On Wednesday morning, a report emerged that veteran pass rusher Harold Landry is leaving Nashville after many years of service. After six seasons of great productivity, the Titans are ready to part ways with one of its homegrown defensive stars. How could this move affect the team in the future? What kind of return could the team expect from this parting of ways? The answers await a new man defining the franchise’s present and future.
Note: All statistics are courtesy of Pro Football Reference
Report: Tennessee Titans to Part Ways With Defensive Star
The decision to part ways with Landry has been speculated about for a long time since it was obvious that the organization needed a rebuild. Now, with a new general manager in charge, after the previous one who inherited Landry left, it’s a stark reminder. Landry produced 50.5 sacks in seven seasons of mostly healthy play, including three consecutive campaigns of nine or more. He missed the 2022 season after tearing his ACL in training camp but bounced back with 19.5 sacks in the two seasons since. There’s still juice left for his new team to squeeze out of him, whether by trade or release. A few teammates will miss his presence after the Titans part ways with their star pass rusher.
How Does It Affect the Titans’ salary cap?
According to OverTheCap, the Titans enter the new league year with ample cap space to do whatever they need to. They have a shade over $51 million in room before deciding how to proceed from Landry. The ramifications change over which option they ultimately choose.
Cut Pre 6-1 / Trade Pre 6-1
If the Titans cut or traded him with a pre-6/1 designation, they would assume a $13 million dead cap hit while freeing up $10.95 million in cap room.
Cut Post 6-1 / Trade Post 6-1
If they went this route, the Titans would gain much more room and assume less dead cap. They would take $6.5 million in dead cap space but gain back $17.5 million.
What Could Be the Return In a Trade?
Optimistically, it could be a late Day 2 selection, but with the immense depth of the EDGE class, the Titans would be lucky to do so. The compensation could also be determined by how much of Landry’s contract the team decides to eat. An early to middle Day 3 draft choice (Rounds 4-5) could be the result. Teams know they could sign him outright and not give up anything for Landry. Tennessee doesn’t have a lot of leverage in this situation but will attempt to parlay it into something worthwhile.
Who Could Be the Replacement?
Draft
Lo and behold, the Titans hold the first overall selection, and wouldn’t you know it, arguably the best player in the draft is a pass rusher. That pass rusher also wants the distinction and honor of being the first overall selection. Should Tennessee elect to make Abdul Carter’s dreams come true, he would be a ready-made replacement immediately. However, the EDGE class is voluminous and has options well into the latter stages of the draft. Names like Princely Umanmielen, Landon Jackson, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Mike Green, Shemar Stewart, Nic Scourton, and Kyle Kennard are just a few.
Free Agency
The market is expected to be populated by high-priced names like Josh Sweat, Khalil Mack, Chase Young, and Demarcus Lawrence. Middle-tier names, including Matthew Judon, Josh Uche, and Charles Omenihu, could also hit free agency, so the Titans aren’t without options should they choose. However, they likely invest in their pass rush through the draft.
Main Photo: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
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