The Tennessee Titans have been struggling in the 2023 NFL season with a mere four wins and seven losses. Their quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been grappling with injuries, which have become a major setback on the offensive side of the ball. Though the team has been considering exploring backup QB options amid this blow, its O-line struggle is unlikely to disappear soon.
Besides that, the Titans’ defensive side has also hit the headlines due to a short saga regarding kicking out defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson and enrolling him on the roster again, which surprised the veteran as well.
Titans’ decision shocks Jaleel Johnson
The journey of an athlete can be filled with highs and lows, and Jaleel Johnson recently experienced the ups and downs of football stardom. After signing earlier in the offseason, Johnson’s initial time with the team involved him moving between the practice squad and the active roster. However, in November, a sudden roster move resulted in his departure from the team, prompting him to express his frustration publicly on social media.
Despite the vocal discontent, head coach Mike Vrabel demonstrated compassion and understanding, acknowledging the incident as “out of character.” The Titans now signed the defensive star back to the team’s 53-man roster. After getting re-signed, he himself was shocked.
Reflecting on his rollercoaster experience, the Titans star expressed both surprise and gratitude upon his reinstatement to the team.
“A little bit. When I got the call, it was kind of eye-opening, but I just took the opportunity and I’m going to run with it.”
He also weighed on Vrabel’s empathy and their shared understanding underscored the coach’s genuine concern for his players’ well-being beyond the field.
“It says a lot about coach (Mike Vrabel), that he cares about his guys. We built a bond. I think he knows where I come from and I know where he stands and what he expects out of his players and that wasn’t it,” he said via SI.com.
After delivering a storm on social media, Jaleel is now back on the roster. This might be an awkward feeling for him. However, the vetetan smilingly said he is now “off Twitter.” He also signaled a deliberate choice to focus solely on his football responsibilities, saying, “I think I deleted the app, so I’m thankful to be back and to help these guys win.”
Apart from playing for the Totans, the football prodigy has also played with the Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans, Saints, and Atlanta Falcons. His impactful performance during the 2020 season with the Vikings, where he started all 16 games, showcased his caliber as a valuable asset on the field.
Johnson brutally dissed Titans
When the Titans waived veteran Jaleel Johnson, his departure didn’t occur without a tumultuous aftermath. In a series of now-deleted tweets, the veteran vented his frustration, expressing discontent with the team’s focus on defense.
“They so worried about (trying) to fix the defense when we’re not the problem.”
The Tatans star also hinted at envy towards those leaving for more successful squads, notably citing Philadelphia Eagles safety Kevin Byard’s move.
“Going from a team (like the Titans) to a 9-1 team has gotta be the greatest feeling in the world,” he wrote.
However, in a reflective turn, the veteran acknowledged his lapse in judgment and admitted his error while extending apologies to Vrabel and the entire team. Speaking to John Glennon of the Nashville Post, he attributed the outburst to a momentary lack of proper thinking. He also shed light on his seven-year tenure in the league and his commitment to maintaining a professional demeanor.
“To be fair, I don’t really think I was thinking; I wasn’t thinking properly..I just think at the time, a little bit of frustration. But since I’ve been in the league for seven years, I’ve tried to do things in a professional manner. That’s something that I wouldn’t normally do… I talked to coach about it and let him know I apologize, talked to my teammates and coaches, told them I apologize for it.”
While Jaleel Johnson’s emotional reaction might have stemmed from a mix of frustrations, his performance on the field speaks volumes. He recorded 137 tackles, 6.5 sacks, along with 11 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries throughout 80 career games while making 21 starts.
What’s your take on Johnson’s outburst on the Titans’ team?
