The Tennessee Titans and general manager Ran Carthon continued their very active Tuesday after the team made arguably its biggest splash move thus far.
The Titans and former Jacksonville Jaguars EDGE Ardan Key agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal with a maximum value of $24 million that includes $13 million fully guaranteed at signing.
As you can probably guess by now, this is another player that has previous ties to Carthon. Key was with the 49ers in 2021 when he produced a career-high 6.5 sacks before eventually making the move to Jacksonville in 2022.
Arden Key's career took a turn with the #49ers a few years ago, when he registered a career-high 6.5 sacks. New #Titans GM Ran Carthon was with the Niners at the time as the director of pro personnel.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 15, 2023
In his sole season as a Jaguar, the LSU product accounted for 44 pressures, 11 quarterback hits, and 4.5 sacks on the year, while also receiving an overall grade of 81.3, according to Pro Football Focus.
This move has brought a ton of excitement to the fanbase, especially considering the fact that Tennessee had a massive hole along the edge following the departure of Bud Dupree.
On the contrary, this move drew a ton of skepticism and confusion amongst the Jaguars’ fanbase. Now, let’s take a closer peek at what types of reactions this move created on Twitter.
If there was one player Mike Vrabel POUNDED the table for in this free agency class, I bet it was Key.
Watching him do this to the Titans probably made Mike mark him lol https://t.co/as54Miqpy1
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) March 15, 2023
Key, Autry and Simmons will not be a fun trio to block. Add in Landry coming back and that has the makings of a really good pass-rushing DL. https://t.co/s6NQFlBMLr
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) March 15, 2023
Ran Carthon did something significant❗️ https://t.co/RK6gyaPQ5E
— 🍊 (@HendoCinco) March 15, 2023
Oh. my. god. https://t.co/vRn9sAHQR4
— Cardiac Cats (@cardiacatsbrand) March 15, 2023
That eliminated a reunion with Arden Key to San Francisco he’s all about his money don’t blame him Ron Carathon is absolutely killing us with Azeez, Brunskill, & Key even if it has been over a year since he rocked the red and gold running out of options maybe the Draft is focus🤔 https://t.co/AmFzS3MI2r pic.twitter.com/1gGUD6BJnf
— Bay Area Fanatic🌉🦈 (@brandontoyosima) March 15, 2023
WHY SMH https://t.co/zEZVVEJKKB
— Ethan Bay (@EBaye44) March 15, 2023
Arden said last year that he was pissed that #Titans didn’t respect the Jags last year after beating them in week 14
I wonder if he is still mad or if he doesn’t respect the #Jags now https://t.co/ps8Y5Cfxpd
— Zach Williams (@ZacheriahW) March 15, 2023
Arden Key's stats in three seasons with the Raiders, 2018-2020: 3 sacks, 2 passes defensed, 26 QB hits.
Arden Key's stats in two seasons with the 49ers and Jaguars, 2021-2022: 11 sacks, 3 passes defensed, 32 QB hits. https://t.co/3mrlNJpkDB
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) March 15, 2023
#Titans lost DeMarcus Walker at the same exact contract that they get Arden Key at. Stunned by that. That’s a big win for Tennessee.
Weird that I predicted the #Bears to get Key and they ended up with Walker. https://t.co/cLWAPTJdBu
— The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) March 15, 2023
Well then. Your move @ Jaguars.
Did not expect them to lose Arden Key. Much less to the Titans.
— Jordan de Lugo (@jordandelugo) March 15, 2023
ARDEN KEY SIGNED WITH THE TITANS?!?!?!?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/wBY01o876y
— Brandon -IWNL- ⚡️ (@Devout2K) March 15, 2023
Arden Key ranked 15th out of 49 qualifying edge rushers in pass rush win rate last year per PFF charting. That’s better than Denico Autry and in the same neighborhood as Montez Sweat and Maxx Crosby. Still just 26 years old and clearly ascending the last two years.
— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonNFL) March 15, 2023
A very solid addition to the pass rush. https://t.co/7x2mhikP6J
— 2nd & Victory (@2ndandVictory) March 15, 2023
Tough day for the “Ran Carthon is just gonna be Mike Vrabel’s puppet” crowd
— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonNFL) March 15, 2023
LFG!! ⚔️ https://t.co/GJeo9qxTib pic.twitter.com/wwkJhIn9jn
— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) March 15, 2023
#SpeedToPower by Arden Key (@ArdenKeyEl). Key sees the chip release, so he redirects into the OL & runs him over. Keep it simple, keep it violent! #passrush #duuuval pic.twitter.com/HMKGsIrHA0
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) January 10, 2023
If I was running gameday ops at Nissan Stadium, we playing Key Glock when homie makes a play https://t.co/6GSTsGur2U
— Vincenzo (@HeHateV) March 15, 2023
An example of what Key can do in the #Titans defense… https://t.co/jg8KOSAeN2
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) March 15, 2023