As we saw with Ben Jones and Kevin Byard in 2019, the Tennessee Titans aren’t afraid to lock up some of their more important players before their free-agent year.
Both Jones and Byard were signed to contract extensions prior to last season, with Byard’s in particular being quite a hefty sum of money.
Will we see more extensions handed out this offseason?
Who knows, but there are four players Tennessee could explore extensions with before they hit free agency in 2021.
Derrick Henry
The is the most obvious one. Henry is currently set to play the 2020 season out on the franchise tag, making $10.2 million. However, both sides plan on continuing to work on a long-term deal through the summer.
Getting something worked out could provide the Titans with immediate cap relief if Henry’s average salary number is less than the franchise tag. On the flip side, Henry would have the long-term security he’s looking for.
One way or the other, I believe something gets done with Henry to keep him in Nashville for the long haul because he is incredibly important to a Titans offense that thrives off of play-action.
Jayon Brown
Brown has emerged as an elite coverage linebacker in the NFL and he’s a tackle machine, as the UCLA product has finished second and third on the team in tackles the last two seasons.
Making those numbers more impressive is the fact that he wasn’t a full-time starter in 2018 and he missed two games in 2019.
A former fifth-round pick, Brown is coming up on the last year of his rookie deal in 2020. The Titans would be wise to not let him hit the open market next offseason to avoid an expensive bidding war for a great young player who will draw a ton of interest.
Jonnu Smith
Smith took a big step forward during the 2019 season. Not only did he flash his ability as a serious playmaker in the Titans’ offense, but he also showed that there could be life after Delanie Walker.
As Smith is set to enter the 2020 season as the team’s undisputed starter at tight end, Tennessee should lock him up sooner rather than later.
It’s quite possible Smith blows up this season, which would obviously make him more expensive. The Titans could get him for much cheaper if they extend him before that happens.
DaQuan Jones
Jones is probably the least likely to get his contract extended this offseason, but we can’t rule it out as he comes up on the final year of his three-year, $21 million contract.
If the Jurrell Casey trade showed anything, it’s that the Titans are looking to get younger and cheaper upfront.
While he’s still under 30, Jones doesn’t figure to come cheap, as his improved play could have him making close to or more than the $8.3 million he’ll collect this season.
I fully expect the Titans to take a defensive lineman in this draft in order to plan for a future without Jones in it.
