Key Working To Improve His Game As One Of Titans Top Pass Rushers

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Titans defense finished the 2022 season ranked No. 11 across the NFL in total defense. Part of that defense came in the form of 39 total sacks accrued by a defense that battled injuries to two of their premier pass rushers, Bud Dupree and Harold Landry, who missed the entire season.

The loss of Landry and the underperformance of Dupree when he was on the field, limited this defensive unit's ability to produce pressure off the edge, as Denico Autry led the team with eight sacks. At the same time, Jeffery Simmons added 7.5, and reserve edge Rashad Weaver followed with 5.5 quarterback takedowns.

Enter Arden Key, an edge pass rush specialist who joined the Titans as a free-agent addition after spending last season with division rival Jacksonville.

In a limited role for the Jaguars, Key provided 4.5 sacks, which would have placed him fourth on the Titans.

Now Key is looking to play a more prominent part for his new team and has been working on his game since arriving in Nashville to be ready when the season begins.

"My footwork. Tightening up my footwork, my different base, and sub-packages," said Key. "It's different with the footwork, so getting that down pat since I'm switching sides and trying to get the footwork down as a left defensive end or outside linebacker."

"But all in all, it's just the footwork I have right now," Key said.

Part of Key's game, besides his speed, is the energy he brings to the field and his ability to talk to his opponents. As for how his new team has received that part of his game, Key shared this.

"It's good; I think me and Jeff (Simmons) are racing to be the most energetic guy," Key said. "But, I like it, especially when I'm outside at practice."

"If I'm on the field, you're gonna hear me. If I'm off the field, you're gonna hear me," continued Key. "I'm always encouraging the guys on the field; that's what I feel like I'm best at, encouraging other guys."

Key will be asked to shoulder more of the load early this season as Landry returns from the knee injury that cost him the entire 2022 season. It's a known fact that players who undergo ACL repair aren't usually back to their preinjury selves in year one of their recovery.

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