Teair Tart is no longer a member of the Tennessee Titans. The team officially decided to move on after a drama-filled season and waived the fourth-year nose tackle on Friday evening.
Tart claims that it was his decision. Tennessee says that the decision was theirs.
Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in the middle? It’s all very strange.
Tart, who signed as an undrafted free agent in 2020, quickly became an important piece to the defense in Nashville. However, he is was on the final year of his contract this NFL season.
With negotiations looming, Tart has been subject to a lot of criticism for his on-field performance. More so his effort, or lack thereof.
His lack of playing time, dating back to the start of the season, was frustrating to Tart as he looks to secure a long-term deal in free agency this offseason. He has played in 47% of defensive snaps.
Head coach Mike Vrabel ripped into the 26-year-old over lazy and lackadaisical play back in October. Tart has missed multiple practices for non-injury related “personal reasons” over the last few weeks.
There’s no secret that Teair’s contract’s up after this year. I told him that, “for you and your family, both things can happen. You can play well and you can help the team, and you can play well and help your family.”
— Mike Vrabel last month
Monday night’s game was reportedly the breaking point for both parties.
Teair Tart no longer plays for the Tennessee Titans.
Tart played just 30 of the Titans’ 69 defensive snaps in the win over Miami. Tennessee chose to move on after another week of practice “because of issues with his effort and attitude,” according to ESPN.
Tart says that he requested to be let go.
appreciate the Titans respecting my request for release!!!! Looking forward to my next 👀🏡
— Teair Tart on X, formerly known as Twitter
With a few games left in the regular season, the 6-foot-2, 304-pound defensive lineman will hope to sign with a new team in the coming weeks. From there, clearly, he hopes to lock down his future and wants to be on the field.
Everything that went down between Tart and the Titans over the last few months was odd. The former did not help to present himself as a valuable asset while the latter failed to get him motivated.
In the end, what’s done is done. Both sides have moved on!