Is it advisable for the Titans to extend Aaron Brewer’s contract?
Welcome to Music City Miracles’ Tennessee Titans 2024 NFL Free Agency Primer! The legal tampering period commences on March 11th, but the Titans can re-sign their unrestricted free agents before that date. General manager Ran Carthon now has complete control over the roster and will collaborate with new head coach Brian Callahan to outline their vision for the 2024 Titans.
The Titans currently have 24 free agents (19 unrestricted), including several key starters and role players. Over the next weeks, we’ll delve into each free agent, presenting arguments for and against their re-signing, along with our final verdict and prediction.
Today, let’s focus on starting center Aaron Brewer.
Name: Aaron Brewer
Position: Center/Guard
Current Age: 26
Reasons to re-sign Brewer:
Brewer has been a success story as a versatile undrafted free agent. Starting as the primary left guard in 2022, Brewer transitioned to the starting center role in 2023, succeeding Ben Jones. Despite concerns about his size, Brewer remained healthy throughout the 17-game season, playing 1,050 snaps. He excelled as an above-average run blocker, earning a run-blocking grade of 78.7 from Pro Football Focus. Brewer’s athleticism aligns well with Brian Callahan’s incoming wide-zone based scheme, a system he started to excel in under Arthur Smith in 2020.
New offensive line coach Bill Callahan values Brewer’s athleticism and familiarity with the system. Brewer’s versatility across three positions offers the Titans flexibility across the interior line.
Reasons to let Brewer walk:
Brewer’s move to center didn’t conceal his pass protection weaknesses. He earned a pass-pro grade of 52.5 from PFF, allowing 34 pressures, seven quarterback hits, 6.0 sacks, and committing five penalties. His six sacks allowed ranked second-highest among all centers. With ample cap space and draft capital, Titans GM Ran Carthon has the means to overhaul the offensive line, making the center position a priority for upgrade.
Projected Contract:
Spotrac predicts a three-year contract worth $15.7 million for Brewer, a reasonable estimation. This would position Brewer as approximately the 14th highest-paid center in the league, likely dropping lower after other contracts are inked in free agency. With Brewer earning $4.3 million last season, a slight raise after playing over 1,000 snaps seems realistic.
Final Verdict:
The Titans need to upgrade the center position either through free agency or the 2024 NFL Draft. Numerous rookie options and pending free-agent centers like Andre James and Nick Harris provide alternatives.
Prediction:
Brewer is likely to sign elsewhere. The Titans will explore other solutions as Callahan’s pass-oriented offense demands strong pass protection, an area where Brewer has struggled consistently despite his athleticism.
