NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans have declined the fifth-year option for guard Chance Warmack.
"At this point and time for our football team, as we manage the roster and salary cap, we believe this is in the best interest of our team,'' Titans general manager Jon Robinson said. "We talked to Chance and his representation this morning to inform them of our decision. We expect Chance to play well for us this year; and we are not closing the door on his long-term future with our franchise."
Warmack is under contract for the 2016 season.
Picking up the fifth-year option would have guaranteed Warmack's 2017 salary of $11.9 million — a beefy one for a guard — against injury.
The Titans could still negotiate a long-term deal with Warmack at some point.
"I told Chance, he's an integral part of this football team, and we are looking for and expecting big things from him this fall and through the minicamps and in training camp,'' Robinson said. "We expect him to go out and play like he would normally."
Warmack, the 10th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, has started all 46 games he's played for the Titans over the past three seasons.
"After several discussions with Mike and Amy, we just decided it was best for the football team to not pick it up,'' Robinson said. "We've talked to Chance, explained the situation. Just when you're managing a roster, there's a lot of things that go into that – the cash, the salary cap. For us, in the end, we just thought it would be best not to pick it up at this time."
