The Tennessee Titans enter the 2024 offseason flush with cap space, but they will have an opportunity to clear more money if they decide to cut some players from last year’s team.
According to Over the Cap, the Titans are sitting with $68.1 million in cap space, the second-most in the NFL behind only the Washington Commanders.
That’s a far cry from last year, when the Titans were strapped for cash, even after cutting some players. That also forced Tennessee to bet on upside with some of their free-agent signings.
But things are very different this year with the Titans having a ton of money to spend. And, as a result, their need to cut players isn’t as dire as it was last year, although the team still figures to part ways with at least a few players.
Here’s a look at the Titans’ biggest cut candidates for the 2024 offseason, and we’ve included a prediction for what will happen with each.
LT Andre Dillard
2024 cap hit: $10.67 million
Pre-June 1 dead money/cap savings: $7.7M/$2.8M
Post-June 1 dead money/cap savings: $4.1M/$6.4M
Dillard was the worst offensive lineman in the sport, and making that more painful was the fact that he was Tennessee’s starting left tackle for much of the season.
The veteran gave up 12 sacks, tied for the most in the NFL. He easily would have led the league if he wasn’t benched on multiple occasions.
The Titans can get the biggest savings if they cut Dillard with a post-June 1 designation. Granted, they’d have to wait until after June 1 to collect that savings, but they have the cap space to be able to afford it.
Prediction: Titans cut Dillard post-June 1
S Amani Hooker
2024 cap hit: $9.3 million
Pre-June 1 dead money/cap savings: $5M/$4.3M
Post-June 1 dead money/cap savings: $2.5M/$6.8M
I actually thought Hooker played well last season considering the mess around him in the secondary, and he was one of the few sources of turnovers on the team.
The biggest issue with Hooker is his injury history, with the Iowa product having missed four or more games in each of the last three seasons (five in 2021, eight in 2022), including four in 2023.
I think the Titans ultimately hang on to him for another year, but if they do decide to cut him, the post-June 1 designation will give Tennessee the biggest savings.
Prediction: Titans keep Hooker
LB Luke Gifford
2024 cap hit: $2.1 million
Pre-June 1 dead money/cap savings: $250K/$1.9M
Post-June 1 dead money/cap savings: $250K/$1.9M
Gifford battled injury throughout the 2023 campaign and played just eight snaps on defense all season long, which was to be expected considering he was labeled as a special teams ace.
However, $2.1 million for a special teams linebacker who couldn’t stay healthy last season? No thanks, I’ll pass.
Prediction: Titans cut Gifford pre-June 1
OLB Rashad Weaver
2024 cap hit: $1.2 million
Pre-June 1 dead money/cap savings: $164K/$1.05M
Post-June 1 dead money/cap savings: $164K/$1.05M
Weaver looked like he might turn into something after tallying four sacks in his first four games of 2022.
However, he has just 1.5 sacks since then, including zero in 2023. Adding to that, he isn’t good against the run, either.
The Titans need a backup edge rusher who can actually produce when called upon. After Weaver failed to do that last season, I’m fine with cutting ties in 2024.
Prediction: Titans cut Weaver pre-June 1
RB Hassan Haskins
2024 cap hit: $1.1 million
Pre-June 1 dead money/cap savings: $346K/$811K
Post-June 1 dead money/cap savings: $173K/$985K
Haskins didn’t play a single snap in 2023 after being placed on season-ending injured reserve prior to the start of the campaign. He also had a stint on the commissioner’s exempt list after he found himself in some legal trouble, but the charges have since been dropped.
Even before all that, Haskins looked primed to not make the initial 53-man roster out of training camp after a quiet offseason.
I think the Titans will ultimately sign a cheap veteran back in free agency to pair with Tyjae Spears, and I wouldn’t rule out Tennessee drafting one, either. Haskins’ money is better spent elsewhere.
Prediction: Titans cut Haskins pre-June 1
