Chiefs should be all-in on soon-to-be-released Titans DT Teair Tart
It's pretty rare to get nearly a 90-day jump start on the upcoming free agency period, but that's exactly what the Kansas City Chiefs can do after another AFC team's latest roster move. If he's learned anything from his past experiences, Brett Veach should absolutely jump at this opportunity. On Friday afternoon, Tennessee Titans beat […]
It's pretty rare to get nearly a 90-day jump start on the upcoming free agency period, but that's exactly what the Kansas City Chiefs can do after another AFC team's latest roster move. If he's learned anything from his past experiences, Brett Veach should absolutely jump at this opportunity.
On Friday afternoon, Tennessee Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky reported that the team plans to part ways with DT Teair Tart. Kuharsky says that Tart has been unhappy with his contract situation (a restricted free agent deal) and the team has been unhappy with Tart's effort levels. Those two factors seem to be leading to the upcoming split.
Tart, 26, was an undrafted free agent acquisition by the Titans out of Florida International University in 2020. In 45 career games over the last four seasons, Tart has 76 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception, seven passes batted a forced fumble, and 41 total pressures.
Why the Chiefs must seriously consider adding Tart:
Tart obviously won't solve the biggest problem plaguing the Chiefs right now, but he could solve the other prevalent issue.
Flashback to 2019, the Chiefs made two midseason additions on the defensive side of the ball that helped propel that team to the Super Bowl. One of those additions was DT Mike Pennel, who helped jolt a porous run defense to a respectable level. Now, the situation is hardly the same from a defensive standpoint this year, but if you don't think this run defense can't use some new blood, you're not paying close enough attention.
The Chiefs currently rank 20th in rushing defense through 14 weeks of the 2023 NFL season. They allow 115 rushing yards per game on average and they've allowed eight rushing touchdowns so far this season.
There's also the future to be concerned about at this particular position.
As things currently stand, the Chiefs have four defensive tackles (Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Tershawn Wharton, and Matt Dickerson) who are slated to hit free agency in 2024. They just lost a 2023 draft pick, Keondre Coburn, for the second time this season. Ironically, that was directly related to the Titans' decision on Tart. The only defensive tackle under contract for 2024 in K.C. is trade acquisition Neil Farrell Jr., who inexplicably hasn't played a single snap this season.
Tart is seeking long-term commitment and a bigger annual amount than the $4.3 million he scored on his restricted free agent deal with the Titans this season. That's doable for Kansas City, and adding him now could be just the move they need to propel the unit to Super Bowl-caliber.
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