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What ESPN missed when grading Tennessee Titans offseason moves
Denny Simmons / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK

A majority of the 2024 NFL offseason is in the past. Free agents have new homes, some blockbuster trades have been made, and the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books. 

The window of opportunity to significantly improve a roster and trajectory of an organization is closed. Training camp is around the corner and the regular season will be upon us in no time. 

So naturally, it's a good time to reflect on the moves every team made during the offseason. Seth Walder of ESPN did just that when he recently released a grade for every NFL team's offseason. Here's some of Walder's analysis about the Tennessee Titans and he's missing.

What ESPN said

Walder was not as down on the Titans as many other national media members have been. His grade for Tennessee's offseason? Right in the middle of the pack with a solid B. That was the 16th best mark in the league.

"Even as a Will Levis skeptic, I believe the Titans did the right thing by strengthening their roster this offseason. In the event that Levis breaks out, there's no time to waste -- you have to take advantage of the rookie quarterback window," wrote Walder about the aggressive approach GM Ran Carthon took. 

According Walder, the blockbuster trade for cornerback L'Jarius Sneed was the Titans' biggest move of the offseason. I'd have to agree there. Walder's favorite move the Titans made was the underrated signing of C Lloyd Cushenberry, who "ranked sixth and third in pass block and run block win rate, respectively, among centers last season while playing in Denver." No gripe from me on that one.

On the more critical side, not trading down in the draft was a big blemish on the Titans' offseason in Walder's eyes. Staying put to draft both JC Latham and T'Vondre Sweat instead of gaining future draft capital was less than ideal. 

"More egregiously, the Titans took defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat in Round 2 at pick No. 38 -- one spot before the Rams gave up a fifth-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick to move from 52 to 39. That deal was likely also available to Tennessee," wrote Walder in his column.

What ESPN missed

I won't dispute anything Walder wrote about the Titans offseason. I found it to be very fair, even the criticism, and appreciated his understanding of Tennessee's aggressive approach. 

Even though he doesn't believe in Will Levis, Walder understands that taking advantage of a rookie quarterback contract and getting the answers under center is paramount. It's the key to building any sustained contender in the National Football League. The Titans are chasing after those answers this fall, which has led to a busy offseason.

B is a fair grade. The offseason, while a big improvement from the past, was not without flaws and there are certainly some moves that I'm not sure I fully understand. I would, however, like to shed some light on one aspect of the Titans' offseason that ESPN (and seemingly everybody else) has missed thus far: Coaching changes.

The Titans have a new head coach in Brian Callahan, who comes from an impressive offensive bakcground with the Cincinnati Bengals. Callahan not only brings fresh perspective to Tennessee after years of Mike Vrabel's old school mentality, he also brings an entirely new coaching staff with him that cannot be undersold.

Example A.) Bill Callahan is one of the best offensive line coaches in the league. He has had success pretty much everywhere he has been. Bill Callahan's eye for offensive line talent and ability to coach players up to their potential can solve a problem that has plagued Titans football over the last few years. The drills that Tennessee has been practicing are unlike anything I saw at the facility under Vrabel.

Example B.) Dennard Wilson is one of the hottest names in the league when it comes to rising defensive coaches. He's the new defensive coordinator in Nashville, and he has already won over the locker room. Wilson's defense is going to be fast, physical, and aggressive. The Titans are going to play downhill and use a strong defensive front to free up players in the second level.

The list could go on. But it has been odd to me that everyone grading offseasons seems to be ignoring the offseason coaching carousel and the significant impact it will have on some franchises. 

The vibes around the Titans haven't been this high in a while. The new culture and creativity could give Tennessee a boost on it's own. It's just as, if not more important, than any free agent signings or trades when it comes to the Titans' offseason and the longterm ramifications.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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