The Chicago Bears aren't sure what to make of their first opponent of the 2024 season. Nobody argues that the Tennessee Titans were a mediocre team last year. That is why they fired their coaching staff. They spent a ton of money on free agency and were aggressive in the trade market. On paper, they look like an intriguing team. However, it has an unproven quarterback and an unproven head coach. They also have an unproven defensive coordinator, and his recent comments are certain to get attention from the Bears.
Dennard Wilson arrived from Baltimore to take over the Titans defense this off-season. He is a defensive backs specialist, so one can understand he'd have certain expectations for how his secondary will play. One thing is clear. He fully intends to challenge the Bears wide receivers at the line of scrimmage.
“For me, I believe press or less,” Wilson said. “I want them to line up and I want them to be in front of receivers and challenge the receivers. Ultimately, in this game, if you get free access, it’s easy for this quarterback, the quarterback to complete balls. So what I do is I want to create hesitation at the line of scrimmage and make them earn it the hard way. Make them earn it, throw the 50/50 ball, but everything else we’re going to challenge.”
Wilson was then asked if he leaves it open to his corners to press.
“From day one, we press everything.”
This would explain the Titans' moves in the off-season.
They started by signing veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, fresh off a productive stint in Cincinnati. Then they swung a trade for two-time Super Bowl champion L'Jarius Sneed from the Kansas City Chiefs. They, along with promising nickel corner Roger McCreary, give Wilson the pieces to play that style of defense. Nicholas Moreano of CHGO decided to ask Bears receivers if they thought pressing them was a good strategy. Their replies were certainly notable.
Keenan Allen: “That’s the Titans’ whoever you’re talking about? Yeah, sure.”
Rome Odunze: “You know, if that is what he’s trying to do, that’s what he’s trying to do. Everybody has their different tasks with trying to stop an offense and especially in our room with the guys that we have, we have a lot of answers for those things as well."
Tyler Scott: "But hey, if that’s what they want to do, we got all different types of guys, especially a guy like Keenan. You know. OK. We welcome it.”
The Chicago Bears have good reasons to feel confident.
There is something worth noting here. Back in May, Pro Football Focus revealed the top 10 wide receivers against press coverage last season. D.J. Moore was #8 with 29 catches of 15 yards or more against press. Keenan Allen was #9, catching 85 of the 91 catchable passes he saw against press. Both of them now happen to be teammates. Even Rome Odunze, their 1st round pick, improved a ton against press cornerbacks last season for Washington. This group is uniquely equipped to counter such a defense.
Much of this hinges on the Chicago Bears' offensive line. The press defense can work if the Titans' pass rush can get to Caleb Williams. If the rookie gets decent protection, there is no way Tennessee's new secondary can hold those receivers in check for long. Moore and Allen by themselves are way too good. Playing press defense can be incredibly effective but also leaves you open to big plays down the field.
One final thing to note. New Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron coached against Cleveland, Washington, Dallas, and Pittsburgh last year. Those four teams ranked among the highest in man/press coverage. His Seahawks averaged 308 yards passing in those games—something to think about.
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