The Tennessee Titans have some key players entering contract years in 2020, but will any of those players get a contract extension prior to the season?
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, there are two possibilities: inside linebacker Jayon Brown, who is in the last year of his rookie deal, and running back Derrick Henry, who is currently franchise tagged.
Here are Graziano’s write-ups on both players, and then we’ll follow that up with another player he didn’t mention but should have.
Henry:
“Another designated franchise player, Henry is locked in for one year and $10.3 million if he and the Titans don’t reach an extension deal by July 15. Henry could be a real test case for the RB market. He’s essential to the team’s offensive identity, but the way he runs lends itself to significant wear and tear, which is a big reason teams don’t like to pay running backs. Making $9 million more this year than the Cook/Mixon/Kamara group probably keeps Henry from being a holdout threat. But if no deal is done and they franchise him again next year for $12.36 million, he’ll find himself in the same position Le’Veon Bell was in with the Steelers in 2018. Remember, Bell sat out that entire year and became a free agent when it ended. Henry could go that route, but probably not until 2021.”
Brown:
“The 2017 fifth-round pick has developed into a critical part of the Titans’ defense and should get a nice extension as he heads into the final year of his rookie deal.”
Graziano nailed both of those on the head.
Henry has become the heart and soul of the Titans’ offense, and while no contract extension has been reached yet, talks remain positive and there is optimism for a deal to get done before the July 15 deadline.
Brown remains one of the biggest steals of the 2017 NFL Draft. Selected in the fifth round, the UCLA product has become one of the most important players on the team’s defense and is an elite coverage linebacker.
I’d also add tight end Jonnu Smith to the mix of players who could receive an extension prior to 2020.
Like Brown, Smith is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is primed to have his best season as a pro now that Delanie Walker is no longer soaking up a large portion of snaps after he was cut this offseason.
Adding to that, Smith has been working out with quarterback Ryan Tannehill during the offseason down in South Florida, which should help their chemistry and lead to more looks for the young tight end.
The Titans might be better off inking Smith to an extension before the season, as a breakout campaign would make him far more expensive and could set up a bidding war on the open market.
Titans general manager Jon Robinson has shown impressive foresight in the past, so we’ll have to see if he displays that once again by inking one, two, or all of these players at some point during the summer.
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