Titans offensive linemen react to Saahdiq Charles retirement and the open starting job
NASHVILLE – The news of Saahdiq Charles' retirement from football came as a shock to everyone on Tuesday afternoon. Even Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said it "caught him off guard" to hear that the 25-year-old right guard was stepping away from the game. According to what Callahan told Titans media on Wednesday, it […]
NASHVILLE – The news of Saahdiq Charles' retirement from football came as a shock to everyone on Tuesday afternoon.
Even Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said it "caught him off guard" to hear that the 25-year-old right guard was stepping away from the game.
According to what Callahan told Titans media on Wednesday, it doesn't appear like Charles' early retirement was related to any off-field issues. Callahan said it was a decision Charles made that "football was not for him anymore."
Charles was on track to start for the Titans at right guard in 2024. But now the position is up for grabs and the competition is back on. Dillon Radunz, Daniel Brunskill, and Andrew Rupcich are three names to watch. Both Radunz and Rupcich took reps with the starters during a live practice on Wednesday.
Right guard is the talk of the town right now at training camp. I had the chance to speak with both Radunz and Rupcich after practice to get their reactions on Charles' retirement and the opportunity to compete for a starting job.
"It sucks. He was a good teammate," said Radunz when asked about his reaction to the news of Charles retiring. "Obviously, he needs to handle his own stuff and coach can answer more questions on that. [Saahdiq] can answer for himself, but he'll be missed. He was a good room guy, good morale guy, great player."
It sucks hearing that news, but it's the NFL and the nature of the best is next man up. I've got to be able to run with that opportunity," Radunz added. "Obviously it's an opportunity to start and that's what I've been fighting for this camp."
Another candidate for the job is 25-year-old Andrew Rupcich, an alum of Culver-Stockton College that saw action in five games in 2023.
Rupcich tallied 209 snaps at right guard last season, but is trying to show enough improvement to win over the new coaching staff in 2024. Working alongside Bill Callahan has helped. So has his consistent attitude towards every practice.
"It doesn't change my mindset," said Rupcich when I asked him about Charles retiring and the opportunity it opens up for him. "I come in here every day to try and work and earn an opportunity. Prove to the coaches and upper management that I belong here. That's how I want to approach every day. Earn a job."
Who will earn the job? That's the big question at the moment. Both Radunz and Rupcich will have opportunities to prove themselves in a game this weekend against the 49ers.
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