The Tennessee Titans had a disappointing end to an overall impressive regular season, losing in the Divisional Round of the playoffs to the Cincinnati Bengals.
A big reason that the team was the overall number one seed in the AFC heading into the playoffs was the emergence of outside linebacker Harold Landry as one of the better young pass rushers in the league. Landry racked up 12 sacks on the 2021 season and the 25-year-old linebacker made his first Pro Bowl.
Given his impressive play this season, it was surprising when reports came out on Tuesday that the Titans would not be franchise tagging him.
Titans don't place franchise tag on Harold Landry. https://t.co/H3vJjYteS0
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 8, 2022
However, the Titans did one better in extending Landry to a massive new contract, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The #Titans are signing OLB Harold Landry to a five-year, $87.5 million extension with $52.5M guaranteed, per sources. 💰💰💰
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2022
This extension will keep Landry in Tennessee through the 2026 season, which is something that many Titans folks are excited about.
I approve. https://t.co/XjoiC5vlmj
— Steve Gamel (@NewspaperSteve) March 9, 2022
Landry wanted to be the highest paid guy in his meeting room (h/t @BuckReising). He got it. Smart retention by the #Titans. https://t.co/KRTwoa2KCn
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 9, 2022
Yes! I though the #Titans not tagging Landry may have been a show of good faith. LFG! #TitanUp https://t.co/xv4OoLkVKa
— Dale Ryman (@DaleRyman_WSAW) March 9, 2022
Wow, so that’s why there was no tag. They were close and they get a big deal done. #Titans @NC5 https://t.co/hBGEd7j9Em
— Steve Layman (@SteveLayman) March 9, 2022
Glad they got this done with Landry. Big move for the #Titans defensive front, the core strength of the team last season. https://t.co/wLEnb7pEBv
— Jonathan Hutton (@HuttonOutkick) March 9, 2022
The Titans’ formula to success last season was through running the ball effectively, not to mention a top-five defense in points per game allowed. This move to bring back Landry on a long extension like this should allow the Titans to remain one of the true contenders in the AFC going forward.
