Titans lose key defender in free agency
Inside linebacker David Long Jr. is in agreement with the Miami Dolphins on a two-year, $11 million contract.
The Tennessee Titans lost another impact player on Monday evening, this time inside linebacker David long Jr., who has agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins on a two-year, $11 million contract.
Long had his best professional season in 2022, recording 86 tackles, two interceptions, and seven tackles for loss in 12 starts for the Titans. The former West Virginia Mountaineer and sixth-round pick was a key contributor to Tennessee's stout run defense.
The Titans had the best run defense in the NFL last season, holding their opponents to 76.9 rushing yards per game.
But if Long was such a big part of Tennessee's defensive success, why would the Titans let Long walk for just $5.5 million per year?
It's safe to assume that Long's injury history is one reason for the Titans not bringing him back. Long has had hamstring issues and been one of the "repeat offenders" of soft tissues injuries, as Mike Vrabel likes to say.
Long has missed 12 games over the last two season combined.
"We look at soft tissue injuries. We look at those soft tissue injuries of repeat offenders," said Vrabel regarding the Titans' ongoing injury issues. "It doesn't take too hard to look and see that Kristian Fulton and David Long were repeat offenders of soft tissue injuries. They have to figure out a way to train. The game is played at a high speed. Kevin Byard has not pulled a hamstring since we have been here. There is a durability factor to playing professional football that we should not overlook. That is real. There are guys that are durable and there are guys that are not."
Perhaps Vrabel and the Titans have their eyes on another inside linebacker to replace Long. After all, this free agent class is loaded with talented off-ball linebackers.
T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, and Bobby Okereke have already found new homes, but Drue Tranquill, Kyzir White, and countless others remain free agents.
Tennessee has 2021 third-round pick Monty Rice ready to take a step forward in 2023, but they'd still be better off adding a veteran in free agency to replace Long.
Losing Long is tough, but perhaps the grass is greener elsewhere in the linebacker market.
Image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
