One small benefit to the Titans is the fact that Jameis Winston likely isn’t going to be getting a mega-contract from the Bucs with his current off-the-field issues, so there will be one fewer contract to one-up for Mariota’s agents. ![]() Besides, quarterback contracts will continue to skyrocket as long as there aren’t enough good QBs to go around. There is no doubt that Ryan is more accomplished than Mariota, but the Titans QB is younger and has shown tremendous potential for the majority of his 3-year career to this point despite a less than stellar supporting cast. The average annual salaries for quarterbacks hit the $30M mark with Matt Ryan’s 5-year, $150M extension earlier this offseason and you can expect Mariota’s deal to top that number. Franchise quarterbacks are the NFL’s most valuable asset and it’s reflected in their pay. The Titans picked up Mariota’s 5th year option on his rookie deal earlier this offseason which means he is now officially under contract through the 2019 season. However, both of those potential contracts would be dwarfed by the looming Marcus Mariota extension. I think the floor for any long term deal would start at Reshad Jones’ 5-year, $60M contract. ![]() That throne currently belongs to Eric Berry who signed a 6-year, $78M deal before the start of the 2017 season. If Byard’s 2018 performance is anywhere close to his First-Team All-Pro season a year ago, his agent will have a real argument to make him the top paid safety in the NFL. Though his rookie contract runs through the end of the 2019 season, it seems likely that the team would try to lock him up to a long term deal by the end of next summer. Those qualities have allowed him to quickly become an instrumental piece of the Titans defense. Kevin Byard’s first two seasons as a pro have been outstanding and he already has his new coaching staff raving about his preparation and leadership. The next two major contracts are unlikely to come this offseason, but will probably get done before the start of the 2019 season. That contract ultimately led to the ugly break up between the Titans and McNair when the ridiculous $23.46M cap hit came due in 2006. *In reality this deal was a restructuring cap maneuver made by former GM Floyd Reese to try to squeeze one or two more runs out of that early 2000’s Super Bowl window. That would make it the second largest contract ever handed out by the franchise behind only Steve McNair’s 6-year, $112M deal* signed in 2004. Based on the recent contracts handed out to other top offensive linemen in Andrew Norwell, Zack Martin, and Nate Solder, I would expect the numbers to come in around 5-6 years with $15-17M per year and about 50-60% of the total dollars guaranteed. When the deal gets done it will almost certainly make Lewan the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL. Lewan’s contract has been the talk of the Titans offseason and for good reason. The biggest of the decisions center around stars coming to end of their rookie contracts in Lewan, Mariota, and Byard. ![]() In fact, I’d argue that 7 or 8 of the team’s top 10 players are listed above. That’s 13 of 22 starters that the Titans brass could be making long term commitments to (or deciding to walk away from) in the next 12 months and it’s a group that includes many of the team’s best players. Robinson will also need to decide whether or not to pick up the 5th year option on Jack Conklin’s rookie contract next spring and could even face decisions on what to do with Logan Ryan, Wesley Woodyard, and Ben Jones in this time frame. In addition to that group - which includes 7 projected starters in Taylor Lewan, Delanie Walker, Brian Orakpo, Derrick Morgan, Rishard Matthews, Bennie Logan, and Quinton Spain - the team is entering contract extension range for Marcus Mariota, Kevin Byard, and Derrick Henry next offseason. ![]() Last weekend Jimmy Morris highlighted the 11 players who may be playing their last season in Tennessee. The Tennessee Titans franchise is coming to a fork in the road over the next 12 months and the path that Jon Robinson takes will set the course for the roster for years to come.
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