Back in 2019, the Tennessee Titans had the now-infamous slogan, “good to great,” with the idea that the team would finally take that next step from average or slightly better to something bigger.
Despite being unable to break through from the dreaded 9-7 record, the team was able to get as close to that goal as it had been in a long time in what was one of the more improbable runs in franchise history.
The underdog Titans ended the Tom Brady era IN New England, and then went on to shock the world and upset the Baltimore Ravens, leading to an AFC Championship Game showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.
And even though the Titans lost that game — and after getting an early lead, may I mind you — the run left both players and fans with a taste of something greater, which led to Super Bowl expectations.
And that was the beginning of Jon Robinson’s downfall.
Let’s not forget that Robinson deserves credit, not just for the good teams he built in the past few years — and for his attempts to go for it with moves that were almost universally loved at the time, like Jadeveon Clowney and Julio Jones — but also for pulling this organization out of the dumpster it was in before he got here.
But he was unable to re-create the 2019 finish in the next few years, let alone build on it. And while the Titans were definitely good in 2020 and 2021, they simply weren’t great, something that was no longer acceptable.
As a result, all of his misses (draft picks included) were magnified, and it was no longer “In J-Rob we trust,” but rather “what the hell is J-Rob doing?”
The dam broke when Robinson traded A.J. Brown. Dealing one of the franchise’s best receivers of all time in a championship window was never a good idea, and to do so before exhausting all avenues made it even worse.
It’s only fitting Robinson got canned after the Titans got embarrassed by Brown and the Eagles on Sunday, but that’s not the only reason.
Ultimately, the inability to advance past the good stage in recent years didn’t sit well with Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk, who said as much in her statement along with the announcement of Robinson’s firing.
Since becoming controlling owner in 2015, my goal has been to raise the standard for what is expected in all facets of our organization. I believe we have made significant progress both on and off the field through investments in leadership, personnel and new ideas. This progress includes the core of our business, the football team itself, which is regularly evaluated both by results (wins and losses) and team construction/roster building. I am proud of what we have accomplished in my eight seasons of ownership, but I believe there is more to be done and higher aspirations to be met.
Had Robinson met those expectations, some of his blunders might’ve been forgiven, but as the Titans are heading toward another good (and I’d argue slightly less than good) but not great season, Adams Strunk refused to sit around and accept it any longer.
The firing of Robinson sends a clear message: Adams Strunk wants bigger and better things for this franchise when it comes to winning — and that’s great news for the Titans and their fans.
