Vince Young, Jake Locker, and Marcus Mariota all three were fist-round selections of the Tennessee Titans, with each projected to be the one to lead the Titans into the future and to a possible Super Bowl title.
As we know, each of those players had their moment, but none of them turned into the long-term answer this franchise has been searching for since they found quarterback gold in the 95 drafts when they tabbed Steve "Air" McNair as their man.
Once again, in 2023, the Titans organization finds itself with a decision to make about their quarterback position. Once again, their decision will help set the tone for the franchise moving forward.
Granted, this situation is not like some of the aforementioned, but it is similar to at least one.
From the moment he took the reigns, late in his rookie season, McNair was the man for the then-Oilers, and upon their move, he was the face of the Titans. He was revered, beloved, and embraced by the fans in his new city.
He would remain "the man," followed in close second by his teammate and running back Eddie George, for seven seasons in Nashville, until April 2006.
Without going into all the details of the end of McNair's time as a Titans, which longtime fans know all too well, because of the multiple restructuring of his contract, the team was on the hook to McNair for $23.46 million, which led to them locking him out of the building and finally them allowing his agent to seek a trade deal, a deal that would send the beloved quarterback to the hated Baltimore Ravens, and help the franchise escape some of the salary cap issues it faced.
Fast forward past the failures of three first-round quarterback selections. Once again, the Titans find themselves hampered by salary cap restraints and have a decision to make on their current quarterback, Ryan Tannehill.
Releasing Tannehill would open up some $17.8 million in cap space but would leave the Titans with journeyman Josh Dobbs and Malik Willis, the team's third-round selection last season, as the quarterbacks on the roster.
Of course, they could try to pick up a quarterback in free agency or the draft.
One name in free agency is Derek Carr, though recent rumors suggest that he is headed to New Orleans.
Aaron Rodgers is possible, but one would expect his asking price to be as high or higher than Tannehill's salary. Of course, the argument is that Rodgers is a proven winner, has a ring, and would be an upgrade, but then so too would his salary, as he will likely strike a higher dollar deal.
Another possibility, which already has its rumor, is for the Titans to trade up in the draft to grab either Bryce Young or CJ Stroud. To do this would cost plenty in draft capital, something the team isn't exactly rolling in at this point, or possibly the addition of some current players to make a move possible.
Then there is the move that seems easiest at this time.
As we mentioned with McNair, restructuring Tannehill's deal could net the Titans around $20.6 million in space, allowing them some of the money they will need to bolster the roster for the coming season.
We know how things came to pass with McNair and granted, Tannehill isn't the fan favorite "Air" was, but given the two quarterbacks currently on the roster, along with the cost of moving up in the draft, and the potential free agent market at the position, keeping what you now have might be the best option at this moment.
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