A Pro Bowl pass rusher reportedly is one step closer to hitting the open market.
The Tennessee Titans opted against using the franchise tag on outside linebacker Harold Landry, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.
The Titans have exclusive negotiating rights until Monday to work out a long-term deal. After that, Landry is free to negotiate with other teams. Landry’s rookie contract expires March 16.
The Titans are over the salary cap by $7.8 million, meaning the franchise tender of $18.7 million for linebackers would have counted against their 2022 cap in full.
Landry, 25, had 75 tackles, 12 sacks, and a forced fumble for the Titans in 2021, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Landry has 31 sacks in 64 career games (52 starts) for the Titans, who selected him in the second round of the 2018 draft.
Landry has led the Titans in sacks each of the past three seasons.