Should the Titans re-sign Denico Autry?.
Welcome to the Music City Miracles’ Tennessee Titans 2024 NFL Free Agency Primer! The formal tampering period begins on March 11th, although the Titans can re-sign their own free agents before then. General manager Ran Carthon now has complete roster control and will work with incoming head coach Brian Callahan to develop a vision for the 2024 Titans.
The Titans are presently expected to have 24 free agents (19 unrestricted), including many important starters and supporting players. Over the following two weeks, we’ll take a close look at each free agent and argue why the Titans should or should not re-sign that player. We’ll also provide our final decision and a forecast to complement our research.
Why should the Titans re-sign Autry?
The Titans signed Denico Autry to a three-year contract worth $21 million ahead of the 2021 season and received 28.5 sacks. Autry vastly outperformed the value of his contract and belongs on the Mount Rushmore list of Titans free agency signings alongside Delanie Walker. This past season, his age-33 season, Autry totaled a career-high 11.5 sacks. It’s not every day that an NFL player has a career-best campaign at 33, but Autry is legitimately a rare being.
It marked the first time Autry has produced a double-digit sack season, but he’s been around that territory for the Titans every year since 2021. Father Time will eventually defeat Autry, but he’s continued to fend off the inevitable. Autry is arguably Tennessee’s second-best defensive player, behind Jeffery Simmons. If the Titans let Autry walk, it will open a massive hole opposite Harold Landry. That’s a problem the Titans may not prefer to deal with given the sizable needs elsewhere, particularly on offense and at cornerback and inside linebacker.
Why should the Titans let Autry walk?
Autry will turn 34 before the 2024 training camp. Although Autry’s output shows no indications of diminishing, he will ultimately experience a decline. That may make general manager Ran Carthon, who did not sign Autry to his original deal, leery of committing guaranteed money and terms to him.
