Positional Financials for the Tennessee Titans

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertJuly 16, 2023
Share
#tennessee titans
© USA TODAY Sports

The Titans won the bidding war for WR DeAndre Hopkins, who joins Tennessee on a 2 year, $26M contract this summer. Our look at our how the rest of the roster shapes up financially heading toward camp.

Tennessee entered the week with an estimated $8.3M of Top 51 cap space. Early reports claim that Hopkins' new contract contains $12M cash in 2023, though it's not currently clear if bonuses or void years have been integrated to temper the 2023 cap figure (likely). 

Should the Titans require additional cap space to finish off their summer, QB Ryan Tannehill, LB Harold Landry, CB Kevin Byard, RB Derrick Henry, & DE Denico Autry carry sizable base salaries that can open up ample room as needed.

Quarterbacks

35-year-old Ryan Tannehill enters Year 12 on an expiring contract, set to earn $27M cash against a $36.6M cap hit for 2023. Tennessee has drafted a potential future QB1 in each of the past two drafts, but early reports claim that Malik Willis is a roster bubble candidate this summer, and that Will Levis is still a bit of a project in work.

With ample weapons now available around him, can Tannehill play his way into another contract with the Titans this winter?

Running Backs

Like Tannehill, Derrick Henry enters 2023 on an expiring contract, set to earn $10.5M in his 8th NFL season. His $16.6M cap figure is easily the highest among all running backs this year (Nick Chubb, $14.8M), and two void years already have $4.7M more allocated to 2024.

Behind Henry, #81 overall pick Tyjae Spears is projected to vie for action, while Hassan Haskins, a 2022 4th-rounder could also find himself in the mix.

Despite a wealth of production in 2022 (1,900+ yards from scrimmage, 13 TDs), 29-year-old Derrick Henry is likely heading for his final season in Tennessee.

Wide Receivers

The Titans won the bidding war for DeAndre Hopkins this summer, landing him on a 2 year, $26M base contract that can escalate as much as $3M per year thanks to incentives for receptions, yards, & touchdowns. The price point falls inline with or predicted value for Hopkins on the late open market, with Tennessee always being a top landing spot for the 31-year-old. It remains to be seen just how structurally strong the 2024 portion of his contract comes in at.

Hopkins’ signing takes a load off of 2022 #18 overall pick Treylon Burks, who caught 33 passes, including 1 TD in 11 games last season. Burks holds 3 fully guaranteed years plus a 5th-year option on his rookie contract going forward. Nick Westbrook should remain a factor in the passing game despite the addition of Hopkins.

Tight Ends

2022 4th rounder Chig Okonkwo should win the starting role out of the gate this summer with a non-guaranteed 3 year, $2.95M rookie contract still remaining. Elsewhere, 2023 5th rounder Josh Whyle & veteran Trevon Wesco should factor into the season. Tennessee is living light here in 2023.

Offensive Line

The Titans signed Andre Dillard (3 years, $29M) away from Philly this March to take over the left tackle role from departing Taylor Lewan, then drafted Peter Skoronski #11 overall to continue the rebuild on the fly. Skoronski could open the year on the starting line either as a Right Tackle or Guard.

Elsewhere, Daniel Brunskill was brought over from San Francisco, while starting center Aaron Brewer is entering a contract year in Tennessee.

Defensive Line

Jeffery Simmons was part of sizeable increase to the defensive tackle market this spring, locking in a 4 year, $94M extension that included nearly $60M practically guaranteed.

Nose Tackle Teair Tart is set to play out a $4.3M restricted tender, with unrestricted free agency pending next March, while veteran Denico Autry enters a contract year, set to earn $7.25M against a $9.1M cap hit in 2023.

Edge Defenders

A minute after signing a 5 year, $87.5M extension ($52.5M guaranteed), Harold Landry tore an ACL, shelving his entire 2022 campaign, and all of this offseason thus far. He’s questionable to be ready for Week 1 right now based on reports, but is fully guaranteed through the 2024 season contractually speaking.

Arden Key, who was signed away from Jacksonville on a 3 year, $21M contract ($13M guaranteed), should slot into the Sam Linebacker spot this season

Linebackers

Azeez Al-Shaair joins after starting 20 games for the 49ers over the last two seasons. He’s on a 1 year “showcase” contract for all intents and purposes.

2021 3rd rounder Monty Rice enters Year 3 of his rookie contract, with a non-guaranteed 2 year, $2.42M deal ahead of him.

Secondary

The Titans reportedly approached Kevin Byard about taking a pay cut to remain rostered this offseason, but those discussions appear to have subsided. Byard is due $14.1M against a $19.6M cap hit in 2023, with a non-guaranteed $14.1M also remaining in 2024. The near 30-year-old has 9 INTs in the last two seasons.

25-year-old Amani Hooker enters Year 2 of a 4 year, $32.5M contract, after missing nearly half of 2022 due to injury. His $6.185M base salary for 2023 is the last remaining early guarantee on the deal.

2022 #35 overall pick Roger McCreary should provide strong financial value, while 2020 2nd rounder Kristian Fulton is entering a contract year this season.

Special Teams

2022 UDFA Caleb Shudak & 2023 UDFA Trey Wolff should compete for the starting kicking role out of camp, while 2022 UDFA Ryan Stonehouse will retain the punting duties for the upcoming campaign. Morgan Cox returns for a 3rd season in Tennessee, his 14th overall.


#tennessee titans
Top