Why the Titans should not wait to extend A.J. Brown this offseason
Since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown has already established himself amongst the league’s top receivers. As he is set to enter the final year of his rookie deal in 2022, Brown joins fellow receivers Deebo Samuel and D.K. Metcalf as three of the […]
Since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown has already established himself amongst the league’s top receivers. As he is set to enter the final year of his rookie deal in 2022, Brown joins fellow receivers Deebo Samuel and D.K. Metcalf as three of the biggest candidates for an early contract extension.
104.5 The Zone’s Buck Reising reflects on Brown’s past three years with the Titans, saying, “A.J. Brown has been one of the most impressive players in the NFL. He leads the league as far as yards per route run since he came into the NFL.”
In fact, no receiver in NFL history holds a candle to Brown’s 2.53 yards per route run through the first three years of their career.
Extending Brown’s contract is one of the many important decisions Titans General Manager Jon Robinson must make over the course of what many consider to be the most important offseason in franchise history. However, it takes two to tango when it comes to contract negotiations.
In each of Brown’s first two seasons in the league, the receiver out of Ole Miss eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving while hauling in 19 touchdowns. However in 2021, Brown’s production took a dip as the 24-year-old missed four games due to injury, putting up career lows in yards (869) and touchdowns (5).
While the Titans would like to lock Brown up for the foreseeable future, his agent, Jimmy Sexton, could convince him to opt to play the fourth and final year of his rookie deal out in order to maximize his value for the 2023 offseason.
Spotrac.com currently lists Brown’s market value to be in the range of a four-year contract worth $69.2M ($17.3 per year). While there is certainly room for negotiating, that deal would place Brown amongst the top 10 highest paid receivers in football.
Brown is set to make $3.9M in 2022, but whether it comes this offseason or the next, extending one of the Titans’ most talented receivers in franchise history should be a no-brainer. Reising analyzes Brown as the complete package, saying, “He’s insanely productive, he’s insanely competitive, and he’s one of the most complete receivers in the NFL right now.”
Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel – USA TODAY Sports
