Tennessee drops interim from Steve Jackson as he's announced as Titans head coach
In a press conference that can be best described as clunky, the Tennessee Titans announced that Titans head coach Steve Jackson would be the team's permanent head coach going forward, dropping the interim tag. The clunky part about it? Jackson wasn't present as the announcement came during general manager Malcolm Francois Jr's press conference to discuss the Titans recent draft and shortly into fielding questions, Francois corrected a press member that called Jackson the team's interim head coach.
"Jackson is our coach going forward," Francois said, "We finalized our search and we felt that he was the best guy to move forward with and we have a lot of confidence with him as our guy."
Francois Jr. said that the decision was a collaborative one that was made prior to the draft and that Jackson was involved in all roster related decisions in a capacity. He affirmed that he would continue to have control over the 53-man roster but reiterated that it was a collective process.
"I think ultimately you need someone to make the decision," Francois added, "We listen, I listen and it's definitely something that I think you need to have in terms of open communication and an open flow of ideas but yeah, ultimately, we have to make a choice and that falls on me, good or bad."
Titans finalize roster with seven UDFA signings
The Titans are ready for the offseason as they reached their 75-man roster limit with seven undrafted free agent signings that have been added to the off-season roster. Under the new NFL rules, these players will be able to participate in OTAs, mini camp and training camp prior to the regular season.
The list includes James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett III, UCLA running back Jaivian Thomas, Oklahoma receiver Jayden Gibson, Mississippi State tight end Seydou Traore, Texas Tech linebacker Ben Roberts, Kansas State linebacker Gabe Powers and Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley.
Defensive tackle Bashaud Ware was signed as an undrafted free agent last season and made the final roster and center Trey Hill, tight end Chris Manhertz and linebacker Shaq Quarterman also made the roster as training camp signings.
Cam Ward's fifth-year option will be $57.9 million
If, and more than likely, when the Titans decide to pick up Cam Ward's fifth-year option, the value of the deal would be $57.9 million.
NFL fifth-year options for first-round picks are calculated using four tiers based on Pro Bowl selections and playing time, determining a fully guaranteed salary for the fifth season, with higher tiers reflecting greater success (multiple Pro Bowls, significant snaps) and using averages of current player salaries for valuation. Teams must decide by May after the player's third year, with options ranging from a basic average of lower-paid players (3rd-25th highest) to the franchise tag amount for elite multiple Pro Bowlers.
By comparison, Josh Conerly, who the Titans traded for this past offseason, would come in at $18.6 million, a bit of a bargain if he's able to play at a franchise left tackle this season. The Titans have $190 million in cap space heading into next season but have several players up for extension in Jeffery Simmons, Zaire Franklin J.C. Latham, T'Vondre Sweat, Marcus Jones and Peter Skoronski.