Although Denico Autry is in his age-33 season and serves as something of a sidekick in the Titans’ front seven, anchored by Jeffery Simmons And Harold Landry, commercial interest has arisen. Since Autry is in a contract year, teams view him as a deadline buy.
The 10th-year defensive lineman has become something of a hot name ahead of the Oct. 31 deadline, notes Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post. If the Titans are willing to release the veteran pass rusher, it would be an interesting market, adds Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com.
During a period where the Titans missed a few pass rushers – Bud Dupree, Jadeveon Clowney, Vic Beasley, Cameron Wake – now ousted GM Jon Robinson It was good for him to bring in Autry, who, despite being in his mid-30s, is a key part of Tennessee’s defense. Autry signed a three-year, $21.5 million contract before his age-31 season. The deal came the same week the Titans overpaid Dupree. But Autry helped make up for that miss by totaling 17 sacks and 37 quarterback hits between the 2021 and 2022 seasons. So far this year, the versatile D-lineman has recorded four sacks and nine QB hits.
Autry is tied to a base salary of $6.75 million, giving other teams a price tag of just over $3 million to pony up in the event of a trade after Week 8. A former Raiders UDFA who was a late starter, Autry did his best work in the AFC South. A mid-career stint with the Colts boosted his market in 2021, and he hasn’t slowed down with the Titans. Getting another mid-level contract in 2024 is likely on the table for Autry, but the question now will be whether the Titans like an offer enough to move on early.
Tennessee acted Kevin Byard to Philadelphia on Monday, a move that will likely prompt teams to evaluate whether the 2-4 club will be willing to shed more pieces. Ryan Tannehill‘s expected absence in Week 8 will create a strange scenario Will Levis And Malik Willis each game – perhaps alternating series, per Mike Vrabel – against the Falcons. That may be intentional to showcase Willis, with Fowler adding that the second-year QB is more likely to be dealt than Tannehill. The latter’s injury makes it almost certain that he will remain in Tennessee for the remainder of the season, but with the 35-year-old passer’s contract expiring, the Titans will soon have big questions to answer at the position. Considering Willis’ early form, the Titans won’t get close to the No. 86 overall pick they invested last year.
Derrick Henry joins Tannehill and Autry on an expiring contract. The Titans added Tannehill and Henry again in the 2020 offseason, trading and then extending Henry in July of that year. The dominant running back was lightly mentioned in pre-draft trade rumors, but a report last week suggested the team was more likely to stick with the potential Hall of Famer. But Fowler views Henry as a player the Titans would likely consider trading, adding that some league officials believed the team was willing to do so this offseason.
The two-time rushing champion received a raise for the 2022 season but remains committed to the four-year, $50 million extension he signed three summers ago. Henry, 29, plays with a salary of $10.5 million. With more than $5.5 million due between Weeks 9 and 18, the Titans would run into a problem trying to move on from one of their all-time greats. Executives around the league expect this to be such a big obstacle that Tennessee would likely have to raise some salary to advance, Fowler adds, and it’s far from certain the team would be willing to do so Cutting ties with a three-time Pro Bowler.
The Titans have a third-round pick Tyjae spears The contract is locked in once Henry leaves, and while teams don’t make a habit of re-signing workhorses before the 30-year-old season, it’s not a lock. The parties will not discuss a third contract prior to free agency. At the moment, however, Henry is one year out of his contract and is considered a candidate for the sideline job for a team in transition.