Many might wonder if the Tennessee Titans regret signing inexperienced left tackle Andre Dillard to replace 3x Pro Bowler Taylor Lewan. After allowing a sack in the third quarter, Tennessee benched Dillard, and Nicholas Petit-Frere played the remainder of the game at left tackle. Tennessee would lose to Baltimore 16-24 in London.
The Tennessee Titans desperately needed a new left tackle after they moved on from Taylor Lewan.
Taylor Lewan couldn’t stay healthy as of late. He tore his right ACL in Week 6 against Houston in 2020. He tore his right ACL in Week 2 against Buffalo during the 2022 season for the second time.
After the 2023 season, Tennessee released Taylor Lewan. He would’ve been in the last year of his 5-year, $80 million contract he signed in 2018. Tennessee rolled the dice with Andre Dillard.
Andre Dillard had an uneventful start to his career.
The Philadelphia Eagles traded up to draft Andre Dillard in the 1st round, 22nd overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Dillard appeared in every game and started four games in his rookie season. He had three starts at left tackle and one start at right.
The Eagles planned on Dillard being the starting left tackle for the 2020 season and Jason Peters being the right guard. Dillard tore his biceps on August 27th and missed the entire 2020 season. Jason Peters played his last season with Philadelphia.
Dillard competed for Jason Peters’ starting spot in his third season.
The Eagles didn’t bring Jason Peters back for the 2021 season, opening a competition for the left tackle spot. Dillard competed with Jordan Mailata during training camp, and Jordan Mailata won the competition. Lane Johnson got injured in Week 2. Mailata filled in for Johnson at right tackle, and Dillard started at left tackle for the next four games.
Philadelphia declined his fifth-year option.
Philadelphia declined his fifth-year option on May 2, 2022. He fractured his forearm during practice, and Philadelphia placed him on injured reserve to start the season. Philadelphia activated him on October 15th from the injured reserve.
Tennessee takes a chance on an inexperienced offensive lineman.
Tennessee and Andre Dillard agreed to a 3-year, $29 million contract on March 20th. That’s a lot of money for a guy that only started in nine games with Philadelphia. Tennessee had high hopes for the former first round pick.
Nicholas Petit-Frere could push Andre Dillard out of the left tackle spot.
Tennessee selected Nicholas Petit-Frere in the 3rd round, 69th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Petit-Frere won the starting right tackle job over Dillon Radunz. He started in 16 games, allowing five sacks and eight penalties with a 52.3 pff grade in his rookie season.
The NFL suspended him for four games because he violated the league’s gambling policy. Chris Hubbard filled in for him at right tackle. Since Hubbard is playing well, the Titans decided to stick with Hubbard as the starter.
Dillard has allowed seven sacks in six games. Petit-Frere played well in relief for Andre Dillard. The Titans have a decision to make at left tackle. Do they keep playing Andre Dillard? Or do they start Nicholas Petit-Frere moving forward?
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