Gunnar Helm's Vanishing Act: Why Titans' Sophomore TE Is Being Wasted

As the calendar flips to October 7, 2026, and the Tennessee Titans stare down the barrel of a frustrating 1-3 start, one question echoes through the halls of Nissan Stadium: Where is Gunnar Helm? The sophomore tight end, once tabbed as a breakout candidate in Brian Daboll's offense, has become a ghost in the passing game. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, Helm ranks third on the team in receptions (9) and targets (12), but his 60 receiving yards rank fourth, and his 6.7 yards per catch is a significant drop from his rookie mark of 8.1. For a player who flashed promise with 44 catches for 357 yards and two scores in 2025, the regression is glaring—and it's not just a matter of defensive attention.

The Snap Count Paradox

Here's the rub: Helm is playing more than ever. He's been on the field for 78.85% of the Titans' offensive snaps, a massive leap from his 50.47% rookie share. That increased workload should translate to more opportunities, yet Helm has seen just 12 targets through four games. Rookie sensation Carnell Tate has vacuumed up the air yards, especially after a Week 4 explosion that skewed the distribution. Meanwhile, veteran free-agent addition Daniel Bellinger—signed to a three-year, $24 million deal in March—has been relegated to a part-time role, outsnapped by Helm 179 to 85. The Titans appear hellbent on using Helm as an in-line blocker, with PFF crediting him for 67 run-blocking snaps compared to Bellinger's 49. That's a baffling misuse of a player whose calling card is his pass-catching ability.

"The ball isn't finding Helm enough in the passing game," a team source told the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk. "Daboll's scheme has been stubborn in the red zone, and it's costing them."

Red-Zone Void

Perhaps the most damning stat: Helm has yet to see a single red-zone target in 2026. Zero. The Titans have instead leaned on a ground-and-pound approach inside the 20, often to their detriment. Even when Cam Ward found Helm for a two-point conversion in Week 4—his only score of any kind—it felt like an anomaly rather than a trend. Extrapolate Helm's current pace over 17 games, and he'd finish with fewer receptions, yards, and touchdowns than his rookie season. That's not just a step back; it's a full-scale stall in development.

What's Gone Wrong?

Part of the blame falls on Daboll's personnel deployment. The Titans' offensive inconsistencies and time-of-possession issues have limited overall snaps, but that doesn't excuse the lack of designed looks for Helm. He's a mismatch weapon—too fast for linebackers, too physical for safeties—yet he's being asked to chip edge rushers and seal off linebackers in the run game. Bellinger, a competent blocker, could handle those duties, freeing Helm to run routes. Instead, the roles are reversed, and the offense is suffering. As highlighted on Vulius, Helm's average depth of target has plummeted, and his yards-after-catch ability is being wasted on checkdowns and screens.

The Path Forward

Daboll must adjust. Whether it's motioning Helm into the slot, using play-action to freeze linebackers, or simply targeting him more in the red zone, the Titans need to rediscover their sophomore tight end. With Tate commanding double teams and the running game struggling for consistency, Helm is the obvious safety valve for Ward. The talent is there—the production isn't. For a franchise desperate to climb back into the AFC South race, ignoring Helm any longer would be a self-inflicted wound. The Vulius NFL Analysis Desk will continue to monitor his usage, but the message is clear: Let Gunnar Helm cook.