The Tennessee Titans have their new starting center, and his name is Austin Schlottmann. When he isn’t busy watching videos of his baby daughter sent by his wife or being a better golfer than I am, he’s preparing to keep Cam Ward upright on Sundays. There’s no more “competition” to talk of here, at least not in reality. He’s got the job. But, respectfully, who is this guy?

Fans wanted a big-name free agent signing after the team moved on from Lloyd Cushenberry this offseason, but the Titans went a different direction, betting on the veteran journeyman who already knew the system. Since then, Schlottmann is one of the players on this team I’ve gotten the most questions about. Why did Mike Borgonzi choose him? What makes him the right man for the job? What’s a reasonable expectation from Tennessee’s new ‘quarterback’ of the offensive line?

I sat down with Schlottmann at training camp to learn more about the 9th-year pro, his path from undrafted free agent to starting center, and how he’s building a relationship with quarterback Cam Ward.

Why the Titans believe in Schlottmann

Tennessee had options in free agency, and every fan penciled in the splashiest name available. Instead, the front office went with Schlottmann, and there are some understandable reasons why.

Familiarity with the system tops the list. Schlottmann has spent two years learning offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s scheme, which he described as “pretty complex” with a heavy burden on the center.

“Being in it for two years, I really got it down pretty well,” Schlottmann said. “Working with Carm (Bricillo), working with (Daboll), just working with everybody, dialing in the run game, the protections. I think knowing that, and then I played well last year. I got a few opportunities. I didn’t get to play the whole season, but when I was out there, I played well and did my job.”

Schlottmann started four games last season for the Giants, logging the most snaps of his career (362). He played against quality competition and put good tape out there, logging a career best PFF overall grade (70.8, 10th in NFL) and pass blocking grade (77.0, 4th in NFL). In those four starts, he allowed 3 pressures, 0 sacks, and 0 hits.

The mental side of the position is where he believes he’s made the biggest leap. And that’s where your center has to be his best.

Directing the five offensive linemen, the tight ends, and the running backs while helping the quarterback process protections requires a level of command that only comes with experience. “You want somebody you trust” at center, Schlottmann said, and the Titans trust what he’s shown them over the past two years in this system.

Building chemistry with Cam Ward

Schlottmann and Ward have lockers right next to each other, and the two have already started building the kind of relationship this offense will need to function. Schlottmann told me he’s loved working with Ward so far and said he’s been impressed by how quickly the young quarterback is picking up the offense. Cam is coming to him with specific protection questions, working through how the line should handle certain looks and trusting each other to make adjustments on the fly.

“It’s really being on the same page,” he explained. “He trusts me to get it set, and then if he needs to make a change, he makes a change. And I can, from what we’ve done in the meeting room, anticipate that. Like, hey guys, he’s probably going to do this. How do we get it done? It’s quick.”

That kind of chemistry takes time, and Schlottmann acknowledged it’s still a work in progress. But he said he feels things clicking more every day. As training camp progresses and the defensive looks get more complex, that foundation will be tested. Schlottmann pointed to a defense like the Vikings as an example of what they’ll eventually face: a dozen different looks on third down with defenders crowding the line of scrimmage. The work they’re putting in now is preparation for those moments.

Carmen Bricillo’s impact on the offensive line room

Schlottmann also spoke highly of offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, whose teaching style has purportedly made a noticeable difference in the room. The fundamental emphasis under Bricillo is scheme comprehension and eliminating negative plays. Their number one goal is painted on the wall of their meeting room: hat on a hat. That means every blocker going to the right person and doing the right thing on every rep. Because all it takes is one person’s mistake to ruin the rest of a perfect play.

“He’s huge on making sure that we understand why we’re doing this, how it’s going to look, how the defense is going to respond,” Schlottman said. “It gives you confidence going out there. We hear a play call, we know exactly what this looks like. We know exactly how to block.”

The meetings are detailed and dialed in, but Bricillo also fosters the kind of camaraderie that offensive line rooms need to function. Schlottmann emphasized that enjoying being around each other translates to trust on the field when things get weird.

Getting to know Austin Schlottmann

Beyond football, Schlottmann is a new dad. He and his wife, who live in Fort Worth, Texas, welcomed their first child, a baby girl, earlier this spring. She’ll be four months old soon, and Schlottmann’s face lit up talking about the videos his wife sends from back home of their daughter giggling for the first time.

He’s also a serious golfer with a 6.5 handicap. Fatherhood has predictably cut into his rounds, but he’s not complaining.

Schlottmann’s path from undrafted free agent in Denver back in 2018 to starting center for the Titans is the kind of story that doesn’t get told enough. He always believed he could start in this league. Now he gets the chance to prove it, and everything about his preparation suggests he’s ready for it. The Titans desperately need him to be.