Despite reports of an impending rebuild, the Tennessee Titans have announced the signing of defensive lineman Arden Key in NFL Free Agency. According to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, Key has agreed to a three-year deal worth $21 million. The deal has a maximum value of $24 million. It also includes $13 million guaranteed at signing.
The #Titans have agreed to terms with DL Arden Key on a three-year, $21 million deal with a max value of $24 million that includes $13 million fully guaranteed at signing, source says. After 4.5 sacks with the #Jaguars last season, Key cashes in.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 15, 2023
The Tennessee Titans have made a big move in NFL free agency by signing Arden Key to a three-year deal. The former Jaguars defensive lineman brings versatility, leadership, and a consistent situational pass rush to a team that is looking to build on its recent success.
Key, who ranked 50th on PFT’s list of top-100 free agents, reunites with Titans General Manager Ran Carthon. He worked with whom he worked in San Francisco in 2020.
How was Arden Key’s performance with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2020 Off-season?
Last off-season, Key joined the Jacksonville Jaguars on a one-year, $4 million contract. He provided the team with versatility, leadership, and a consistent situational pass rusher. He finished the season with 4.5 sacks and 20 quarterback pressures. He was third on the team in sacks.
Key’s standout performances came at a crucial time during the regular season when the Jaguars were vying for the playoffs. He recorded 2.5 sacks between Weeks 14 and 15. It included victories over the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys, resulting in a higher defensive snap count for Key.
How was Arden Key’s NFL journey?
A highly sought-after recruit out of high school, Key found immediate success at LSU, totaling 11.0 sacks, 12.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, and 55 total tackles during his sophomore year in 2016. Despite a lackluster pre-draft process and an injury-riddled junior year, he was considered one of the top prospects to watch for in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Selected by the then-Oakland Raiders in the third round, Key started 10 of 16 games as a rookie in 2018, with one sack and 11 quarterback hits. He suffered a foot injury after seven games in his second year. The injury prematurely ended his season. However, he recorded a sack in each of the final two games he played, showing glimpses of his potential. After an underwhelming 2020 campaign, the Raiders released Key on April 15th, 2021.
Eight days later, Key joined the San Francisco 49ers, where he excelled in their rotation. He finished the season with a career-high 6.5 sacks. He parlayed that success into a more lucrative deal with the Jaguars before ultimately signing with the Titans.
Key’s journey from highly sought-after recruit to NFL free agency has been a rollercoaster. But his potential is undeniable, as evidenced by his career-high 6.5 sacks with the San Francisco 49ers. With Key joining the Titans in NFL Free Agency, fans can look forward to an exciting season ahead as the team looks to make a deep run in the playoffs.
