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The Titans have decided to decline the 5th year option on Chance Warmack. I was 100% sure they would end up picking it up (I actually had that post already written) even though he hasn't lived up to his potential, but Jon Robinson ain't playing around. It does make sense that they wouldn't want to guarantee him $11 million or so with the way he has played so far.
I like this move. Warmack is now in the final year of his contract. He has to prove that he can play at this level consistently- which he just hasn't done yet. The Titans have invested a lot in the offensive line with 3 former first round picks in Warmack, Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin, and a pretty high-dollar free agent in Ben Jones. There are no more excuses for that group.
Hopefully this lights a fire under Warmack and gets him to be the player pretty much everyone thought he would be when the Titans drafted him.
This doesn't mean 2016 will be Warmack's final year with the Titans. He could play well and earn a big money, long-term contract. He could also play decently and earn a cap friendly deal that doesn't cost as much against the 2017 cap.
Jim Wyatt wrote about the decision over at Titans Online and included this from GM Robinson:
“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.”