NASHVILLE, Tenn. – When we discuss the Titans’ needs, we tag positions. A quarterback has moved to the head of a list that includes an edge rusher, right tackle, receiver and several other spots.
 
However, as the Titans look to fill positions on the depth chart, they need to be trait-shopping, not just for size and speed.
 
The 2024 Titans are bad for many reasons, but one of them has been their severe lack of leadership.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, talks with Tennessee Titans center Kevin Mawae (68) before the start of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/John Russell)
The Titans are in dire need of leadership akin to what Kevin Mawae brought from 2006-09, a tall order/ ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nothing is likely to match the Titans’ 2006 free agent class, where eventual Hall of Famer Kevin Mawae walked through the door and gave the team all the leadership qualities it could want. That class, signed by Floyd Reese in his final season as GM, also included David Thornton and Chris Hope. They were not Mawae-level leaders, but they were very good ones.
 
These Titans need a similar infusion, but players of that quality who possess such leadership qualities become available much less frequently nearly 20 years later. Teams need to grow them from people they draft, and the Titans' draft record hasn’t allowed for much of that.

Login or signup to view the full article

Membership includes access to everything on the site – articles, videos and podcasts as well as additional analysis from Mike Herndon and Blake Beddingfield. You’ll be notified of private broadcast sessions, have a spot on a private Facebook page where we can discuss everything, get priority placement in mailbag posts and enjoy a 5 percent discount from Tennessee Tickets.

Cron Job Starts