3 Moves Titans Must Make to Return to Super Bowl Contention

Mike Vrabel and the Tennessee Titans took a No. 6 seed in the playoffs and ran with it, riding powerful running from Derrick Henry and efficient passing from Ryan Tannehill to an AFC Championship game loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. In an extremely winnable division, the Titans are set up to not only win the division, but compete for a championship, should they make these three moves this offseason.

3. Fill Out Their Defensive Coaching Staff

Kerry Coombs left for Ohio State / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The Titans have to replace not only defensive coordinator Dean Pees, who retired, but they also have to create a succession plan for Kerry Coombs. Coombs is a defensive backs mastermind who left to take the defensive coordinator job at Ohio State, now that Jeff Hafley is the head coach at Boston College. Once they get all that sorted out, Tennessee needs to improve a secondary that was in the bottom 10 in yards allowed. Re-signing Logan Ryan would be a nice start, but the Titans need to add at least one more, via either free agency or the draft.

2. Sign Ryan Tannehill to a Two or Three-Year Contract

Ryan Tannehill needs to return to Tennessee / Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

It's amazing what happens when you leave Adam Gase. Freed from coaching incompetence personified, Tannehill led the NFL in passer rating and yards per attempt, while completing 70% of his passes under Vrabel and OC Arthur Smith. Tannehill is in line for a new deal after his excellent season, but the Titans shouldn't give him a record-breaker, as there is a chance that his career-best season was a fluke. Giving him a short-term deal give the Titans a Pro Bowl quarterback, while giving the organization options to part ways with him if he regresses.

1. Back up the Brinks Truck for Derrick Henry

Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry / Peter Aiken/Getty Images

Henry is a free agent after this season, but Jon Robinson wouldn't be able to live with himself if he let the 6-3, 245 pound running back leave. Henry, who led the league in carries, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns in just 15 games, ran for 182 and 195 yards in shocking playoff upsets of the Patriots and Ravens, and his bludgeoning running style has proven to be the driving force behind Tennessee's offense. Give Henry a blank check and run it back for the 2020 season. Or, you know, tag him at a hefty cost. He's worth it.