Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm had a solid rookie season, holding up in blocking, finishing fourth on the team in receptions and receiving yards, and logging the second-most snaps at the position. Helm hauled in 44 receptions on 55 targets for 357 yards and two touchdowns across 16 games, including ten starts, and accounted for 533 offensive snaps. He also blocked 52% of his snaps and lined up in-line 71%, averaged 5.7 yards per depth of target and 8.1 yards per reception, gained 164 yards after the catch, posted three drops, went 9-for-14 on contested catches, and posted an impressive 106.6 passer rating when targeted.
In his second season, Gunnar Helm will compete against Daniel Bellinger to replace Chig Okonkwo as the team’s top tight end.
The Tennessee Titans breakout candidate shared his mindset for 2026
Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm fields questions from the media during training camp at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
During a press conference a few weeks ago, Gunnar Helm shared his goals and mindset for the 2026 NFL season, as reported by Mark Mihalko of Titans Wire. The tight end said he is approaching his second season with a “nothing-to-lose mindset,” similar to his rookie year. Helm added that he is playing more freely and with greater confidence.
“Yeah, I mean, I come in here just like a rookie. I mean, it’s almost like a nothing-to-lose mindset, except, you know, playing more freely, I feel. But as a rookie, to me it really was nothing to lose,” Helm said, via Mihalko.
Helm is considered a breakout candidate per Easton Freeze
“The Titans think they have that now with Daniel Bellinger as the TE2 to Gunnar Helm as the TE1. If Bellinger truly is here to do the dirty work for the Titans, moving around the formation and handling key blocking assignments, that should free up Gunnar Helm to graduate in his role as a receiver,” Freeze of A to Z Sports said.
“One of the most promising parts of Helm’s rookie season was the fact that he showed the ability to block inline as well as create mismatches down field. If that versatility grows, he could go from one of the most sure-handed and interesting rookies of 2025 to one of Cam Ward’s favorite targets in 2026. I wouldn’t be surprised if his production takes a significant leap.”
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