The Tennessee Titans will have some difficult decisions to make this off-season. After the collapse that they suffered in the second half of the 2022 season, some major changes need to be made.
The Titans were cruising along with a 7-3 record after going into Lambeau Field on Thursday Night Football and defeating the Green Bay Packers. They had control of the AFC South, holding a multi-lead game as every other team in the division had a record under .500. Unfortunately for Tennessee, that was the last time they won during the season.
A season-ending losing streak began in their next game as the Titans ended up losing their last seven games in a row. That led to the Jacksonville Jaguars overtaking them for the division title, leading to a lot of questions needing to be answered this offseason.
Tennessee already began overhauling things as Mike Vrabel’s coaching staff will look a lot different in 2023. There is a chance that the offense looks totally different as well as a new quarterback could be under center.
There have been some rumors floating around that the team is ready to move on from Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill’s numbers were similar in 2022 to the ones he put up in 2021 when the Titans were the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but the team will explore making a change.
If they are able to find a taker for him, that will leave a void at their quarterback position. Malik Willis did not look close to being ready to be a full-time starter after being selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Bringing in some competition for him would make the most sense. Could Trey Lance of the San Francisco 49ers be someone that piques the interest of the Titans? The 49ers have some quarterback questions of their own and could be open to moving the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
If that is the case, the Titans make for a logical landing spot. Their new general manager, Ran Carthon, has spent the last six years with the 49ers. He started as the director of pro personnel from 2017-2020 before spending the last two years as director of player personnel. That means he was part of the group that worked out and selected Lance, so he has more in-depth knowledge about the young quarterback than most teams would.
If the Titans do move on from Tannehill, they will likely receive draft compensation in return. They can flip some of those picks to the 49ers in a trade package for Lance. Tennessee can offer a third and fifth-round pick in exchange for him, but given what San Francisco paid to acquire him, they could ask for more.
Lance hasn’t proven he can be a starting-caliber player in the NFL, so the Titans should be conservative in their offers. The most they should offer is two Day 2 picks, putting a second and third-round pick on the table.
San Francisco may want to try working things out with Lance, but they should keep their options open, especially if they are comfortable turning things over to Brock Purdy long-term. Waiting too long could sap any value that Lance has and result in them getting virtually nothing back in return for him.
The fun-first, smash-mouth style of football that the Titans play would seemingly be a fit for Lance and his skill set. Having Derrick Henry to lean on is ideal for a young quarterback looking to find their way. The team could use some more weapons in the passing game, but Treylon Burks would be one player that Lance could grow and develop with long term.
