The Tennessee Titans were thrown a curveball on Tuesday when offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles, who was competing for the right guard spot, decided to retire.
Not only was Charles in the competition for the starting job, he appeared to be the favorite for it dating back to the offseason program. On Wednesday morning, head coach Brian Callahan revealed that Charles retired because he simply didn't want to play football anymore.
With Charles out of the mix, Callahan touched on the updated pecking order at the position in terms of who has a shot at the starting job.
To nobody's surprise, Dillon Radunz, who was listed behind Charles on the first unofficial depth chart, is going to get the majority of reps at the position moving forward. However, Callahan added that Daniel Brunskill is also in the mix.
Brian Callahan said Saahdiq Charles decision was a little bit surprising. Dillon Radunz will get majority of snaps at RG. Brunskill in that mix too.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) August 7, 2024
While it looked like Charles was getting the majority of the first-team reps before he retired, Callahan noted that was not the case and Radunz and Charles were splitting reps evenly. He also made it clear the starter wasn't determined yet.
Dillon Radunz and Saahdiq Charles had an "even split" of reps at RG according to Brian Callahan. He added that no starter had been solidified up to this point.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 7, 2024
Radunz looked to turn the corner toward the end of last season after two lackluster seasons to start his career, although that turnaround came at right tackle. The 2021 second-round pick gave up just one sack and five pressures over the team's final five games.
Earlier this offseason, the Titans said they viewed him as a guard, which put Radunz in the right guard competition against Charles and others.
Brunskill signed with the Titans last offseason and started 14 games at right guard. He was Tennessee's most consistent offensive lineman, although that isn't saying much. He surrendered two sacks and 26 pressures in 449 pass-block snaps.
