The Tennessee Titans made a change on their special teams coaching staff this offseason after letting Matt Edwards go and bringing in former NFL linebacker, Chase Blackburn, to take his spot.
Blackburn, who spent 10 seasons in the league, worked his way up from an assistant to special teams coordinator over six seasons on the Carolina Panthers’ coaching staff.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel recently revealed that Blackburn will assist in evaluating special teams guys for the 2022 NFL draft, and will then work with Vrabel and special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman about kickoff return philosophy, according to Jim Wyatt of Titans Online.
“We just kind of talked about his teaching background and I felt like just his knowledge, we’re really adding a very good football coach for that role,” Vrabel explained. “Right now, without having players here, it’s about evaluating special teams guys for the draft, he’s going to assist in special teams with Craig (Aukerman), work with myself and Craig about this kickoff return philosophy and what we want to do.”
From there, Vrabel went on to say that special teams duties will be split up between the two coaches (Aukerman and Blackburn), with Blackburn working with gunners, for example, while Aukerman is elsewhere.
“And that’s where he’ll (Blackburn) be right now… I think we have two very good coaches there that could split those special teams duties up,” Vrabel said.
.@Titans HC Mike Vrabel on the addition of @Blackburn5793 as assistant special teams coach, and his potential role. pic.twitter.com/TLXEzmvHUm
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) March 28, 2022
The Titans have seen issues across special teams in the past few years, which has led to Aukerman coming under fire from media and fans alike. Hopefully Blackburn can bring a new perspective into the building that helps Tennessee improve its special teams units in 2022.
