To Extend, Or Not Extend, The Titans Current Dilemma

The Tennessee Titans are in the big-time free agent sweepstakes, but the question is, do they have enough cash to close the deal?

Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Titans are currently sitting on only $7,992,260 million in camp cash to spend on any potential free-agent additions. However, that might not be enough to make a difference with the top remaining player on the open market. 

It's well known that the team can gain more cash if need be by extending the contracts of some of their highest-paid players, including Kevin Byard, Harold Landry, or someone like quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who currently has the highest salary on the roster.   

Tannehill's 2023 cap number is a whopping $36,600,000 million from a base salary of $27,000,000. Extending this deal could clear up more than enough cash to sign a top-tier wide receiver or more players at needed positions. 

However, with that extension comes more years of Tannehill tied to the Titans roster, whereas, without an extension, his time here will likely end following the coming season. 

That begs the question, should the Titans explore this option, thus tying themselves to Tannehill beyond this season, or allow his deal to run out?

It's a tough call, but with some creative financial movements, it is a deal that could be worked out for both sides. 

Let's suppose the Titans decide to make such a move. They could use the extension to change his salary to a signing bonus due immediately, plus add voidable years to the back end of his deal. This could allow them to lower his current salary to a more manageable figure this season. Still, it would potentially add another season to his stay in Nashville before the voidable years would come into play.      

Adding another season to his deal will not sit well with a segment of the fanbase. Still, if his cap number entering the 2024 season is more reasonable, there could be the potential for a trade, or if not, at least he wouldn't be grossly overpaid as a backup should the team decide to move to Will Levis as the starter. 

Let's face it, Tannehill is a solid guy, a good teammate, and a veteran leader. Having him around one more season wouldn't be a bad thing, in my opinion. And he could be a valuable trade commodity for any team that might be in need of a starting signal caller.  

Lastly, Tannehill would likely be receptive to such a move as it would add to his bottom line immediately, and allow for him to solidify his future for another year. 

It's a win, win for both the player and the organization, and it should be at the top of the Titans to-do list if they want to gain some more spending cash. 

 

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