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Field Yates of ESPN is reporting that the Titans and Rishard Matthews have agreed to a 1-year contract extension. This gives the Titans a team option on Matthews for 2019. The deal, if picked up, would be worth $7.75 million:
Sources: the Titans and WR Rishard Matthews have agreed to a one-year extension through 2019. It's a team option with a base value of $7.75M for the 2019 season.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 21, 2018
This whole Rishard situation has been so bizzare. He has been on PUP since camp started with an undisclosed injury. He has been seen running the route tree multiple times before practice, but there has been no update given on his status. Someday there will be a 30 for 30 on this whole situation....#notreally
Raymond Summerlin of RotoWorld speculated that him not practicing was a quasi-holdout:
So I guess he was quasi-holding out? If he returns to practice this week, he goes right back into the WR4/5 with upside range. https://t.co/IQzwhw7uqY
— Raymond Summerlin (@RMSummerlin) August 21, 2018
I mean, I guess that’s possible, but I would think the league would have an issue with the Titans and Matthews gaming the system in this way because there are fines associated with holding out that were collectively bargained.
Whatever the case, this is obviously a sign that the Titans are at least somewhat confident in the health of Matthews. We still have absolutely no idea when he will come off PUP, but I think it is fair to say some eyebrows would be raised if he practices today for the first time.
More details from the ESPN story:
The total package between 2018 and 2019 includes new money of close to $11 million available through roster bonuses, incentives and performance escalators.