Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson aims to create an attacking defense.
The Tennessee Titans underwent a significant coaching change this offseason, replacing Mike Vrabel with former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. This shift from a defensive-minded head coach to an offensive one signals a potential change in philosophy for the Titans, who are in the early stages of rebuilding. Callahan, a first-time head coach, has assembled a young coaching staff, including Dennard Wilson as the new defensive coordinator.
Wilson brings a wealth of experience to Tennessee, having served as the defensive backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 after holding similar positions with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. While he also coordinated the passing game in previous roles, this is Wilson’s first opportunity to lead an entire NFL defense.
During his introductory press conference, Wilson outlined his vision for the Titans’ defense in 2024, emphasizing an aggressive, attacking approach. “Football, it’s not about the scheme, it’s about the players,” Wilson explained, according to the team’s official website. “So, we have to figure out what they do well, and we’ll put the scheme around them to allow their talents to flourish.”
He further elaborated on his philosophy by quoting General George Patton: “‘Nobody ever defended anything successfully. You are going to attack, and attack some more.’ We are going to be an attacking defense. We are going to be violent in our approach. We are going to be smart, we are going to be intelligent, we are never going to compromise for competing, and that is the brand of football we are going to play around here.” This aggressive mindset aligns with Wilson’s experience with the Jets, Eagles, and Ravens, all teams known for their ability to force turnovers and create disruptive plays on defense.
One area where the Titans struggled in 2023 was generating turnovers. They ranked 31st in the league with only 14 takeaways and last in interceptions with a mere six. Improving in this area will be a key priority for Wilson. He believes in blitzing more often and tailoring his schemes to the strengths of his players. “For me, if I see a talented player, I feel like I can get the best out of them,” Wilson stated. “Any player that I have ever been around, the first thing I am going to do: I pride myself in being a hell of a teacher. I am going to motivate them to be better than they think they should be or reach the potential they are supposed to. And I am going to inspire them to go get it.”
While the Titans face some potential losses in free agency, including Denico Autry and Azeez Al-Shaair, they still have a solid core of defensive talent for Wilson to work with. This includes standout defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, along with Arden Key and Harold Landry. Wilson’s aggressive approach and focus on player development could significantly impact the Titans’ defense in the upcoming season.
