Newly Signed Trevis Gipson can be an X-Factor for Tennessee Titans' Pass Rush
The Tennessee Titans' pass rush is set to be one of the best aspects of the team in 2023, if not the best and it just got better on Thursday when the Titans brought in pass rusher Trevis Gipson. Gipson had been with the Chicago Bears since he was drafted in 2020, but was recently let go during their roster cuts.
In his three seasons of work for the Bears, Gipson has had some ups and downs. His rookie season in 2020 saw him only play in seven games, taking 71 snaps on defense, but Gipson responded in 2021 with his best season as a pro, putting up seven sacks in 16 games.
2022 brought another low, but it may not be Gipson who should get all the blame for that. The Bears hired a new coach, Matt Eberflus, in the 2022 offseason and that came with a schematic change on defense. The Bears went from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3.
Clearly, Gipson did not enjoy the change. Recently, there was a report from Jeremy Fowler, which since have been shot down by Bears' general manager Ryan Poles, that Gipson requested a trade because he didn't like the defense as a fit for himself.
If you look at Gipson's production in 2022,three sacks in 17 games, it is hard not to believe the report and accept the fact that Gipson may be right about his particular scheme fit. But you also have to give Gipson credit even with low numbers because he was the fifth-most double-teamed edge rusher in the NFL last season.
The Titans run a multiple defense with 3-4 and 4-3 looks, that also plays primarily out of nickel, but the construction and roles assigned with each position are certainly more aligned with a 3-4, which Gipson prefers.
If Gipson feels he fits in the system, his talent allows him to do serious damage. The seven sacks in 2021 obviously show that, but Titans fans got a major glimpse of what Gipson can do this preseason.
The Titans took on the Bears to open their preseason slate and those who watched the game saw Gipson dominate the Titans' offensive line. Gipson put up a sack and eight pressures. Gipson lived in the Titans' backfield.
That was mostly how the entire preseason went for Gipson who led the NFL in pressures during the three-game stretch with 14.
The box score reflected the talent in 2021 when Gipson was in the right system. Even in the less productive year of 2022, Gipson was a force who saw constant double teams and in this year's preseason he was again displaying the fact he was a level above the backups he faced.
Add that sort of player, at age 26, to a Titans pass rush group with Jeffery Simmons, Harold Landry, Denico Autry, Arden Key and Rashad Weaver. What you have might be the best pass rush group in the NFL by the end of the season.
The Titans got seven sacks last season from DeMarcus Walker. Ironically enough, Walker left in free agency and signed with — you guessed it — the Chicago Bears, making it an interesting switch of talents.
Walker turned a career year with the Titans into a three-year, $21 million contract with the Bears at age 28, turning 29 in September. The Titans brought in a player who is multiple years younger, for a far smaller financial commitment that will likely be a one-year deal.
The most sacks Walker ever had in a season prior to joining the Titans was four. With the seven Gipson put up in 2021, it is fair to argue Gipson is the more talented player coming in as well.
Like Walker though, Gipson has a chance to play a critical role as a rotation player that takes the Titans' pass rush from good to great and with his relative youth, could present a long-term piece the Titans can keep with the group for years to come.
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