The Tennessee Titans' offseason moves have sparked some interesting discussions, particularly regarding their offensive line. Last season, Oli Udoh proved to be a reliable swing tackle, stepping in with 341 snaps either as a sixth blocker in jumbo packages or filling in for JC Latham and Dan Moore Jr. Udoh allowed three sacks and 19 pressures, numbers that reflect solid performance for a backup, according to Pro Football Focus.
However, the Titans seem to be charting a new course. Udoh is now an unrestricted free agent, and the team has opted not to bring him back. Instead, they've signed Austin Deculus, who appears set to take on the role of the No. 3 tackle behind Latham and Moore.
This decision has raised eyebrows. Deculus struggled significantly with the Los Angeles Chargers last season.
If you watched Justin Herbert under constant pressure, Deculus' performance was a notable factor. PFF attributed seven sacks and 37 pressures to him, resulting in a 33.1 pass-blocking grade, making him one of the lowest-rated tackles in protection.
The Titans are no strangers to change, especially with a new coaching staff at the helm. They've let go of decent rotational players like Corey Levin, Sebastian Joseph-Day, and Darrell Baker Jr., replacing them with familiar faces such as Austin Schlottmann, Solomon Thomas, Jordan Elliott, and Joshua Williams.
Deculus' connection to the Titans' current staff might offer some insight. He was part of the New York Jets in 2023 under head coach Robert Saleh and had a stint with the New Orleans Saints in 2024 when Dave Ziegler, now the Titans' assistant general manager, was with the team.
Perhaps offensive coordinator Brian Daboll envisions Deculus as a better fit for his scheme. Yet, given Deculus' past struggles in pass protection, this move seems puzzling.
Most of the Titans' roster adjustments have been upgrades or at least lateral moves in terms of talent. This particular decision, however, feels like a step back, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the rationale.