, he can make all the plays."
"For us, our thought process is to put him in a position to allow him to play free," Wilson continued. "To cut it loose so that he doesn't have to think as much right now. And as we start to let him go out there and cut it loose and he plays fast, and physical, and ahead of plays, then you give him the other responsibilities. But right now it's about him being the best version of himself. The good self. And trying to maximize his potential so when he goes out and plays, he plays free."
I think Wilson makes a pretty good argument for why Murray can have a lot of success in a Titans uniform and put up some big numbers in 2024.
He's the team's top inside linebacker at the moment, and a defense that wants to play fast, physical, and downhill should play to his strengths. If the Titans are strong up front alongside physical cornerbacks that excel in press coverage like Sneed and Awuzie, Murray's just will be a lot easier.
All of that is true...and it's how we know Murray won't start with the green dot on his helmet. If the defensive coordinator's goal is to have a player cutting it loose and thinking less, you probably don't want him communicating with the sideline during games.
That's okay. Murray doesn't need to wear the green dot. As GM Ran Carthon pointed out in a recent press conference, it doesn't necessarily even need to be an inside linebacker (although it would be ideal). I think we could see a veteran like Amani Hooker assume that responsibility to open the 2024 season.
But it is ultimately worth noting that as of now, the Titans have no idea who is going to step up into that position. It could be a role they are looking to fill before training camp opens.
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