Tyler’s Take: Titans Should Not Want Lewan to Return, Lewan Shouldn’t Either
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NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Titans have a lot of tough decisions to make this offseason, but one of the easiest decisions ahead is what to do with former pro bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan. As Lewan has said himself, it is incredibly likely the Titans cut him to save 14.8 million dollars in salary cap space. The Titans are currently over the cap by nearly 23 million and need to be cap compliant by March 15th, so cutting Lewan(who has no guaranteed money left on his deal) with zero dead cap is a no-brainer.
What comes next for Taylor Lewan, from the Titans’ perspective and his own, is where the real mystery lies. When the Titans cut Lewan there are three paths remaining that are on the table. Lewan could choose to continue his NFL career with another franchise, the Titans and Lewan jointly could agree to a reunion at a reduced salary as the Titans still do have a major hole at left tackle or Lewan could opt to retire.
Regardless of what Lewan wants to do personally, the Titans would be wise to let Lewan go and not bring him back despite any discount Lewan could accept to return. No, this isn’t intended to be hit-piece on Lewan in any way. Though some in the fan base have never embraced the flamboyant offensive lineman, most Titans’ supporters appreciate what Lewan has done during his Titans’ career.
Since being drafted, coincidentally at pick 11, the pick the Titans have in the current NFL draft, in 2014, Lewan has had a stellar career even if he is not a hall of famer. Lewan has played nine seasons so far, played in 105 games, made three pro bowls and has been a part of some of the most successful Titans’ team since the Super Bowl run in 1999. He deserves more credit than he gets at times. Not only on the field did Lewan make an impact, but for a historically ignored franchise in the media, his playful personality gave the Titans some relevancy and a familiar face. More on that personality later…
The reality is though, Lewan has been unreliable the last few seasons. He has only played in 20 total games in the last three campaigns and left the game early in quite a few contests. In a perfect world, the Titans would have enough depth( and intelligence) to have a viable back up for Lewan, but it is tough to devote resources to an expensive back up AND pay Lewan a high salary. When you pay a tackle the contract Lewan has been on(5 years, 80 million dollars), you need that player to be healthy and play well.
Lewan has played well when he is healthy, but as outlined above, that just hasn’t been the case for years. The unreliability of Lewan is exactly why the Titans need to move on, no matter what Lewan costs. While Lewan may be more affordable after being cut, the Titans simply can’t afford to have him as part of the plan in 2023. Any moves the Titans decide to make should not factor in Lewan in anyway.
George Walker IV, The Tennessean
Imagine if the Titans bring Lewan back, at any salary. The odds are, as we have seen the last few years, that he will get hurt at some point. If you bring Lewan back and consider that while making moves, you could be left in the same spot you have been a ton recently, with no starting-level left tackle.
Yes, the Titans could bring Lewan back on a cheaper deal and draft his future replacement at pick 11 still, but if you are drafting a non-quarterback that high in the draft, he needs to start immediately. Getting four years of cheap, high-level play is as much of a benefit of a high draft pick as, in theory, getting a good player. Simply put, drafting a left tackle at pick 11 and sitting him behind Lewan would be ill-adivsed.
Likewise, free agency would be negatively impacted if Lewan is brought back. No viable free agent tackle is going to want to come in and be told they will have to compete for a spot. They would just go to a different team where they are considered a starter right away. Also, if you give Lewan a reasonable deal, now you are cutting into the money you could use to sign a new left tackle.
Whether the Titans find their new left tackle of the future in free agency or the draft, they can’t stunt that decision by holding on to some hope that Lewan is going to stay healthy or get back to his top form on the field. Cut the cord, and find something new that you can count on.
Here is the big thing, Lewan should agree. I recognize, as Lewan also mentioned this week, that he can’t just come back to the game in five years if he decides he misses it, but that doesn’t change the fact that his body has taken a beating over his career. Multiple ACL repairs at the top of the injury list.
Why would Lewan, who has made 82 million dollars during his NFL career so far, go out there and risk another injury for a discounted salary that doesn’t match his value when playing his best football.
Lewan is going to be 32 years old soon. He could ride off into the sunset as a mostly beloved Titan with generational wealth and, most importantly, a fantastic secondary career ahead. Lewan’s podcast “Bussin’ with the Boys” is one of the most popular sports pods in the country and Lewan is one of two founding members, with friend and former NFL player Will Compton. ‘Bussin’ is under the Barstool sports umbrella and by all indications seems to be thriving. Lewan is incredibly popular, not only with Titans’ fans, but with a wide net of people who are bigger fans of his podcast than his work on the football field.
It isn’t just the podcast either, Lewan recently made an appearance on ESPN during one of the College Football Playoff games as an analyst. In my opinion, which hey, it is an opinion article, Lewan did fantastic and will continue to be fantastic in the media space. He is energetic, entertaining and hilarious. He will make good money and increase his fame in his post-NFL career.
I am not Lewan, but not risking your long-term health for half of what you are worth, fully moving into a great secondary career and getting to spend more time with your growing family seems a lot better than coming back to the Titans for one more shot at a reduced salary. Lewan will do what he wants, he has earned that, but if he and the Titans are smart, his future will not include suiting up for the Tennessee Titans ever again.
FILM ROOM FRIDAY: What does Tim Kelly have in store for the Titans offense? CLICK HERE
Top Three Defensive Needs: Andrew Thomison looks at the top three positions of need for the Titans entering the 2023 season. CLICK HERE
Taylor Lewan Talks Future, Titans: What does the future hold for Lewan with the Titans? He shared his thoughts with Jim Wyatt. CLICK HERE
