2021 Tennessee Titans season

The 2021 season is the Tennessee Titans' 52nd season in the National Football League, their 62nd overall, their 25th in the state of Tennessee, and their fourth under head coach Mike Vrabel.

2021 Tennessee Titans season
OwnerKSA Industries
Head coachMike Vrabel
General managerJon Robinson
Home fieldNissan Stadium
Results
Record9–4
Division place1st AFC South
Uniform

Offseason

Coaching changes

On January 15, 2021, Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was hired by the Atlanta Falcons to be their head coach after Smith helped the Titans reach franchise-high offensive production in 2020.[1][2] Smith had been the Titans offensive coordinator for the previous two seasons and had been with the team since 2011. On January 29, 2021, tight ends coach Todd Downing was promoted to offensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen was promoted to defensive coordinator.[3] Bowen had been the de facto defensive coordinator in 2020, but his defense was ranked 30th in sacks and 28th in yards allowed per game.[4]

Reserve/future free agent contracts
Player Position
Paul AdamsT
Davin BellamyLB
Rashard DavisWR
Parker HesseTE
Cody HollisterWR
Tommy HudsonTE
Jan JohnsonLB
Brandon KempT
Mason KinseyWR
DeShone KizerQB
Daylon MackDL
Tucker McCannK
Daniel MunyerC
Nate OrchardDE
Matt OrzechLS
Jared PinkneyTE
Chester RogersWR
Tuzar SkipperLB
Maurice SmithDB

The Titans signed 14 players to futures contracts on January 11, 2021.[5] Tight end Jared Pinkney was signed to a futures contract later on January 13, 2021.[6] Linebacker Davin Bellamy and defensive lineman Daylon Mack were signed to futures contacts the next day on January 14, 2021.[7] Wide receiver Mason Kinsey was signed to a futures contract on January 21, 2021.[8] Finally, defensive back Maurice Smith was signed to a futures contract on February 1, 2021.[9]

Departures
Position Player Date Released/Waived
CBMalcolm ButlerMarch 10, 2021
WRAdam HumphriesFebruary 25, 2021
CBChristopher MiltonFebruary 25, 2021
SSKenny VaccaroMarch 10, 2021

Draft
Main article: 2021 NFL Draft
2021 Tennessee Titans Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
122 Caleb FarleyCBVirginia Tech
253 Dillon RadunzOTNorth Dakota State
392 Monty RiceLBGeorgia
3*100 Elijah MoldenCBWashington
4109 Dez FitzpatrickWRLouisville
135 Rashad WeaverDEPittsburgh
6 205 Racey McMathWRLSU
215 Brady BreezeSOregon

Pre-draft trades

2021 Tennessee Titans Draft Day Trades
Draft pick year Round Overall Team Received
2021385to Green Bay PackersReceived Green Bay's 2021 third-round selection (No. 92 overall) and fourth-round selection (No. 135 overall).[15]
20214126to Carolina PanthersReceived Carolina's 2021 fourth-round selection (No. 109 overall).[15]
20215166
20217232

Undrafted free agents
2021 Tennessee Titans Undrafted Free Agents
Name Position School
Blake Haubeil K Ohio State
Chandon Herring OL BYU
Naquan Jones DL Michigan State
Cole Banwart OL Iowa
Tory Carter FB LSU
Miller Forristall TE Alabama
Briley Moore TE Kansas State
Justus Reed OLB Virginia Tech
Mekhi Sargent RB Iowa
James Smith P Cincinnati

Source:[16]

Made regular season roster

Staff
Tennessee Titans staff
Front office
  • Owner – KSA Industries
  • Controlling owner – Amy Adams Strunk
  • President/CEO – Burke Nihill
  • Executive vice president/general manager – Jon Robinson
  • Vice president of football administration – Vin Marino
  • Vice president of player personnel – Ryan Cowden
  • Director of player personnel – Monti Ossenfort
  • Director of college scouting – Jon Salge
  • Director of pro scouting – Brian Gardner
  • Assistant director of pro scouting – Kevin Turks
  • Pro scout – Blaise Taylor
  • College scout – Matt Miller
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
  
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
  • Special teams coordinator – Craig Aukerman
  • Assistant special teams – Matt Edwards
Strength and conditioning
  • Strength and conditioning – Frank Piraino
  • Strength and conditioning assistant – Brian Bell
  • Strength and conditioning assistant – Mondary Gee

→ Coaching staff
→ Management
→ More NFL staffs

AFC East
BUF
MIA
NE
NYJ
North
BAL
CIN
CLE
PIT
South
HOU
IND
JAX
TEN
West
DEN
KC
LV
LAC
NFC East
DAL
NYG
PHI
WAS
North
CHI
DET
GB
MIN
South
ATL
CAR
NO
TB
West
ARI
LAR
SF
SEA

Current roster
Tennessee Titans roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists

Practice squad


Rookies in italics

Roster updated December 15, 2021

52 active, 17 inactive, 15 practice squad (+1 exempt)

→ AFC rosters → NFC rosters

Team captains

Source:[17]

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 13 at Atlanta Falcons W 23–3 1–0 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
2 August 21 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 34–3 2–0 Raymond James Stadium Recap
3 August 28 Chicago Bears L 27–24 2–1 Nissan Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule

The Titans' 2021 schedule was announced on May 12.

Week Date Time (CT) Opponent Result Record Venue TV Recap
1 September 12 12:00 p.m. Arizona Cardinals L 13–38 0–1 Nissan Stadium CBS Recap
2 September 19 3:25 p.m. at Seattle Seahawks W 33–30 (OT) 1–1 Lumen Field CBS Recap
3 September 26 12:00 p.m. Indianapolis Colts W 25–16 2–1 Nissan Stadium CBS Recap
4 October 3 12:00 p.m. at New York Jets L 24–27 (OT) 2–2 MetLife Stadium CBS Recap
5 October 10 12:00 p.m. at Jacksonville Jaguars W 37–19 3–2 TIAA Bank Field CBS Recap
6 October 18 7:15 p.m. Buffalo Bills W 34–31 4–2 Nissan Stadium ESPN Recap
7 October 24 12:00 p.m. Kansas City Chiefs W 27–3 5–2 Nissan Stadium CBS Recap
8 October 31 12:00 p.m. at Indianapolis Colts W 34–31 (OT) 6–2 Lucas Oil Stadium CBS Recap
9 November 7 7:20 p.m. at Los Angeles Rams W 28–16 7–2 SoFi Stadium NBC Recap
10 November 14 12:00 p.m. New Orleans Saints W 23–21 8–2 Nissan Stadium CBS Recap
11 November 21 12:00 p.m. Houston Texans L 13–22 8–3 Nissan Stadium CBS Recap
12 November 28 12:00 p.m. at New England Patriots L 13–36 8–4 Gillette Stadium CBS Recap
13 Bye
14 December 12 12:00 p.m. Jacksonville Jaguars W 20–0 9–4 Nissan Stadium CBS Recap
15 December 19 12:00 p.m. at Pittsburgh Steelers Heinz Field CBS
16 December 23 7:20 p.m. San Francisco 49ers Nissan Stadium NFLN
17 January 2 12:00 p.m. Miami Dolphins Nissan Stadium CBS
18 January 9 12:00 p.m. at Houston Texans NRG Stadium CBS

Notes:

  • Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
  • Networks and times in Weeks 17 and 18 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.
  • Week 18 is subject to being flexed to Saturday, January 8.

Week 1: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 1: Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cardinals 10 14 14038
Titans 0 6 7013

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

The Titans began 0–1 for the first time since 2018.

Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 2: Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Titans 3 6 714333
Seahawks 3 21 06030

at Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington

Game information

Week 3: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 3: Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Colts 0 10 3316
Titans 7 7 01125

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: September 26
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 67,914
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton and Michael Grady
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 4: at New York Jets
Week 4: Tennessee Titans at New York Jets – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Titans 3 6 015024
Jets 0 7 314327

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

Week 5: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 5: Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Titans 7 17 7637
Jaguars 6 7 0619

at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: October 10
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 78 °F (26 °C)
  • Game attendance: 58,282
  • Referee: Alex Kemp
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tom McCarthy and Tiki Barber
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 6: Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 3 17 11031
Titans 0 17 71034

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

The Titans edged the Bills 34-31, winning on a fourth down stop of Bills quarterback Josh Allen at their 3-yard line in the final thirty seconds. The game lead changed seven times as Derrick Henry rushed for three touchdowns and 143 yards; he also caught two passes for thirteen yards. Ryan Tannehill ran in a touchdown and completed eighteen passes for 216 yards; he completed fourteen of his last seventeen passes after starting with just four of his first twelve.

Week 7: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week 7: Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chiefs 0 0 303
Titans 14 13 0027

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

This was the 55th career meeting between the two teams since founders Bud Adams and Lamar Hunt co-founded the American Football League but only the fifth meeting in Tennessee. It was also the twelfth meeting since they were the Houston Oilers. With the win the Titans moved to a 9-2 lifetime record against Chiefs coach Andy Reid.

Week 8: at Indianapolis Colts
Week 8: Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Titans 0 14 710334
Colts 14 3 77031

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

The Titans rallied to the overtime win and only their third sweep of the Colts since formation of the AFC South. But running back Derrick Henry was lost for at least part of the season with a foot injury that necessitated surgery and also the signing of Adrian Peterson.

Week 9: at Los Angeles Rams
Week 9: Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Titans 0 21 0728
Rams 3 0 31016

at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

Game information

In their first game without Henry, the Titans accounted for just 194 total yards on offense, but won due to a strong performance by their defense, which set up several short fields and intercepted Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford on two consecutive plays in the second quarter, with the second pick being returned for a touchdown.[18]

Week 10: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week 10: New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Saints 0 6 6921
Titans 3 10 7323

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: November 14
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 55 °F (13 °C)
  • Game attendance: 69,414
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
  • Recap, GameBook
Game information

Week 11: vs. Houston Texans
Week 11: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 3 9 7322
Titans 0 0 6713

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: November 21
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 56 °F (13 °C)
  • Game attendance: 67,395
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton, and Sherree Burruss
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 12: at New England Patriots
Week 12: Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Titans 0 13 0013
Patriots 7 9 101036

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: November 28
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 37 °F (3 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,878
  • Referee: Alex Kemp
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 14: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 14: Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Jaguars 0 0 000
Titans 7 3 7320

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: December 12
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 44 °F (7 °C)
  • Game attendance: 67,808
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Jay Feely
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 15: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 15: Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Titans 0 0 000
Steelers 0 0 000

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Division
AFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Tennessee Titans 9 4 0 .692 4–1 6–3 324 290 W1
Indianapolis Colts 7 6 0 .538 3–2 6–3 371 283 W1
Houston Texans † 2 11 0 .154 2–2 2–7 177 356 L3
Jacksonville Jaguars † 2 11 0 .154 0–4 2–6 180 340 L5

Conference
AFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] New England Patriots East 9 4 0 .692 3–1 7–1 .479 .427 W7
2[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2] Tennessee Titans South 9 4 0 .692 4–1 6–3 .462 .462 W1
3[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2] Kansas City Chiefs West 9 4 0 .692 3–1 4–4 .550 .521 W6
4 Baltimore Ravens North 8 5 0 .615 1–3 5–5 .485 .476 L2
Wild cards
5 Los Angeles Chargers West 8 5 0 .615 2–1 5–3 .536 .495 W2
6[lower-alpha 3] Indianapolis Colts South 7 6 0 .538 3–2 6–3 .467 .319 W1
7[lower-alpha 3] Buffalo Bills East 7 6 0 .538 3–1 5–5 .482 .418 L1
In the hunt
8[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 5] Cleveland Browns North 7 6 0 .538 2–2 4–5 .509 .390 W1
9[lower-alpha 5][lower-alpha 6] Cincinnati Bengals North 7 6 0 .538 3–1 5–3 .447 .401 L2
10[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 6] Denver Broncos West 7 6 0 .538 1–2 3–5 .450 .368 W1
11 Pittsburgh Steelers North 6 6 1 .500 2–2 4–4 .494 .487 L1
12[lower-alpha 7] Las Vegas Raiders West 6 7 0 .462 1–3 4–4 .530 .545 L2
13[lower-alpha 7] Miami Dolphins East 6 7 0 .462 2–2 4–5 .450 .397 W5
Eliminated from postseason contention
14 New York Jets East 3 10 0 .231 0–4 3–6 .509 .462 L1
15[lower-alpha 8] Houston Texans South 2 11 0 .154 2–2 2–7 .509 .423 L3
16[lower-alpha 8] Jacksonville Jaguars South 2 11 0 .154 0–4 2–6 .538 .500 L5
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 9]
  1. New England wins tiebreaker over Kansas City and Tennessee based on conference record.
  2. Tennessee wins tiebreaker over Kansas City based on head-to-head victory.
  3. Indianapolis, Buffalo, Cleveland and Denver are rank based on conference record. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Cincinnati (see below).
  4. Cleveland win tiebreaker over Denver based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Cincinnati (see below).
  5. Cleveland win tiebreaker over Cincinnati based on head-to-head victory.
  6. Cincinnati win tiebreaker over Denver based on conference record.
  7. Las Vegas wins tiebreaker over Miami based on head-to-head victory.
  8. Houston wins tiebreaker over Jacksonville based on head-to-head victory.
  9. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

References
  1. Gordon, Grant (January 15, 2021). "Falcons hire Titans OC Arthur Smith as new head coach". NFL.com. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  2. Wyatt, Jim (January 15, 2021). "Titans Laud Former OC Arthur Smith, who has Been Hired as Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  3. Wyatt, Jim (January 29, 2021). "Titans Promote Todd Downing to OC, Elevate Shane Bowen to DC as Mike Vrabel Sets Staff". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  4. Davenport, Turron (January 29, 2021). "Tennessee Titans promote Shane Bowen, Todd Downing to DC, OC jobs". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  5. Wyatt, Jim (January 11, 2021). "Titans Sign 14 Players to Futures Contracts for 2021". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  6. Wyatt, Jim (January 13, 2021). "Titans Sign Former Vanderbilt TE Jared Pinkney to Futures Contract". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  7. Wyatt, Jim (January 14, 2021). "Titans Sign Two More Players to Futures Contracts". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  8. Wyatt, Jim (January 21, 2021). "Titans Sign WR Mason Kinsey to a Futures Contract". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  9. Wyatt, Jim (February 1, 2021). "Titans Sign DB Maurice Smith to Futures Contract". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  10. "Titans will receive third-round compensatory pick in 2021". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  11. "Unhappy LB Correa traded by Titans to Jaguars". ESPN.com. October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  12. "Chiefs trade up into seventh round, select Tulane CB Thakarius 'BoPete' Keyes". Chiefs Wire. 2020-04-25. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  13. "Titans add secondary help with trade for King". ESPN.com. 2020-11-02. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  14. "Titans trade first-round pick Isaiah Wilson to Dolphins". NFL.com. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  15. "2021 NFL Draft trade tracker: Full details of every move". nfl.com. NFL. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  16. Wyatt, Jim. "Titans Agree to Terms With 10 Undrafted Free Agents". tennesseetitans.com. Tennessee Titans. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  17. Wyatt, Jim (September 8, 2021). "Titans Select Five Captains for 2021 Season". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  18. "Rams vs. Titans score: Tennessee's defense rattles Matthew Stafford, rolls to big 'Sunday Night Football' win". CBSSports.com. 2021-11-08. Retrieved 2021-11-17.
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