Tennessee Titans safety Michael Griffin (33) tackles San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
The Tennessee Titans have one of the best veteran safety trios in the league with long-time free safety Michael Griffin and last year’s offseason signings Bernard Pollard and George Wilson. Pollard is set to hit free agency this season and is thus not locked in to return in 2014, but there’s also a chance that Griffin doesn’t end up sticking around. The Titans have several big financial decisions to take a look at this offseason, and both Jake Locker and Chris Johnson could end up being cap casualties. Locker due to a massive team option, and Johnson, who is expected to be released, due to his exorbitant price tag.
But Griffin could also end up being a cap casualty this offseason, since he will have an $8 million cap hit next season and will be working with a new coaching staff to boot. He seems to good to release, but $8 million is an awful lot of money. According to the Nashville Tennesseean’s Jim Wyatt, Griffin is unsure of his future with the Titans and knows that he could end up getting the ax due to his salary.
He said, “I realize I count $8 million toward the salary cap, so I have to worry about myself. At the end of the day, I am questioning my fate. You have to ask yourself, do they think you are worth that? I hope so, but this is a business.”
I think the Titans will end up keeping Griffin and letting Pollard walk, but George Wilson is a more than capable starter at either free or strong safety. Wilson is the X-Factor to watch for closely, because he is one of the most underrated safeties in the game and was a real steal for the Titans last offseason. Griffin is making quite a bit of money, but he’s also worth it due to his playmaking ability and vastly improved tackling this past season.