The Tennessee Titans inked center Ben Jones to a two-year, $14 million deal ($8 million guaranteed) on Monday, which at the time we said was a steal even before knowing the specifics.
Now, after seeing the specifics, the contract is even better than we thought.
According to Over the Cap, Jones will account for a 2022 cap hit of just $3.4 million. From there, Jones will carry an $8.2 million cap hit in 2023, and then there’s a void year in 2024 for $2.2 million.
So, essentially, Jones will make $11.6 million over the next two seasons, which works out to $5.8 million per.
When compared to other centers in the NFL, that average ranks 14th, and we know there aren’t 13 other centers better than Jones. Even if you want to say the annual average is $7 million, that ranks 12th, but the point stands.
In terms of total value, Jones’ pact ranks even lower, coming in at No. 15 among centers.
If, for whatever reason, the Titans decide to cut Jones in 2023 (blasphemous, I know), the move will carry a dead-cap charge of $4.5 million if done before June 1, and a $2.2 million hit if done after that date.
All in all, this contract is perfect.
The Titans didn’t even come close to breaking the bank to retain their best offensive lineman, and his 2022 cap charge is just what the doctor ordered for a cash-strapped team like Tennessee.
