Titans Searching For Answers To Fix Early-Season Pass Rush Issues

The Tennessee Titans have struggled to generate consistent pressure through the first two weeks of the NFL season.

With additions like John Franklin-Myers, Jacob Martin, Jermaine Johnson II and first-round pick Keldric Faulk, expectations were high for Tennessee’s pass rush entering the season. So far, the production has not matched those expectations.

That raises a simple question: How can the Titans fix their pass-rush issues?

First, it starts with identifying the problem.

Tennessee failed to record a sack in Week 1 against the New York Jets and managed just nine pressures. The defense showed improvement against the Philadelphia Eagles, recording three sacks and more than 13 pressures, but consistency remains an issue.

The biggest problem has been Tennessee’s inability to generate pressure with only four pass rushers.

The Titans’ non-blitz pressure rate sits around 25%, which places them near the lower end of the league average. Their overall pressure rate is 23.1%, approximately eight percentage points below the league average.

Another factor is the secondary.

Tennessee’s pass defense has struggled through the first two games and ranks near the bottom of the league in several categories. The secondary has had difficulty staying attached to receivers long enough for the pass rush to finish plays.

Whether that is a personnel issue, a schematic issue or a combination of both, there are adjustments Tennessee can make.

One possible solution became evident during the second half against Philadelphia.

The Titans sent additional pressure more frequently and consistently forced Jalen Hurts off his spot. The adjustment worked, as Tennessee held the Eagles to just 41 yards in the second half before Philadelphia’s final drive.

That performance suggests the Titans may need to lean more heavily on the blitz while the defensive front continues to find it’s footing.

Still, generating pressure is only part of the equation. Tennessee has to turn those pressures into sacks.

John Franklin-Myers echoed that sentiment when discussing the defense’s approach.

“It starts with getting him off the spot, and then we have to chase him, and effort is our biggest friend,” Franklin-Myers said.

That effort showed against Hurts.

“In a given play, there are a thousand things that can happen,” Franklin-Myers continued. “As I do my job and the guys behind me do their job and the play breaks, it’s like the ball is snapped again.”

That mentality may be something Tennessee has to rely on while searching for more consistent production off the edge.

The challenge does not get any easier.

The Titans will face one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the league, Lamar Jackson, in two weeks. Discipline, pursuit and effort will be crucial if Tennessee wants to prevent him from extending plays with their legs.

The secondary also has to do its part.

If Tennessee can tighten its coverage on the back end and give the pass rush another second to reach the quarterback, the defense could begin turning pressures into sacks.

The pieces are there. Now the Titans have to find a way to put them together.