Titans Film Room: LB Jack Gibbens Has Been a Fantastic Early Surprise

Tennessee Titans linebacker Jack Gibbens has gone from undrafted free agent to starter in just two seasons and you can see why on tape. Gibbens showed it all against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4.

The Tennessee Titans made a lot of changes this offseason and one of the positions that saw the most change was linebacker. Despite all the movement and new faces, one holdover from the position was able to grab one of two starting spots, it just wasn't who most expected.

Through training camp third-year linebacker Monty Rice was considered the favorite to start next to free agent signing Azeez Al-Shaair, but any time head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about the open starting spot, he would always mention Rice and second-year undrafted linebacker Jack Gibbens.

Flash forward to Week 5 of the NFL season and Gibbens has not only started the first four games, but he has excelled. Gibbens has been as consistent as possible and it shows on the film or in the data.

Out of linebackers who have played at least 60 snaps this year, Gibbens is the fifth-highest graded linebacker per Pro Football Focus. Using the same qualifier, Gibbens is the ninth-highest graded backer in coverage as well. Where he really shines.

Adjusted for their assignment/role in the scheme, here are the top 12 coverage LBs in Successful Coverage (SCOE) so far this season pic.twitter.com/kvFRrgaNz4

— Jrfortgang (@throwthedamball) October 5, 2023

In Week 4, we saw Gibbens routinely flash in coverage as a middle man in cover 2 concepts. Gibbens was running with vertical threats and matching up with receivers over the middle of the field like Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd.

One thing Vrabel raved about in the preseason was Gibbens's length, at 6-foot-3 Gibbens has long arms and can use those in coverage. Especially against the modern RPO attack NFL offenses are running. Gibbens got his hands up against a Bengals RPO and deflected a pass, his long arms collapsing the throwing window.

In run defense, Gibbens uses that length to get off of blocks from offensive linemen. He can keep them off his body and then disengage to make the tackle. We saw several plays against the Bengals where Gibbens simply beat the block coming for him. 

Gibbens also has a knack of knowing the right thing to do and being consistent in his assignment. Something that is not a surprise to hear when you consider he went from undrafted to starter. Gibbens was holding down his gap, driving the back to his teammates.

Gibbens even got his defensive line, including Jeffery Simmons and Teair Tart, lined up properly on a play the Titans stopped short. It was a good representation of what Gibbens brings to the table. 

It is early in the season and in Gibben's career, but if he can keep it up, the Titans may have found a hidden gem to hold down the middle of the defense for years to come. "Gibby" as he is affectionately called, has earned that optimism.

Related Titans Stories

• HENRY DOMINATES COLTS: The Tennessee Titans have gotten plenty of fantastic performances from star running back Derrick Henry, especially against the Indianapolis Colts, but they will need another to get their first road win of the season. CLICK HERE
• RED ZONE CONCERNS: The Tennessee Titans will take on quarterback Anthony Richardson for the first time when they see the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The explosive rookie passer presents a difficult task near the goal line. CLICK HERE
• TANNEHILL THROWING BOMBS: Despite a poor showing in Week 3, the Tennessee Titans' offense has looked improved from what we saw in 2022. A lot of that difference comes from Ryan Tannehill challenging defenses vertically in a way we haven't seen since 2019. CLICK HERE
• WEEK 5 POWER RANKINGS: The Tennessee Titans got a needed win against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4 that led to them rising in the Week 5 power rankings, but only back into the middle of the pack. CLICK HERE