INDIANAPOLIS — The Tennessee Titans have given permission to OLB Harold Landry III to seek a trade after seven seasons with the team.
That's one of the biggest pieces of news that has been made public during the week of the NFL Combine.
Landry has recorded 50.5 sacks in his NFL career including nine (9) in 2024, but it still might be tough for Tennessee to move him. He is owed $17.5 million in 2025 and is not playing with the same burst he had when the Titans gave him a big contract extension.
At this stage in his career, Landry is probably best rotational piece on a playoff-caliber defense. But he’s overpaid, and that’s difficult to find a take for unless Landry is willing to take a pay cut.
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ESPN's Ben Solak put together a list of players who have received permission to seek a trade and tried to find the "optimal trade for each player, even if a successful deal is unlikely."
Solak had Tennessee shipping Landry to Baltimore for a 2025 fourth-round draft pick, which falls somewhere between what the Bears gave up for Darrell Taylor last offseason and what the Falcons gave up for Matthew Judon.
"The Titans are probably hoping there's little interest in Landry at his current contract figure, and that they can keep him with a pay reduction. Landry, who might be looking to join a contending team while he still has a few years of good play, might be willing to restructure with an acquiring team, which will increase the trade value that team is willing to send for his contract," Solak wrote.
"Landry would make a great Raven. Baltimore wants to have a rotation at that position: The Ravens gave at least 500 -- but no more than 700 -- snaps to three players on the edge last season. Two of those three players (Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy) are signed only through 2025. Landry has enough coverage ability to work in the system and can provide an immediate pass-rush impact at a position the Ravens have consistently missed on draft picks and need quick help."
If the Titans were able to get this done, it would help solve the biggest issue that is facing the organization right now. Tennessee needs more draft picks., New GM Mike Borgonzi seems committed ton his "draft and develop" approach to roster building, but holding only two picks in the Top 100 is an uncomfortable spot to be in for a team with so many roster needs to fill.
The easiest way for the Titans to amass more picks is by trading the first overall selection, but that also comes with an obvious downside - It takes a quarterback off the table and if you move down far enough, you could miss on all of the top talents in the draft class.
Getting pick No. 136 form the Ravens from Landry doesn't fully solve that problem, but it gives you a little bit more ammo on Day 3 to make something happen and address more positions. If you don't feel like Harold Landry should be part of your team in 2025, that's the perfect trade outcome.
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