Former Hoosier Rodger Saffold is on the Move to the Tennessee Titans
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Image: Curtis Crabtree Getty Images
Written by Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)
Rodger Saffold signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Tennessee Titans last week. The well-deserved deal includes $22.5 million guaranteed. After several successful seasons with the Rams, culminating in a Super Bowl loss last February, Saffold hopes to benefit from a change of scenary. Saffold is Indiana’s NFL ironman. Having played in 114 games and starting 111 of them, Saffold is the longest tenured former Hoosier at the professional level. Throughout his remarkable career, Saffold has played left tackle and both guard positions, ultimately settling in at left guard for the past three years.
During the 2018 season, Saffold helped the talented, up-and-coming Los Angeles Rams team to the Super Bowl. Saffold anchored an offensive line that fueled one of the best offenses in the league. The Rams ranked fifth in passing offense and third in rushing. This offseason, Saffold finds himself leaving one young and intriguing team for another. The Titans are led by quarterback Marcus Mariota, who last season achieved career high in completion percentage while posting the lowest interception total of his four-year career. Saffold and his fellow linemen will have their work cut out for them. Mariota will be looking to use his athleticism to buy time, escape the pocket, and make plays.
The Titans have a dynamic running back corps led by Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis. Last year was head coach Mike Vrabel’s first season with Tennessee. Although the Titans failed to make the playoffs last year, there were several positive takeaways. The young ball club rallied to win four straight games in December and only missed the playoffs by one game. Vrabel had the Titans playing their best football at the most important time of the year. Now with Rodger Saffold in the mix, Tennessee will seek more consistency and a playoff appearance. He won’t be scoring touchdowns or fantasy points, but IU fans can take pride in Saffold’s play. He continues to represent Hoosier football like a true professional.