The Tennessee Titans released third-year linebacker Monty Rice on Tuesday, an unexpected move at this point in the season. The Tennessee Titans severed ways with Monty Rice in an unexpected decision on Tuesday. The organization dismissed the third-year linebacker from Georgia after he played 23 snaps in the team’s Week 13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Rice, drafted in the third round of 2021, initially faced experienced players in his rookie year. However, after gaining playing time toward the end of 2022, he was anticipated to start in the 2023 training camp. This expectation didn’t materialize, with Jack Gibbens, an undrafted free agent in his second year, usurping Rice’s position from veteran Azeez Al-Shaair. Consequently, Rice’s playing time this season has been restricted.
Although he participated in every game this year, Rice’s defensive snaps amounted to only 86, while he played 184 snaps on special teams. This reduced role resulted in limited productivity, evident in his modest 26 tackles for the year.
Despite recent increased appearances, Rice’s defensive involvement fluctuated. He saw a mere six defensive snaps in the initial eight games but had a higher involvement from Week 10 to Week 12 with 19 or more snaps. However, in Week 13, his defensive snap count plummeted to nine, leading to his release.
Rice’s departure adds to a string of unsuccessful draft picks under the tenure of former general manager Jon Robinson. The scrutiny of Robinson’s draft classes from 2020, 2021, and 2022 reflects the team’s decline, and Rice’s release underscores these issues.
It appears that Rice was content with being released, evident from his social media posts expressing relief about parting ways with the team. Considering the move and certain remarks made by Mike Vrabel about Rice previously, it seems mutual feelings contributed to the decision.
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