I can’t say the move is shocking, but the timing is. Per Paul Kuharsky, the Titans are moving on from Teair Tart after season-long issues reached a breaking point. Tart signed a second-round restricted free agent tender this off-season worth $4.3M. The 4th year defensive tackle has had issues throughout the season over his contract. The Titans have been unsatisfied about his effort and attitude.
Tart joined the Titans as a rookie free agent after the 2020 NFL Draft. In 3 seasons with the team, he played in 34 games with 27 starts. In 2022, Tart started in a career high 16 games. Throughout his career with the team, Tart became one of the most notable players on defense. In 2023, he appeared in 10 games with the Titans. Tart recorded 76 combined tackles, 29 assisted tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an unforgettable interception against the Indianapolis Colts.
The timing off the move is more shocking than the actual move. With Tarts frustration with the Titans over his contract situation, and the Titans upset with Tarts effort and attitude, many fans felt that Tart would not return to the team in 2024. The Titans are coming off of a 28-27 win verses the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. Tart had been ruled questionable leading up until Monday’s game but still played. He did not practice this Wednesday or Thursday for personal reasons. He was ruled out of this Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans right before the news broke. The Titans are thin on the defensive line with Jeffrey Simmons recovering from a knee injury he suffered during the Titans and Colts game in Nashville. He too has been ruled out of this Sunday’s game against the Texans. It seems like this move would’ve been made closer to the end of the season, but as we’ve seen over the last few weeks, the Titans don’t waste time when it comes to dealing with players they feel are a determent to the team.
