As Chig Okonkwo departs for Washington, a physically transformed Gunnar Helm seizes the starting role, earning early praise as Cam Ward’s primary receiving threat in Nashville.
The Tennessee Titans made a big change to the tight end room this offseason.
The Titans decided that instead of giving Chig Okonkwo an extension, they would let him leave in free agency, opening the door for Gunnar Helm to take over as Cam Ward's main receiving option at the position.
Okonkwo has since joined the Washington Commanders, where former Titans receiver Treylon Burks plays.
Okonkwo was the leading receiver for the Titans last season, finishing with 560 receiving yards and two touchdowns. However, he was far too inconsistent in the four years he spent in Tennessee, so the franchise decided to move on from him.
Helm showed promise as a rookie, accounting for 357 receiving yards and one touchdown.
The Titans made things pretty clear on where they stood on Helm when they brought in Daniel Bellinger from the New York Giants in free agency. Bellinger is more of a blocking tight end, leaving Helm as the receiving threat.
Titans head coach Robert Saleh was asked about the kind of role he foresees Helm having in the offense at a recent press conference. He was hesitant to commit to one this early before the players begin training with football pads.
However, he shared that Helm has looked impressive ahead of his second season in the league.
"Gunnar [Helm] looks good, man," Saleh said. "Looks like a legit dude, you know? So, it's just from my understanding from what he was a year ago to what he is now, especially physically. Again, once pads come on, we'll be able to decide all that. But like all these guys, hopefully they take a big jump and find a way to grab the bull by the horns and take advantage of their ops."
Earlier this offseason, it looked like the Titans may have been interested in drafting another tight end besides Jaren Kanak. Nashville native and Stanford tight end Sam Roush was one of the players who attended the Titans' Local Pro Day back in April ahead of the draft.
Unfortunately, the Titans didn't have a third-round pick, and they eventually selected Kanak out of Oklahoma in the seventh round.
Roush eventually was selected by the Chicago Bears instead. As it stands, the tight ends on the roster are Helm, Bellinger, Kylen Granson, Kanak, David Martin-Robinson,
The Titans made it a priority to get Ward help this offseason.
Adding Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency and then drafting Carnell Tate were proof of that concept. However, it appears they already had a clear plan in mind when it came to the roles in the tight end room.
Helm returns as a viable receiving option for Ward. Now that the Titans have given Ward help at receiver, it should take the pressure off of a player like Helm as he enters year two in the Music City.
