Titans Lose Linebacker David Long to the Miami Dolphins

The Tennessee Titans lost another piece from their 2022 roster as linebacker David Long signs with the Miami Dolphins in free agency.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans will see another of their players leave in free agency as linebacker David Long will join the Miami Dolphins on a two-year deal. Long spent his last four seasons with the Titans after being drafted in the sxith round in 2019.

Long got a two-year contract from the Miami Dolphins for $11 million. A surprising number after some contract experts projected Long to get nearly $10 million per season or more. It is also surprising the Titans didn’t bring Long back at that contract price as the Titans’ linebacker group is rather thin.

Long played four seasons with the Titans and played in 50 games. That may be one of the main reasons the Titans decided to let Long leave. Long had missed 12 games over the past two seasons. However, when Long was on the field, he was a fantastic player. Long was also an emotional leader for the defense.

Long put up 230 combined tackles, 15 tackles for loss and four interceptions in his 50 games. Long assumed a starting role in 2021 and filled the role admirably. It is obvious though that the Titans are prioritizing durability and Long’s recent injuries outweighed his play.

As mentioned above, this leaves a Titans’ linebacker core that was already thin, even thinner. Long was the only linebacker with starting-level talent on the roster. The Titans currently have third-year player Monty Rice who has been a backup so far in his career. Outside of that, the Titans have second-year players in Jack Gibbens and Chance Campbell. Campbell did not play for the Titans due to injury last season and Gibbens had limited snaps late in the season. Gibbens was an undrafted free agent and Campbell was a sixth-round pick.

To summarize, the Titans are in desperate need of a linebacker now. They have two starting linebacker roles that must be filled. With only six draft picks and the unknown of a rookie, the Titans will certainly have to spend free agent money on linebacker at this point, so stayed tuned.

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