The Tennessee Titans new mantra is "draft and develop," and that should be the team's guiding light throughout this rebuild. That's how Chad Brinker and Mike Borgonzi want to build this team. That phrase omits an important part of the process, and it should end with, "draft, develop, and retain."
Considering the lack of talent on the Titans' roster, there wasn't much retaining done in Borgonzi's first offseason in charge. However, there are two players on expiring contracts the team needs to strongly consider retaining after this season, and those are tight end Chig Okonkwo and slot cornerback Roger McCreary.
Looking ahead to the top players in the free agent market next season, it is clear that the Titans should have strongly considered locking McCreary down with an extension before the season starts.
Titans should sign CB Roger McCreary to lucrative contract extension
When Kyler Gordon signed an extension with the Chicago Bears this offseason, it should have provided the Titans and McCreary with a starting point for their negotiations. Gordon's extension netted him an AAV of $13.3 million annually over three years.
Despite being a starter every year since being drafted, McCreary is still young (25 years old), and the team shouldn't be afraid of giving him a long-term contract to reward his consistency. They've appreciated his availability and consistency.
In coverage, McCreary has been very solid from the slot and has held his own with tough assignments over the years despite poor pass-rushing efforts in front of him. Since taking over the nickel corner job in 2023, McCreary has only allowed one touchdown despite being targeted 114 times.
However, his true value lies in what he does in the run game. Last season, McCreary totaled 12 TFLs, which was tied for the most by a cornerback in 25 years. That is the type of player you want to lock down for the entirety of their prime.
If you want to look for a reason not to extend McCreary, the only argument anyone can make is a financial one. Between L'Jarius Sneed's deal and a McCreary extension, the team would be spending more than $32 million per year on two-thirds of their starting cornerbacks.
However, it is unlikely that the Titans will keep Sneed at his current rate, whether that means cutting him or restructuring his contract next offseason. Even without adjusting that, the franchise is already slated to have the most effective cap space in the NFL next summer with $105 million. Unless they simply don't like McCreary, there is no reason they should add another hole to their roster by letting a young and talented player walk.