One of the new annual traditions that Tennessee Vols fans least look forward to each spring and summer is the discourse around Josh Heupel’s offense.

Despite the fact that Heupel’s offense has evolved from lightning-fast tempo and wide splits to a slower pace and more condensed formations, there are still folks in the national media who trash it like it’s still 2021.

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell, who spent the last two seasons at Tennessee, silenced some of those critics earlier this spring.

“Everybody knows Tennessee as the run-and-gun,” said Brazzell in May. “Which, they’re right — I’m not gonna sit here and lie. So in 2024, that was a lot of run-n-gun. But this year, if you really watch my film, I’m running damn near every route in the playbook. Every route I’ve ran here, I ran at Tennessee.

“There’s not a route I’ve ran here that I have not [already] ran. So Tennessee is definitely evolving the playbook. They’re getting more pro-style. So yeah, I haven’t really ran a route here that I haven’t run at Tennessee.”

If Brazzell’s comments weren’t enough to shut up the people who constantly throw shade at Tennessee’s offense, then maybe former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young’s comments will help.

Panthers QB Bryce Young comments on Chris Brazzell’s adjustment to the NFL

Young, who is entering his fourth season with the Panthers, was asked this week at OTAs about Brazzell’s adjustment to the NFL.

And his comments suggest that Brazzell is having no issues adjusting to an NFL offense after playing two seasons for the Volunteers.

“Watching his film, you could see the talent,” said Young of Brazzell. “You could see the potential. But I was curious. He did a lot of great things at Tennessee — it’s not a ton that you would think transfers.

“And I think that was just one of the reasons I’ve been so impressed. You would have thought he’d been in a pro style system throughout his whole life. He’s coming in understanding splits, understanding landmarks, understanding route timing, route tempo, where to be at the right time. He’s playing with extension. So I’ve been super impressed with the professionalism [and his] ability to learn stuff. And the ability for everything to translate.”

I think that should probably end any debate about Tennessee’s offense.

Young saw the 2021 and 2022 Tennessee offense up close as a player. He probably hasn’t watched much of the Vols the last couple of seasons while focusing on his role with the Panthers. So it’s understandable that he was “curious” to see how it would translate.

I mean, the former Alabama quarterback essentially had a preconceived notion about Brazzell, which meant the former Vol had to work extra hard to change that perception. And it only took a couple of OTAs for Young to realize that it all translates just fine.

It’s ultimately on the player to perform — regardless of what system they came from. And as Panthers head coach Dave Canales pointed out this week, every player that comes from college these days has to adjust to some extent when they reach the NFL. That’s a byproduct of the transfer portal and college coaches having to simplify systems for brand new rosters each season.

I’m sure there will be some folks out there still trashing the Vols’ offense. But if you’re a Tennessee fan who wants to fight back against that narrative, just point them to Young’s comments.