Tennessee Titans: Evan Mathis the dream signing

Quietly, more teams are showing interest in veteran free agent left guard Evan Mathis, who is widely regarded as one of the best offensive linemen at any position in the business. With the Tennessee Titans looking poised to bench massive free agent bust Andy Levitre, ESPN NFL Nation’s plugged-in Paul Kuharsky reported that the Titans are “monitoring” Mathis’s situation, which is undoubtedly a wise decision for a bottom-feeder team with a plethora of cap space and an even bigger hole at the left guard position.

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The chances of the Titans signing Mathis still seems relatively low, since “monitoring” generally isn’t seen as a strong form of interest, and, more importantly, because the Titans aren’t a contender. The Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and Seattle Seahawks have been four teams at least loosely linked to signing him, and all four of them have more than a fair shot at sniffing the playoffs.

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Mathis, of course, visited the Seahawks, who traded Max Unger early in the offseason and perhaps have an even bigger need at guard given the Super Bowl-related stakes involved. While the Seahawks have just about no money in their pockets and are dealing with Kam Chancellor‘s (futile) holdout, early signs are actually decently positive for them. FOX Sports’s Mike Garafolo reported that both sides had a “good visit” and that the ‘Hawks will be an “option” for the standout guard despite their lack of financial ammunition.

At this point, the Seahawks are the team with the strongest interest in Mathis, and this bodes well for the Titans chances. If Mathis isn’t willing to take a steep drop in pay to chase a ring, then the Titans suddenly become a much more likely option. It’s hard to read into what an accomplished 33-year-old player, who will turn 34 when November hits, would like to get, because while he wants to earn a ring, he’ll also want to earn a real payday (since, you know, that’s why he left the playoff-contending Philadelphia Eagles).

On paper, Mathis is a dream fit for the Titans, and it goes beyond the simple fact that he’d be a big upgrade over Levitre, who has done jack ever since leaving the Buffalo Bills. The Titans need better offensive linemen across the board, whether they are strong pass blockers for Marcus Mariota or above-average run blockers who can aid the young and unproven duo of Bishop Sankey and David Cobb in the backfield. Those two will most likely form a 1-2 punch of some sort with Cobb leading the way, and even though Cobb has the strength to get yards in between the tackles, strong blocking is needed.

Chance Warmack seems like a potential building block at right guard and Taylor Lewan has franchise tackle potential, but those are the only two offensive linemen on the Tennessee Titans that inspire confidence at this point in time when looking at their depth chart. Mathis would be a monstrous boost in all facets, especially for a team that is so desperate at LG that they’ve moved right tackle Byron Bell there for some reps in training camp. Perhaps Bell is better at left guard, but with the way he’s played the right tackle position since coming into the league, it’s hard to trust him anywhere.

Evan Mathis would help so many young players on the Titans as a star veteran that he’d be a dream signing. But as with every dream, there are reasons that prevent it from being a likelihood. The Titans do have the money, yes, but most rebuilding teams stick with young players, simply because players won’t sign with them unless if they are overpaid as compared to market value.

Aug 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; ATennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) tries to escape a tackle by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Paul Soliai (96) during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Titans would have to pay Mathis a princely sum, and it would only be justified if they have that little confidence in their line’s ability to help their rookie quarterback. Rebuilding teams tend to prefer to add younger players, since that helps build a sustainable nucleus that gels and mutually grows over the years. After a couple of seasons, Mathis might not be effective or on the Titans, though the team would (hopefully) have found other good linemen to put in front of Mariota by then.

Although his visit with the Seahawks went well and the NFL’s current model franchise will continue to vie for his signature, the Titans might actually be in the better position despite their futility in 2014. They have the need, they have the money, and the ability to bring in an impact OL would help Sankey, Cobb, and Mariota so much that it would likely be worth the cost. With the way Levitre epically busted, though, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Titans have some creeping doubts, no matter how strong Mathis’s tape has been over the past few years.

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