Tennessee Titans roster moves are not over yet
Tennessee is salary cap compliant, but that does not mean they have enough breathing room.
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans are still entirely too tight against the 2023 salary cap. Several options remain to clear financial space.
That things have quieted down at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park should not be taken as a sign that this year's roster cull is over yet.
According to OverTheCap.com, Tennessee has $11.02 million in cap space heading into this coming season. General manager Ran Carthon has done a considerable amount of leg work this offseason just to get the Titans cap compliant. With a rookie draft class that will need to be accounted for as well as a pool of money for practice squad players and in-season injuries, more difficult decisions will be required.
Carthon has not yet restructured any of the contracts of running back Derrick Henry, quarterback Ryan Tannnehill or safety Kevin Byard.
All three are considered fundamental building blocks of Tennessee's last successful seasons. Tannehill and Henry enter the year on expiring deals with cap hits of $36.6 million and $16.36 million respectively. Byard's five-year extension he signed in 2019 has already been restructured twice since the deal was done in previous offseasons, which is why his $19.62 million 2023 cap charge looks the way that it does.
Extended Tannehill, Henry or both through 2024 makes enough sense to seriously consider it.
Henry's value to the Titans is far higher than it would be for any other team he might play for in the NFL. While he is still showing signs of competing at a high level, the former Heisman Trophy-winner is what the current roster is still largely built around. There is no sense in trading Henry unless the draft compensation is substantial.
Tannehill's fate will likely be decided on April 27, when the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft begins.
If Tennessee is in the rookie quarterback market, the goal would be to ride out the coming season with the veteran as the starter ahead of a developmental player. A second-year transition to an inexpensive, young passer's contract to further build a roster around would be ideal. An extension would be tolerable, but not unless absolutely necessary.
The Titans should be ready to rip the band-aid off.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
