The Titans' three most team-friendly contracts
It’s always about the money in the NFL offseason. For every team in the league the salary cap presents a challenge when building a roster for the upcoming season. The goal: Do your best to stay under the $208.2 million allotment while putting together a team capable of competing for the Super Bowl. The Tennessee […]
It’s always about the money in the NFL offseason. For every team in the league the salary cap presents a challenge when building a roster for the upcoming season. The goal: Do your best to stay under the $208.2 million allotment while putting together a team capable of competing for the Super Bowl.
The Tennessee Titans and General Manager Jon Robinson are no different. To make the money work not just for this year, but with the team’s future in mind as well, difficult decisions must be made. But on every team there are a handful contracts that are labelled team-friendly.
Let’s take a look at the Titans’ best three contracts on the defensive side of the football.
1. DL Jeffery Simmons
Contract: Four years / $12,663,754
Yearly average: $3,165,939
2022: $2,221,875 base salary; $4,029,376 cap hit
There is not a single contract on the Titans’ payroll that can hold a candle to Simmons’ deal. Playing in his fourth year of his rookie contract, Simmons won’t be this cheap for much longer. The Titans picked up his fifth-year option, but it is likely the two sides will reach an agreement on an extension prior to the 2023 season.
Simmons (24) has emerged as one of the NFL’s best defensive players under the age of 25. He was named to his first Pro Bowl after a career-year in 2021. Simmons started in all 17 games, totaling 8.5 sacks and 12 TFLs. If he is able to replicate this type of production, Simmons could be carrying a price tag close to $20 million per year in his next deal.
2. CB Kristian Fulton
Contract: Four years / $5,330,192
Yearly Average: $1,332,548
2022: $1,094,563 base salary; $1,453,689 cap hit
Like Simmons, Fulton is also currently playing on his rookie contract. Fulton’s second year in the NFL was a productive one, showing the Titans that he is capable of being the team’s No. 1 cornerback for the future.
Fulton’s rookie deal spans four years, but does not include a fifth-year option as he was a second-round draft pick. If Fulton is able to develop into a Pro Bowl caliber cornerback like his trajectory suggests, he will command quite a bit of attention if he intends to test the market after the 2023 season.
3. DL Denico Autry
Contract: Three years / $21,500,000
Yearly average: $7,166,667
2022: $6,150,00 base salary; $8,650,000 cap hit
Autry’s ninth season in the NFL, and first with the Titans, went about as well as anybody could’ve expected. He tied his career-high with nine sacks and proved to be a pivotal piece to the Titans run defense.
For the first time since 2017, Autry appeared in every regular season game. His presence alone was enough to allow Harold Landry and Bud Dupree to wreak havoc on the edge.
The Titans will have a decision to make following the 2022 season as there is a potential out in his contract, per Spotrac. With Autry’s cap hit in 2023 scheduled to total $9,250,000, Tennessee could ultimately decide to part ways. If the team opts to do so, it comes with a $2 million cost in dead cap, but would save the team over $7 million.
Featured image via Troy Taormina – USA TODAY Sports
