A former Titans first-round pick could become a salary cap casualty, with the team facing difficult roster decisions.

In the NFL, team management involves making difficult decisions about player personnel, especially when it comes to managing the salary cap. Each team has a finite amount of money they can spend on player contracts, and teams are constantly navigating the balance between retaining top talent and cutting ties with players whose contracts may no longer fit within the team’s financial structure.

For the Tennessee Titans, a team that has seen its share of highs and lows in recent seasons, one of the most difficult decisions looming on the horizon could involve a former first-round pick—one who has shown promise but whose future with the team may be jeopardized due to financial constraints. The Titans are entering a critical phase in their roster construction, and the looming threat of salary cap casualties is a major concern as they head into the offseason.

The Titans’ Salary Cap Situation

To understand the potential for a salary cap casualty, it’s crucial to first understand the Titans’ current financial landscape. The NFL has a salary cap that teams must abide by, and while the cap figures fluctuate from year to year, the core principle remains the same: every team must operate within a set budget.

As of the 2025 season, the Titans’ salary cap situation is far from ideal. While the team has some flexibility, they also have several high-priced contracts for key players, including those for veteran stars like running back Derrick Henry and defensive lineman Jeffrey Simmons. These contracts, while reflective of the talent these players bring to the field, also eat up a significant portion of the salary cap space.

Given the current state of the roster, the Titans will likely need to make some difficult decisions regarding their financial commitments. Players with high cap hits, especially those who haven’t lived up to expectations or who may have injury concerns, are at greater risk of being cut. This is where the former first-round pick comes into play.

Who Is at Risk?

The former first-round pick in question is Isaiah Wilson, the offensive tackle selected by the Titans in the 2020 NFL Draft with the 29th overall pick. Wilson was a highly touted prospect coming out of the University of Georgia, known for his size, athleticism, and raw potential. The Titans’ front office and coaching staff hoped that Wilson would anchor their offensive line for years to come, providing stability at a key position and paving the way for a dominant rushing attack, led by Derrick Henry.

However, things quickly went awry for Wilson, and his career with the Titans has been a disappointing one thus far. After a series of off-the-field issues, including multiple suspensions, poor performances in training camp, and even a stint on the COVID-19 list, Wilson was placed on injured reserve early in his rookie season. He only appeared in one game during the 2020 campaign, and that was in a limited role.

Things went from bad to worse when the Titans traded Wilson to the Miami Dolphins during the 2021 offseason, with Tennessee reportedly taking a significant loss on the deal. Wilson’s tenure with the Dolphins, however, was just as short-lived as his time in Tennessee, as he was waived by the team after only a few months. Despite being a first-round pick, Wilson’s career has been marred by off-field issues, including concerns about his work ethic, focus, and overall commitment to his professional development.

At this point, the Titans have already moved on from Wilson, and his potential to contribute to the team’s future seems like a long shot. However, his financial commitment to the team is still a factor.

Salary Cap Implications for Isaiah Wilson

Wilson’s contract, which was signed in 2020, was a four-year deal worth $11.5 million, including a signing bonus of $6.4 million. As a first-round pick, Wilson was guaranteed significant money over the first few years of the contract.

But with Wilson’s career quickly derailing, the Titans face a difficult decision about how to handle his remaining cap hit. While the team no longer has Wilson on their active roster, they still carry some dead cap space due to his signing bonus. For the 2025 season, Wilson’s dead cap hit could be around $2.5 million, depending on the structure of his contract and any additional restructuring or movement.

This is a relatively small amount compared to the cap hits of other players on the roster, but when you factor in other players on the bubble and the need to manage finances efficiently, every dollar counts. With the Titans’ cap space expected to be tight as they aim to add key players in free agency or possibly trade for reinforcements, the remaining dead cap from Wilson’s contract could be seen as a hindrance to the team’s ability to improve its roster. This makes him a prime candidate for being considered a “salary cap casualty,” despite being long removed from the team’s active roster.

The Bigger Picture: Titans’ Roster Decisions

The decision to cut ties with a player like Isaiah Wilson isn’t just about the financial ramifications of his contract. It’s also about making room for players who can actually contribute to the team’s success moving forward.

For the Titans, the offensive line has long been a key area of focus. While the Titans have a talented group of offensive linemen, including Taylor Lewan and Nate Davis, the team has struggled with depth and consistency at times. If Tennessee hopes to make a deep playoff run, they’ll need to ensure that their offensive line is both healthy and effective. This means that if any player—whether it’s a former first-round pick like Wilson or someone else—doesn’t fit into that vision, they will need to be removed from the equation.

The Titans will also need to be cautious about their financial commitments in other areas, particularly in the skill positions. With Derrick Henry’s contract looming as one of the team’s most significant cap hits, the front office will need to decide if they want to continue to build around him or if it’s time to reallocate funds to other parts of the team. For the Titans to have sustained success, their roster decisions must be strategic, and managing the salary cap effectively is key to that process.

The Importance of Cap Space for Future Success

As the NFL continues to evolve, managing the salary cap has become more important than ever. Teams need to be able to make room for free agents who can provide an immediate impact, but they also need flexibility to make trades, sign extensions for their own key players, and ensure the long-term health of their roster.

The Titans will need to be active in the 2025 offseason, with an eye toward improving both their roster and their financial outlook. As the team looks to solidify its future, cutting ties with players like Wilson—who are no longer contributing to the team’s success—will be necessary in order to free up cap space. This will give the Titans the flexibility to target upgrades in key areas like the wide receiver position, the secondary, and possibly even the quarterback position if the team decides to move on from Ryan Tannehill.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Titans?

As of now, the Titans are in a precarious position. The team’s roster is a mix of aging veterans and young players, some of whom are on the cusp of becoming significant contributors. However, without key investments in areas like the offensive line and skill positions, the Titans are at risk of falling behind in the highly competitive AFC. Managing their salary cap is critical for the team’s future success, and cutting unnecessary dead cap from players like Wilson is part of the equation.

For the Titans to be successful in 2025 and beyond, they need to continue to develop their young talent, make wise roster moves, and ensure that they have the financial flexibility to make necessary upgrades. This will include trimming the fat from the roster, whether that means releasing players with bloated contracts or parting ways with players who have underperformed, like Wilson.

Ultimately, the Titans will need to get creative with their salary cap management if they want to return to playoff contention. The process of cutting a former first-round pick may be painful, but it could be the first step toward building a more balanced and competitive roster in the years to come. As the offseason progresses, the Titans will have to make critical decisions that could shape the franchise for years to come, and cutting players like Wilson may be a necessary step in that process.