Tennessee Titans right tackle Jack Conklin and cornerback Logan Ryan both addressed their futures with the team as their impending free agency looms.
The two biggest free agents the Tennessee Titans have to address this offseason aside from quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry will be right tackle Jack Conklin and cornerback Logan Ryan.
Conklin is in the final year of his rookie deal after Tennessee declined to pick up the fifth-year option prior to the 2019 season. Ryan is at the end of the three-year, $30 million contract he signed with Tennessee back in 2017.
When asked about his upcoming free agent status on Monday, Ryan had this to say to the media.
"“Hopefully if they can extend it and work something out that would be great, but as of right now that’s what my contract was and I fulfilled my end of the bargain and they did as well, and we were able to have a great run this year.”"
Ryan also said one of his goals when coming to the Titans was to make the organization better than what it was when he first arrived, and he certainly did that.
Logan Ryan talks about the brotherhood in the building + his future plans. pic.twitter.com/rm9EmnUHzD
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 20, 2020
The veteran corner’s third season in Nashville was his best. He was a consistent presence in the Titans’ secondary while playing slot corner and will be the biggest decision the Titans have to make out of their defensive free agents. Ryan will be 29 in February.
As for Conklin, he said that in a perfect world he’d love to be back with the Titans.
RT Jack Conklin: In a perfect world, says he’s love to be back with the #Titans. Conklin didn’t have his fifth-year option picked up.
— Erik Bacharach (@ErikBacharach) January 20, 2020
He then went on to talk about how Tennessee not picking up his fifth-year option was a gamble, but it was one that paid off, according to ESPN’s Turron Davenport.
"“Definitely from that situation, yeah… I think I took a chance on myself and its paid off here, and hopefully everything works out the way I hope it does.”"
Jack Conklin said not having his 5th year option picked up was a gamble but he feels it's paid off in the long run but him betting on himself paid off. #Titans pic.twitter.com/p5LML2qqQk
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) January 20, 2020
Conklin had himself a great season for the Titans. He finished with an overall grade of 78.0, per Pro Football Focus, and was one of the better right tackles in the sport in 2019.
Because of the demand for offensive linemen, Conklin figures to get paid handsomely during the offseason. Spotrac has Conklin’s estimated market value at $15 million annually over six years.
Whether or not Conklin’s payday will come from the Titans remains to be seen, but if not Tennessee does have a backup plan in fellow tackle Dennis Kelly, who will come cheaper and was very effective when he filled in for Conklin at right tackle in 2018.