Only One Real Position Battle Remains For Titans Entering Training Camp

While there will be some battles for some backup positions, only one real position battle remains to be settled in Titans training camp.

Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

NASHVILLE - Call me crazy, but when it comes to the starting lineup for the Tennessee Titans in 2023, almost every starting role is set, and there should be little intrigue regarding the top eleven on each side of the football. 

We know the starting quarterback, running back, tight end, and have a solid grasp on who will be the starting receivers-barring a new addition in the coming weeks- and the offensive line.   

Defensively the starting front and edge rushers are set. There could be some competition at one of the two inside linebacker positions, but little interest exists. In contrast, the corner positions appeared to shake out somewhat during the minicamp, and the safeties were cast in stone.   

As for the specialists, the punter and long snapper have no competition, but who will win the battle between Caleb Shudak and Trey Wolff remains.  

Shudak, and Wolff, Wolff, and Shudak, the two swapped days during the OTAs and then took turns on others during the minicamp. 

Both kickers performed well on days when the media was present, and neither could be called a leader in the competition for the spot. 

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The question remains about how the Titans will handle this battle: Shudak was injured and missed time last season while seeing little action. Meanwhile, Wolff, the rookie, has no game experience. Conventional wisdom among the regular daily media is that the team wants to keep both kickers, with one making their way to the practice squad. 

In a perfect world, that would seem easy, but this is not an ideal world, and putting either on the cut list could lead to them being snapped up by a team needing an upgrade.   

The readily noticeable difference between the two kickers is their size- which doesn't matter much with kickers- where Shudak (5-foot-7) and Wolff (6-foot-4) look like father and son standing next to one another. 

While we don't know what had gone on inside the building or on practice days when the media was not in attendance, this competition could continue to the final cuts that must be made. 

Call me crazy, but this is the only actual battle remaining, and though it might not be as glamorous as a quarterback competition, it's almost as important. 

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