Countdown to Kickoff: 59 Days

In 21 seasons that they have been known as the Tennessee Titans, they have had 59 players who were on the team for more than four years.

The countdown to kickoff continues.

The Tennessee Titans will open the 2020 regular season Sept. 14 at Denver. That is 59 days away. So, today we look at one way the number 59 figures into the team’s recent history.

Four years is a long time in the NFL.

When a player is drafted, he signs a four-year contract with the team that selected him, yet the average NFL career lasts just 3.3 years. Those with staying power are uncommon.

Since 1999, when the Tennessee Titans adopted their current name, logo, etc. there have been 59 players who have spent more than four seasons on the roster. By contrast, there have been 60 players to date who stuck around for all or parts of four seasons exactly.

Four members of the current roster – safety Kevin Byard, running back Derrick Henry, center Ben Jones and tackle Dennis Kelly – are among the four-year group but will join those at five years and beyond if they play one regular-season game this fall.

The best way to stick around – with Tennessee, at least – is to be a punter. Craig Hentrich logged 11 seasons with the Titans (1999-2009) after one as a member of the Tennessee Oilers. Brett Kern replaced has been around 11 years in his own right (2009-19).

Two other special teamers, long-snapper Ken Amato (2003-11) and kicker Rob Bironas (2005-13) had lengthy stays of their own.

Linebacker Keith Bulluck and tackle Michael Roos lasted 10 seasons each, tied for the longest tenure by a Titans draft pick.

Steve McNair’s seven seasons with are the most by a quarterback, and that does not include his two seasons when the franchise was the Houston Oilers (1995-96) and two others when it was the Tennessee Oilers (1997-98). Neil O’Donnell spent five years as McNair’s backup and played in just 25 games, fewest among the 59 players with five years or more as a Titan.