Protection issues forcing Titans to have ‘second thoughts’ about downfield plays

It’s no secret that Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been under heavy duress so far this season.

Tennessee is entering Week 4 tied with the Chicago Bears by allowing the second-most most sacks, averaging a dismal 4.3 sacks per game through three contests.

In total, Tannehill has been brought down behind the line of scrimmage a whopping 13 times. Needless to say, that’s not good enough at all.

Tennessee’s inability to protect its quarterback has unsurprisingly produced a negative effect on the entire offense. One area that’s been impacted in particular has been the team’s inability to produce big plays.

Tannehill touched on this problem during Wednesday’s press conference.

“It makes it tough,” said Tannehill. “If you’re having trouble getting quick passes off, then it makes you have second thoughts about calling your long-developing stuff and getting the ball down the field.

“So, we definitely want to do a better job of protecting ourselves and being able to really expand things and get the ball spread across the field, but in order to do that, you got to have a little bit of time to make it happen.”

Ryan Tannehill says the issues in pass protection have made the #Titans “think twice” about calling long developing routes.

OL issues make it hard to expand a playbook. pic.twitter.com/1UngRiZrqc

— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) September 27, 2023

Everything Tannehill said is on point.

The offense is never going to unlock itself if the protection upfront is as bad as it’s been, especially on the blindside. The Texas A&M product isn’t perfect by any means, but right now he’s being setup for failure.

I don’t care how talented a signal-caller is. When his biggest liability is coming from the blindside, it’s almost always going to result in a panicky quarterback.

In order for Tennessee to fully unlock its offense, the team has to figure out a solution to this major problem that simply cannot be ignored much longer.

Another topic Tannehill discussed was his chemistry with second-year wide receiver, Treylon Burks, who has struggled with drops this year on top of a lack of production outside of one game.

The veteran quarterback reaffirmed his confidence level in Burks.

#Titans QB Ryan Tannehill said he’s not concerned with chemistry with WR Treylon Burks. Said the two are working, remain optimistic. … The more we can get the ball in his hands, the better

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 27, 2023

Ironically, the pair’s biggest moment of the young season came on a big play where Tannehill hit Burks on a 70-yard bomb to ignite the Titans’ offense during the Week 2 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Unfortunately, that big gain has been more of an anomaly rather than the usual output between the two.