Clint Lamb
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Rashaan Evans will likely be a free agent at the conclusion of the 2021 season. On Monday morning, the former first-round pick’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, informed Adam Schefter that the Titans would not be picking up his client’s fifth-year option.
The reason? According to Rosenhaus, the decision is “due to ongoing salary-cap uncertainty.” The team does hope to sign Evans to a contract extension some time before his current deal expires following this upcoming season.
Titans informed @DrewJRosenhaus that they will not be exercising LB Rashaan Evans’ 5th-year option “due to ongoing salary-cap uncertainty and instead hope to sign Rashaan to a contract extension before his current deal expires in 2022,” Rosenhaus said.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 3, 2021
This is beginning to look like an either/or for the Titans.
Fellow inside linebacker Jayon Brown recently re-signed with Tennessee on a one-year, $5.25 million deal. That means that he will also be a free agent following this season. With looming cap decisions beyond this season, it’s unlikely that they will bring back both players.
Instead, the Titans can let both linebackers play out the 2020 season to determine which one they will keep.
The front office looks like it’s already figuring out a potential replacement option for whichever player doesn’t come back. They took Georgia off-ball linebacker Monty Rice in the third round (No. 92 overall) over the weekend, which leads us to believe he’s the future.
We just don’t know whom he will replace yet, Evans or Brown.
Since being drafted No. 22 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, Evans has produced 235 tackles, three sacks and six pass deflections. He’s had a few eye-popping moments, including some of these highlights from playoff games the last two seasons:
Rashaan Evans has been playing some incredible football through his first two NFL playoff games. He has been playing aggressive and instinctual, yet very disciplined. Huge part of why we have made it to the AFC Championship game. pic.twitter.com/SQ8inDNTRF
— Titans Tape (@TitansTape) January 14, 2020
Which would fans prefer to keep long term — Evans or Brown?
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.
