Jared Stillman and special guest host and NFL insider Luke Rodgers discussed the Tennessee Titans ahead of training camp kickoff this weekend, speaking specifically about wide receiver Corey Davis on ESPN 102.5 The Game’s Jared & the GM.
Davis, the first-round draft pick who is still in contract talks with the Titans, is holding out for offset language in his contract. Stillman explained the reasoning behind that decision and why the Titans are looking to circumvent that demand.
“The Titans have a long-standing history of [excluding] offset language in their contracts,” Stillman said. “Meaning that if you are cut by the Titans and signed with the Steelers, that if the Steelers are paying you $two million, and the Titans owe you eight, then you get six from the Titans and two from the Steelers equaling eight. This does not allow you to double-dip.”
Stillman also mentioned an article from The Tennessean’s Jason Wolf, which detailed the nature of Davis’ rookie contract before the offset talk.
The sides are not haggling over the dollar value or length of the deal. All rookie contracts for first-round players are for four years, with a fifth-year team option, and dollar values are slotted based on draft position. Davis is projected to receive a $25.4 million contract, with a $16.6 million signing bonus, according to Forbes.
Davis is not the first rookie the Titans have had trouble getting his contract nailed down, with Stillman citing issues with previous first-round picks quarterback Marcus Mariota and offensive tackle Jack Conklin as guys that had some friction en route to a contract.
“This was a problem with Mariota two years ago,” Stillman said. “Both sides made some concessions, and they came to an agreement before camp. Jack Conklin does not have offset language in his contract… Corey Davis wants offset language, and I don’t know about you, but my initial reaction: get your butt in camp.”
Rodgers agreed with Stillman, saying that Davis is wasting time by being this concerned with an offset clause, and that this kind of hangup could affect Davis’ chemistry with the team and staff as well as his ability to be 100 percent ready to play come Week 1.
“Scrap this offset language, get into camp,” Rodgers said. “The Titans are counting on Corey Davis, they picked him with a No. 5 pick, they’re counting on him to be a difference maker. If what happens with Corey Davis is what happened with Joey Bosa last season, you’re looking at a guy that’ll be way behind the curve and is not gonna realize his potential. Bosa was an animal, but it took him a while to get into the system.”
For the full discussion, listen here: