Kyle Philips says he is having 'a lot more fun' in 2023

Tennessee Titans second-year wide receiver Kyle Phillips is making the most of a healthy offseason after an injury-riddled rookie year.

The former fifth-round draft choice and UCLA Bruins product opened up on his journey through his first NFL season and how his injury changed his perspective on the game and how he sees himself as a player.

“Last year I came in as a rookie, real nervous, new team, a bunch of guys I didn’t know,” Philips said, via the Titans’ team website. “Now it feels a lot different. I am a lot more comfortable with the coaches, and all the guys around here. I know more about what to expect. So, I am having a lot more fun.”

Philips joined the team in a time where Tennessee was lacking at the wide receiver position following the departures of star wideouts AJ Brown and Julio Jones, meaning he had a real shot at competing for minutes as a rookie. Injuries plauged his first season in the pros, though, and finished the season with eight receptions for 78 yards. He will look to haul in his first NFL touchdown entering year two after appearing in just four games last year.

Still, the Titans wideout believes his injury is a one-off. The former UCLA star expects to remain healthy entering his second season with Tennessee.

“I don’t get hurt too often, but it happened and it’s out of the way now. I was able to take what I could from it, grow from it, and learn going forward,” Philips said. “This offseason has been putting good healthy weight on, learning this offense, conditioning, running routes and getting used to new teammates.”

Philips said he plans to put weight on throughout the offseason, but intends to maintain his quickness. He called it a “steady process.” If he can do that, he can gain some notariety around the league. He labeled himself a potential “forgotten guy,” to some — but isn’t focused on any outside perspectives. Instead, he’s committing to weight training, learning the offense, and just getting better every day, one step at a time.

He is sure to get his shot to prove his worth during the Titans’ preseason. Philips has opportunities against the Chicago Bears, the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots to prove why he deserves to be one of the regular rotation receivers for Tennessee during the 2023 NFL season.