Three Titans players who could be cut for salary cap relief
LT Andre Dillard Left tackle Andre Dillard is a shoe-in to be cut by the Titans this offseason. Only $3 million of Dillard's base salary ($9 million) is guaranteed for the 2024 season, but if Dillard remains on the Titans roster beyond March 13th, another $3 million will become guaranteed. After signing a three-year deal […]
LT Andre Dillard
Left tackle Andre Dillard is a shoe-in to be cut by the Titans this offseason. Only $3 million of Dillard's base salary ($9 million) is guaranteed for the 2024 season, but if Dillard remains on the Titans roster beyond March 13th, another $3 million will become guaranteed.
After signing a three-year deal last offseason, Dillard allowed 12 sacks, 41 pressures, and was penalized five times in 12 games played in 2023. He was often a detriment to Tennessee's offense, and it became apparent he was not a starting caliber t
Of the 70 offensive tackles to play 500+ offensive snaps in 2023, Dillard was 67th in PFF pass blocking grade (47.4).
The question for me is not if Dillard is cut, but when Dillard is cut. The Titans can either save $2.886 million against the cap by cutting him before June 1st or designate Dillard as a Post-June 1st cut for a total of $6.48 million in 2024 cap savings.
It likely will depend on how bad Tennessee needs the money. By taking less savings this year, the Titans will have more cap flexibility in 2025.
LB Luke Gifford
Linebacker Luke Gifford is pretty much a toss up for me. The 28-year-old veteran signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Titans last offseason, but only played in 11 games and recorded just six tackles in 2023.
Gifford's value is only on special teams as he played just eight (8) defensive snaps all season.
The Titans would save nearly $2 million by cutting Gifford, making him one of the team's more expendable players. The question is…is it really worth it?
It feels unlikely that Tennessee will use all $60 million of cap space in one offseason. If the team isn't strapped for cash, Gifford could just as easily return to the Titans' special teams unit for an insignificant cost.
DB Elijah Molden
Another player being mentioned as a potential cut candidate is defensive back Elijah Molden, who is going into the fourth and final year of his rookie contract.
After missing the vast majority of the 2022 season, Molden returned to health in 2023 and played 15 games in the Titans' secondary. The 25-year-old made the move to safety and recorded one interception, one touchdown, one forced fumble, and a career-high 73 tackles on the season.
Cutting Molden would save the Titans nearly $3 million agains the 2024 cap, but I really don't see the benefit in doing this one.
We already know that Tennessee is thin in the secondary. Outside of Molden, Amani Hooker, and Roger McCreary, the Titans don't have many defensive backs with NFL experience. It's a position group they will undoubtedly look to make additions to this offseason, so why cut some of your depth there in the name of $3 million?
Best case scenario, new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson helps Molden take his game to the next level and the Titans get a starting safety for under market value. Worst case scenario, the Titans are out an insignificant sum of money that wouldn't prohibit them from signing the free agents they covet.
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