NASHVILLE – Arden Key is headed into his eighth NFL season, and now less than a year away from his 30th birthday.
The Titans edge rusher is preparing for his third year in Tennessee, and he's getting others ready as well.
In fact, Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson recently bragged about Key, and his development as a leader.
"I love where he is at right now," Wilson said of Key. "He has taken a leadership position with the people in the group. I think he is maturing on and off the field, and you just see it each and every day.
"We talk about each one, teach one, and he is one of the first guys that is teaching the young guys how to be better, what to do, the tricks of the trade, things he's messed up throughout his career. Where Arden is at right now, I love where he is."
A third-round pick of the Oakland Raiders in the 2018 NFL Draft, Key joined the Titans in 2023 after playing with the Raiders (2018-2020), 49ers (2021), and Jaguars (2022).
In 2024, Key matched a career high with 6.5 sacks during a season when he also recorded 42 tackles, 38 quarterback pressures and 11 tackles for a loss.
Following the departure of Harold Landry, Key and others will be counted on to provide a big boost to the pass rush, while showing others the way.
Titans outside linebackers coach Ben Bloom credited Key for helping players like rookie Femi Oladejo, and others.
"Arden has been around the league long enough, and he's had production as a pass rusher. He has played with different teams, been around different players," Bloom said. "So, he has a lot of knowledge about rushing the passer in different things, using his hands, and specific moves, and he does a nice job of sharing that and showing leadership in that area with the other players."
Key knows some of the faces have changed around him on the defense.
He's been around the league long enough to know nothing stays the same.
"Harold is not here, but we have to move on," Key said. "We have to make sure the room is right. We have a lot of rookies in our room, so a lot of technique areas we have to fix, and just getting them caught up in the NFL game of football. … The new guys are energetic, especially Femi. But these guys are hungry to come in and play, and they know they have to help us. It's a great group."
Key, known for his big personality and outgoing way, said he's more than willing to help lead.
After a 3-14 season, he said there's an urgency around the team to fix the problems from a year ago.
He's ready to step up, and speak up.
"Femi, he comes up and asks questions about different pass rush techniques, because he is new at outside linebacker," Key said. "Yeah, we talk a lot. I feel like I am coaching now, but it's all good. I love it."
