The Tennessee Titans made their first signing of free agency on Monday when the team reportedly agreed to terms with offensive tackle Andre Dillard.
The deal between Dillard and the Titans is a three-year pact worth $29 million, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. However, we don’t have the exact breakdown with guaranteed money and whatnot, so it’s hard to say exactly how locked in the Titans are with the 26-year-old.
Putting the contract aside for now, Dillard figures to take over at left tackle in 2023 after the Titans cut Taylor Lewan and figure to let Dennis Daley walk.
There’s no question that Dillard has shown promise during his career in his limited opportunities, but the jury is still very much out on him as a full-time starter considering he’s only made nine starts during his career.
Knowing that, I don’t think this precludes the Titans from taking a left tackle at No. 11 overall, but I do think it prevents Tennessee from reaching for a guy they may not love out of desperation.
But, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, let’s take a look at the reactions to the signing from Titans fans and media in the wake of it being reported.
I don’t know if Andre Dillard has a Twitter.
If anyone out there knows him and sees this message tell him congratulations signing here. He is gonna love Nashville.
— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) March 13, 2023
This move for LT Andre Dillard is likely to have a massive impact on how we view this #Titans offseason going forward.
Assuming the plan is for Dillard and NPF to bookend the OL, Paris Johnson Jr. at 11 is no longer the best option.
Skoronski becomes much much appealing, as… https://t.co/R2PkFC0g9k
— Easton Freeze (@eastonfreeze) March 13, 2023
Andre Dillard was a 1st-rnd pick by the Eagles. Philly OL coach Jeff Stoutland is one of the top coaches. Rest assured Dillard was coached well. Good move by the #Titans.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) March 13, 2023
Per @MikeGarafolo, Andre Dillard gets a three-year deal worth $29 million from #Titans.
Never believe the dollar figures cut-and-pasted from an agent, however. That is the absolute best case. We need to see the details.
Guarantees and structure will tell us much more.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) March 13, 2023
That the Andre Dillard money report doesn’t include the guarantee certainly suggests it’s favorable to the #Titans.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) March 13, 2023
The #Titans fanbase finally gets the guy a bunch of us wanted at the trade deadline.
Excited to see what Andre Dillard does with this opportunity! https://t.co/llSYgMgEzu— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) March 13, 2023
Andre Dillard is one of the 'failed' picks on The List
Hope he turns it around during his second opportunity https://t.co/64w86bN1UH pic.twitter.com/l5r3z6DXgd
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) March 13, 2023
I did not expect Andre Dillard to get $9.67M APY at all.
But that would add a 5th round 2024 compensatory pick to the Eagles, and directly cancel out the Titans' 5th for the departure of Nate Davis. https://t.co/rMSgaQ0H1S
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) March 13, 2023
Dillard got benched because Mailata is a much better player. The #Titans need a long term tackle that’s a Mailata, not a Dillard.
This is a stop gap and I think it might be best for the #Titans if Dillard plays LG and they can still pick PJJ for LT.
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) March 13, 2023
I advocated for the #Titans to trade for Andre Dillard in October. Love seeing him land in Tennessee.
Potential long-term solution if things go well. Shouldn't take Titans out of OT market in the draft, though.https://t.co/6R1rdWcLwM
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 13, 2023
One important item to note on Andre Dillard: Never felt like he was "benched" or anything like that for playing poorly in Philadelphia. #Titans
A unique situation where Jordan Mailata unexpectedly developed into an excellent LT behind him and took advantage of opportunity.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 13, 2023
The Andre Dillard era in Philadelphia was bizarre.
Traded up for in the first round, only to lose your starting job to a 7th-round pick who never played football in his life.
Jordan Mailata is just that guy.
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) March 13, 2023
#Titans have their new LT in Andre Dillard. Former 1st round pick with a lot of untapped potential.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) March 13, 2023
Andre Dillard could prove a nice value for #Titans in that he’s capable of being the starting left tackle. It’s just a gamble based on an underwhelming stay in Philly. Think the Titans still draft an OT. Either way, they added an O-Lineman who could play. Definitely need those.
— Gentry Estes (@Gentry_Estes) March 13, 2023
LT: Andre Dillard
LG:
C:
RG:
RT: NPFRyan Tannehill dies a little less now https://t.co/zIHI6Rd2we
— Adam (@zandermercury) March 13, 2023
Andre Dillard’s path to starting in Philly was obviously roadblocked, but the former first-round pick showed signs of promise. The Titans are getting more than a serviceable player.
— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) March 13, 2023
With the Andre Dillard signing, I still 100% take Paris Johnson if he falls to 11.
Put Dillard at RT and move NPF to RG. Or just move Dillard in to LG.
— ⚔️Van MERC⚔️ (Evan) (@ItsEurb) March 13, 2023
Andre Dillard is a mediocre OT who never should have been drafted as high as he was, but who gets an OL closer to being competent https://t.co/82hERDmaUY
— Joe (@JoeA_NFL) March 13, 2023
