Titans Coach Mike Vrabel Doesn't Close Door on Offensive Line Changes, Even if Unlikely

With the Tennessee Titans giving up 13 sacks in their first three games, it is fair to wonder if changes need to happen on the offensive line. That is something Mike Vrabel doesn't seem likely to do, but Vrabel didn't eliminate it as a possibility either.

The Tennessee Titans may have a new playbook, new players and a new play-caller, but everything we saw from them in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns looked all too familiar. Most of the issues stem from a lack of ability to protect the quarterback, which is obvious from the Titans having the second-most sacks allowed in the NFL with 13.

Of course the immediate thought would be to make changes where you are struggling most and that spot is resoundingly left tackle. Free agent signing Andre Dillard has been starting in the left tackle spot and has given up the most sacks of any offensive tackle in the NFL with six. Double the second-most allowed.

Will we actually see any change though? Titans head coach Mike Vrabel's demeanor didn't suggest he was ready to make immediate changes, but when asked the question on Monday, he didn't rule it out either.

"We’ll continue to look and see what’s best and where guys go," Vrabel said. "But as it stands here right now today, I don’t see something changing until we have some more time to visit on it tomorrow and see who’s available, see who’s healthy and try to find a way to beat the Bengals."

One of the key pieces of this answer that we need to focus on is, "see who's healthy," because that could lead us to the changes that make sense. Rookie left guard Peter Skoronski has missed the last two games and if he is back for Week 4, the Titans would have a real option.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) rushes against Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Dillon Radunz (75) as quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) looks to pass during the second half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)

If the Titans wanted to bench Dillard and give someone else a shot, third-year player Dillon Radunz would make a lot of sense, but Radunz has been filling in for Skoronski, so Skoronski would need to return for the move to be possible.

Radunz. was drafted as a left tackle out of North Dakota State in 2021. The second-rounder has been used more at guard than tackle in his career. He has made two starts at tackle while making four as a guard.

Radunz has had struggles, but in a game against the San Francisco 49ers in primetime in his rookie year, Radunz filled in at left tackle for the first time. Routinely going up against Nick Bosa in that game, Radunz held his own.

The second start came in 2022 against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15. The Titans' offense had been sabotaged by the play of left tackle Dennis Daley all season. Radunz finally got his shot to start at his natural position, gave up zero pressures in 15 snaps and then tore his ACL.

We saw Radunz return his year against the same team that he was injured against and he had a nice debut. Radunz didn't play as well against the Browns, but no one did on the Titans' offense. It shouldn't eliminate Radunz from getting another shot at the position.

You could contend that Skoronski should be given the shot at left tackle as he played there in college as well, but the Titans seem intent on letting him play guard. Dillard's struggles may ultimately change that thinking, but Radunz seems like the more likely replacement option as of now.

Related stories on Titans-Browns

• WEEK 3 SNAP COUNTS: The Tennessee Titans took a Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns in embarrassing fashion and here is how the snaps were distributed on offense and defense during the beatdown. CLICK HERE
• WEEK 3 OFFENSIVE GRADES: The Tennessee Titans offense got beatdown by the Cleveland Browns defense on Sunday, so it is no surprise that Titans had low marks on the offensive player grades from PFF in Week 3. CLICK HERE
• DRIVE CHART: The Tennessee Titans offense faced a tough Cleveland Browns defense in Week 3 and here is recap of every drive of the night as the Titans lost by a score of 27-3. CLICK HERE
• LIVE BLOG: Relive all the game action as it played out in real time during Sunday's game between the Titans and Browns in Cleveland. CLICK HERE