ESPN predicts how much an extension for Titans WR AJ Brown will cost
The Tennessee Titans' main objective this offseason is extending wide receiver AJ Brown. Tennessee wants to keep Brown in Nashville long-term. But for now, it appears that the Titans don't want to pay Brown more than $20 million a year (at least according to Brown's comments during a phone call with San Francisco 49ers wide […]
The Tennessee Titans' main objective this offseason is extending wide receiver AJ Brown.
Tennessee wants to keep Brown in Nashville long-term. But for now, it appears that the Titans don't want to pay Brown more than $20 million a year (at least according to Brown's comments during a phone call with San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel that was posted on social media recently).
Despite those comments from Brown, the feeling is still that Tennessee and the stud wide receiver will agree on a new contract this offseason.
And it will likely be for more than $20 million a year.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell noted this week that if Tennessee doesn't extend Brown and instead places the franchise tag on Brown in 2023 and 2024 (his current contract expires after the 2022 season), it would cost the Titans around $44 million total.
Barnwell also pointed out that quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry received extensions from Tennessee with an annual average value that was 9 percent more than a two-tag total. That would place Brown's value around $24 million a year if the Titans follow the same formula with him that they used with Tannehill and Henry.
And that's exactly the deal that Barnwell thinks Brown will end up receiving from the Titans.
"I'm willing to bet Brown ends up signing a deal with Tennessee around that average of $24 million per season," wrote Barnwell. "He also is the most likely wide receiver in this group to produce something truly spectacular in the years to come."
Barnwell projects that Brown will receive a four-year deal from the Titans worth $96 million, which is basically the same deal the Buffalo Bills just gave wider receiver Stefon Diggs (who is a little over four years older than Brown).
This would be right in line with what the rest of the NFL is doing. When the Titans say they are committed to keeping Brown, they know that a deal worth less than $20 million a year isn't going to get it done. What we're seeing right now is the business side of football. Neither side is going to give in early. But sides want the best deal possible and sometimes that takes a little while to work out.
Ultimately, I'd be shocked if this deal doesn't get done before training camp starts.
Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
