Why tagging Harold Landry does not make sense for the Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE — Edge rusher Harold Landry will not receive the franchise tag from the Tennessee Titans ahead of the 2022 season. The 25-year old will become an unrestricted free agent when the new NFL year begins. Pass rushers in their prime are easy to come by, right? Landry has been everything Tennessee could ask for […]
NASHVILLE — Edge rusher Harold Landry will not receive the franchise tag from the Tennessee Titans ahead of the 2022 season. The 25-year old will become an unrestricted free agent when the new NFL year begins.
Pass rushers in their prime are easy to come by, right?
Landry has been everything Tennessee could ask for over his four-year career. 2021 proved to be his best statistical season with 12 sacks and 22 quarterback hits. The Titans have been able to consistently rely upon Landry's presence on their defensive front.
So, after not missing a game since becoming a full-time starter, why is Tennessee not doing everything in its power to keep a homegrown talent at a premium position?
Titans already gave out the top tier pass rush contract
Every team wants to keep all of their best players every year.
The Titans have expressed their interest in keeping Landry around with the front of Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry and Bud Dupree. Dupree, however, might remain on this roster at the expense of Landry. Coming off a torn ACL, the former Pittsburgh Steeler signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal to come to Tennessee only one offseason ago.
"It is very rare," salary cap expert Michael Ginnitti of spotrac.com said of a team paying two edge players top-of-market salaries. "Even if (the team) thinks they messed up on Part 1. I think you have to get through that and understand where you are with one more season of Dupree before you make a big move like this."
The tag figure for Landry would have been $18.7 million in 2022. Dupree is set to count against the Titans cap for $19.2 million in the same season.
Landry could still end up a Titan
General manager Jon Robinson and coach Mike Vrabel want to bring Landry back for next season.
"We love Harold (Landry), and we want to try to keep Harold," Robinson told me at the combine. "But that balance of 'how far can you go' is something that we have to be mindful of and we have to work through."
Keeping that pass rush together would go along way for Tennessee in 2022. Among their opponents next season is the AFC West, featuring quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr, Justin Herbert and the newly acquired Russell Wilson.
Either way, Landry is about to get paid.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
