How Ryan Tannehill's future can improve because of Tim Kelly's past
The Tennessee Titans made it official on Tuesday by announcing the addition of Tim Kelly as he joins the offensive coaching staff as the team’s passing game coordinator. Kelly lands with the Titans after spending eight seasons with the Houston Texans where he most recently served as offensive coordinator from 2019-2021. Prior to serving as […]
The Tennessee Titans made it official on Tuesday by announcing the addition of Tim Kelly as he joins the offensive coaching staff as the team’s passing game coordinator. Kelly lands with the Titans after spending eight seasons with the Houston Texans where he most recently served as offensive coordinator from 2019-2021. Prior to serving as offensive coordinator, Kelly spent time as the Texans’ tight ends coach (2017-18) and offensive quality control coach (2014-15).
Kelly’s hiring comes after the Titans AFC Divisional Round defeat at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals. QB Ryan Tannehill and offensive coordinator Todd Downing have been the target of the vast majority of Titans fans’ ire. Instead of completely moving on from Downing after just one year as OC, Tennessee instead opted to bring another brain into the building.
While in Houston, Kelly had the opportunity to work alongside of quarterbacks Deshaun Watson, Davis Mills, and Tyrod Taylor. In fact, it was in 2020 under Kelly’s guidance when Watson set career highs in passing yards (4,823), passing touchdowns (33), passer rating (112.7), all while tossing a career-low seven interceptions.
In 2020, the Texans’ offense continued the momentum under Kelly as the team set franchise marks in touchdowns (46), redzone efficiency (64.2%), and fewest three-and-outs (24).
After the shakiest season in Tannehill’s tenure as a Titan, the team recognized that some form of change was needed on the offensive side of the ball. While Tannehill and Watson are certainly much different players, they do share a few similar qualities. Like Watson, one of Tannehill’s strengths is in his mobility. Tannehill tied his career high set in 2020 with seven rushing touchdowns this season. Both quarterbacks are also highly touted for their downfield passing abilities which is a category Tannehill struggled mightily in this season.
During his time in Houston, Kelly worked with a number of upper echelon skill players. DeAndre Hopkins, Brandin Cooks, Will Fuller, and Carlos Hyde, who was able to rush for over 1,000 yards under Kelly, are guys who immediately stand out. Working with explosive weapons in Houston should make the transition to the Titans a bit easier as he will now be working with A.J. Brown, Julio Jones, and Derrick Henry.
The development of rookie QB Davis Mills should not go unmentioned either. It could be argued that Mills was the best rookie QB in the class after being selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Mills was able to produce the second-best quarterback rating amongst rookies (88.8) only trailing New England’s Mac Jones. The Titans just might opt to draft a quarterback in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft and having somebody like Kelly to bring them along would be quite an asset.
While Kelly’s hire is not guaranteed to solve all of the Titans’ offensive issues that surfaced in 2021, having another coach in the building with play calling experience is an encouraging start. Kelly is now the fifth former Texans coach on the Titans coaching staff joining head coach Mike Vrabel, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, Pat O’Hara (QB’s), and Anthony Midget (DB’s).
Featured image courtesy of Troy Taormina – USA TODAY Sports
