NASHVILLE – Mike Vrabel knows wins and losses are the only true measure for the Tennessee Titans. Coming up one win shy of the franchise’s first Super Bowl berth in 20 years even after a 2-4 start means they still have plenty of work ahead.
The Titans cleaned out lockers Monday, a day after being beaten 35-24 by the Kansas City Chiefs in the team’s first AFC championship game in 17 years. Tennessee finished 11-8 after a fourth straight 9-7 record during the regular season, and the Titans haven’t won the AFC South or hosted a playoff game since 2008.
Going 7-3 on the road was nice. The Titans impressed in clinching their second playoff berth in three seasons with a win at Houston before upsetting the defending champs in New England in the wild-card round before knocking off top-seeded Baltimore in the divisional round. Four road trips in four weeks took a toll.
“We have a long way to go, and we have to host some of those games,” Vrabel said. “Now we have to get to the point where we host them, but I think we improved. We’re a better team now than we were at any point during the season, better than we were last year.”
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, left, says goodbye to cornerback Tye Smith, center, and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, right, as players clean out their lockers Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans lost the AFC Championship NFL football game Sunday to the Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)The Titans have little time to lament the loss in Kansas City. They have a lengthy to-do list starting with Ryan Tannehill and NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry set to become free agents in March. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees also announced his retirement Monday.