Titans' Lewis: Patriots 'didn't think I was good enough to be there'

Dion Lewis is looking to make noise in Music City while playing for the Tennessee Titans, but the running back appeared to be left with a sour tune after departing from the New England Patriots.

Lewis is coming off a career-best 896-yard rushing season to go along with 32 receptions for 214 yards and nine total touchdowns in 2017 with the Patriots. The 5-foot-8 Lewis was allowed to walk by New England before signing a four-year, $20 million contract with the Titans.

"I'm happy with the decision, and this is the decision I would've made even if they did offer," Lewis told the Boston Globe. "If they wanted me, they could've had me.

"But obviously, they didn't want me, they didn't think I was good enough to be there. I just had to move on and do what's best for me."

Lewis admitted that the perceived slight will fuel his motivation.

"I always carry a chip on my shoulder, always eager to prove the kind of player I am," the 27-year-old Lewis said, "and that's not going to change just because I got a contract. I'm self-motivated. I feel like I'm a great player and I'm always eager to show what type of player I am.

"I get more mad at myself than the coaches get mad at me. I'm extremely hard on myself and I expect a lot. And I think that I can do a lot better than I did last year.

"That's what most of my motivation comes from -- I know that I could raise my game to another level and I look forward to being able to do that here."

Lewis figures to handle change-of-pace duties as the complement to rugged Derrick Henry, who takes over the primary role after the Titans released DeMarco Murray.