Titans Film Room: Tight Ends as Much to Blame as Anyone in Offensive Struggles

The Tennessee Titans offense is experiencing similar struggles to what we saw most of the 2022 season and one of the trends that has continued from last year is the struggles of the tight end room. 

Whether it be Chig Okonkwo, Trevon Wesco or Josh Whyle, the job hasn't been done well to this point. 

We can see it in the traditional statistics, showing the Titans' tight ends averaging 14 yards per game as a unit while dropping two passes. It shows in the player grades with all three of the tight ends being ranked 70th or lower out of 105 eligible tight ends according to Pro Football Focus.

Wesco, with Whyle directly after him, are the two lowest-ranked tight ends in the entire NFL. Again, that is out of 105 eligible tight ends, so it would be fair to say this has to be the worst group in the NFL so far.

It shows on tape as well, where we see Wesco and Okonkwo constantly missing blocks or disrupting the timing of a play. Whyle has only had 22 snaps so far this season, but has looked completely out of place during those limited chances.

To no fault of his own, Whyle even got choked by Myles Garrett after a play against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3. It didn't get called and that might sum up the start of the season for this group. 

Okonkwo had a nice rookie season with 32 catches and 450 yards that showed real promise. He was never expected to be an incredible blocker. but at minimum, he could be a playmaker in the passing game.

Sadly, neither area has gone well and the offense is truly missing the element Okonkwo provided last year. Some of that may be on the coaching, but as you see in the film, he shares some blame.

Wesco might be the bigger disappointment. When signed, the Titans thought they were getting one of the better blocking tight ends in the NFL, but Wesco has struggled especially in pass protection, but in run blocking also.

As pointed out in the film, some of that is a schematic disadvantage that is more on the coaches than him, but Wesco, like Okonkwo, deserves his fair share of blame.

That could be said for every part of the offense though and if the Titans want things to turn around quickly, they will need more than just the tight ends to play better.

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