The Tennessee Titans are set to lose a big part of their defense to a division rival, as pending free-agent defensive lineman Denico Autry is reportedly expected to sign with the Houston Texans.
The news comes from Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the deal is for two years and $20 million, with $10.5 million guaranteed.
That’s more annually than what Autry got in his last contract with the Titans, and it’s well-deserved.
Tennessee inked Autry to a three-year, $21.5 million deal in 2021. It was a great deal for the Titans after Autry piled up 28.5 sacks over three seasons (33 games), making him one of the better free-agent signings in franchise history.
Losing his production on the field in and of itself stinks, but the fact that the Titans will have to face him twice a year makes it even worse. With Autry gone, the Titans officially have at least two starting spots upfront to fill alongside Jeffery Simmons.
