<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Titans decline bonus, but pay $1M non-exercise feeBy Len PasquarelliESPN.comIn a move that all but assures Steve McNair will be back with the Tennessee Titans in 2006, the team has declined to pay the prohibitive $50 million option bonus built into his contract, but paid the quarterback a $1 million non-exercise fee that boosts his compensation for the coming season to $10 million.The maneuver, confirmed by league sources, means that the perennially cap-strapped Titans gained considerable relief for 2006 on McNair's contract. But it also voids the final three years of the contract and makes the 2006 season the final year on the deal.Without a subsequent extension to the contract, McNair will be eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring.McNair, 33, has a 2006 base salary of $9 million. Under terms of his deal, his base salaries would have been $11 million for 2007, $13 million for 2008 and $15 million for 2009. But those salaries would only have taken effect had the Titans paid the $50 million bonus to trigger the options on those three seasons, and they were never going to do that.In fact, the staggering option bonus was built into the contract to force the two sides to the negotiating table after the 2005 campaign, which it has done. Although agreement on a new contract for McNair is not imminent, and general manager Floyd Reese indicated recently that the process could be a long one, the two sides will continue discussions.The team's first-round pick in the 1995 draft, McNair played well at times last season, didn't suffer from the kind of debilitating injuries of the past few seasons, and seemed re-energized by the potential of the offense installed by new coordinator Norm Chow. In 14 appearances, all starts, McNair completed 292 of 476 passes for 3,161 yards, with 16 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions as a rebuilding Titans team sputtered to a 4-12 record.There has been much speculation in the offseason that Tennessee will use its first-round choice in this year's draft to select McNair's eventual successor, but that they want their longtime starter for at least a few more seasons to help groom his replacement. McNair has missed 12 starts the last three seasons because of injuries and that remains a matter of some concern.In another cap-related matter, agent Hadley Engelhard confirmed to ESPN.com that tailback Travis Henry has restructured his contract to provide the Titans some cap relief. Henry, 27, missed four games in 2005 because of a violation of the NFL substance abuse policy. In 10 games, but just one start, Henry carried 88 times for 335 yards.The Titans reworked the contract of linebacker Peter Sirmon. They also cut left tackle Brad Hopkins Wednesday at a savings of $4.6 million. As Thursday began, the Titans were a manageable $4.6 million over the salary cap.Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. Senior writer John Clayton contributed to this report.</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2351571
i think that very smart to keep him one more year instead of going after vince young cuz they really need to improve on offense in other spots like WR
This isn't a guarantee that he'll be back next year. There is still the chance that he could get cut. The $1 million was for a non-exercise fee on the $50 million that would have extended his contract through 2009. So in effect, all the $1 million did was assure us that McNair's current contract was up no later than after this upcoming season. It also basically allowed the Titans to extend negotiations with Bus Cook (Mac's agent) until June. In all likelihood, Mac will be back as Floyd Reese has gone on record saying that they are ready and prepared to deal with paying his full base salary for the 2006 season. While this isn't a guarantee, it puts things very favorable of Mac coming back in 2006. Hopefully to mentor Vince Young, but time will tell.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DCB @ Mar 14 2006, 06:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Does this mean they will get a DBrick in the draft.</div>I think so....but because they cut Brad Hopkins, extended Volek and kept McNair. Not just one move, all 3 are leading up to a D'Brickashaw Ferguson pick IMO.
On ESPN they was saying that they would draft Leinart... but what do they know.I say they are going to draft Ferguson, too.
I was convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that we would be drafting a QB with our first pick. Now, after picking up Mawae, Givens, and Thorton, I'm not so sure we are. They may try to shore up either the OL or DL w/the likes of D'Brick or Mario Williams.I dunno, I think I'm 60/40 on us still drafting a QB of the future. Whatever we do, it will have implications on what we do with McNair. Draft a QB, this is his last year and they'll either try to get him to take a pay cut or just pay him the $9 mil if they have to. Don't draft a QB, they'll renegotiate for a 3/4 year deal with mostly guaranteed money, but not a huge contract.
No talks yet on reworking McNair's contractNFL.com wire reports NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 21, 2006) -- The Tennessee Titans are busy with the free-agent market and preparing for the NFL draft, but talks to rework Steve McNair 's hefty salary-cap number don't seem to be high on the priority list at the moment.
Old news to Titans fans. I know I'm literally the only one on here, but it's not a big deal. We expect business to pick up around June.
