The Tennessee Titans are currently in somewhat of a transition year, although they certainly would never come right out and say that.
Sure, it’s not like head coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Ran Carthon are rolling over for the coming season, but it’s clear this team is trying to get its financial hose in order for 2024, when the team will be flush with cap space (approximately $93.8 million, per Over the Cap).
That’s evident by the moves Tennessee has made, most of which has the team betting on upside with cheaper players who have primarily played in backup roles but have shown the potential to do more.
If Tennessee can avoid making anymore decisions that impact their future cap space (DeAndre Hopkins might be one of those moves) while also staying competitive, things will be looking very bright next season.
But we have to get through 2023 first.
Here’s a look at how Tennessee is allocating its salary cap funds, position-by-position, where that ranks against the rest of the NFL and who the biggest cap hit at each position is.
Note: all figures courtesy of Spotrac unless otherwise noted.
Dead Money
2023 cap dollars: $36.5 million (per Over the Cap)
Percentage of cap: 15.9%
League rank: 7th
Biggest dead-cap hit: Bud Dupree ($10.85 million)
Entire Offense
2023 cap dollars: $89.4 million
Percentage of cap: 38.72%
League rank: 28th
Biggest cap hit: Ryan Tannehill ($36.6 million – 15.85%)
Quarterback
Note: Will Levis has yet to sign his rookie contract, so this figure only includes Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis. Even with Levis included, the Titans wouldn’t take the No. 1 spot from the Kansas City Chiefs.
2023 cap dollars: $37.7 million
Percentage of cap: 16.36%
League rank: 2nd
Biggest cap hit: Ryan Tannehill ($36.6 million)
Running back
2023 cap dollars: $21.04 million
Percentage of cap: 9.11%
League rank: 1st
Biggest cap hit: Derrick Henry ($16.36 million)
Wide Receiver
2023 cap dollars: $12.83 million
Percentage of cap: 5.56%
League rank: 31st
Biggest cap hit: Treylon Burks ($3.26 million)
Tight End
2023 cap dollars: $6.17 million
Percentage of cap: 2.87%
League rank: 28th
Biggest cap hit: Trevon Wesco ($1.09 million)
Offensive Line
2023 cap dollars: $24.36 million
Percentage of cap: 10.55%
League rank: 30th
Biggest cap hit: Aaron Brewer ($4.30 million)
Entire Defense
2023 cap dollars: $99.22 million
Percentage of cap: 42.97%
League rank: 14th
Biggest cap hit: Kevin Byard ($19.62 million)
Defensive line
2023 cap dollars: $27.49 million
Percentage of cap: 11.91%
League rank: 27th
Biggest cap hit: Denico Autry ($9.10 million)
Linebacker (Inside and Outside)
2023 cap dollars: $34.08 million
Percentage of cap: 14.76%
League rank: 9th
Biggest cap hit: Harold Landry ($18.8 million)
Cornerback
2023 cap dollars: $13.96 million
Percentage of cap: 6.05%
League rank: 28th
Biggest cap hit: Caleb Farley ($3.68 million)
Safety
2023 cap dollars: $33.98 million
Percentage of cap: 14.72%
League rank: 2nd
Biggest cap hit: Kevin Byard ($19.62 million)
Specialists
2023 cap dollars: $3.58 million
Percentage of cap: 1.55%
League rank: 29th
Biggest cap hit: Morgan Cox ($1.09 million)
