Titans use void years to lower Azeez Al-Shaair’s cap hit

When the Tennessee Titans agreed to terms with linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair in free agency, the only details of his contract were that it was for one year and worth up to $6 million.

But now we have the full breakdown thanks to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, who reports that the base deal is one year and $5 million, with incentives that can bump it up to $6 million in total.

The deal also includes a signing bonus of $3.17 million and a total of $4.25 million in guaranteed money. His base salary is $1.08 million (guaranteed), and he has per game active roster bonuses of $44,117, and a $1 million playtime-Pro Bowl incentive.

According to Over the Cap, the Titans got creative in how they structured the deal. Tennessee tacked on four void years to the contract, allowing them to spread out his money and keep the 2023 figure low at $2.24 million.

Here are new #Titans LB Azeez Al-Shaair’s contract details, via @Jason_OTC . Due to four voidable years attached to the one-year deal, his 2023 cap charge is $2.24 M. pic.twitter.com/ZsPswCRpPg

— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) March 19, 2023

That means Al-Shaair will still be on the books in the four years after 2023, even if he isn’t brought back. Those dead cap hits are $2.53 million, $1.9 million, $1.26 million and $634,000.

For the cash-strapped Titans, this is an ideal contract with the low Year 1 cap hit. And, if things don’t work out with Al-Shaair as a starter, Tennessee can move on without much pain financially.

#Titans Azeez Al-Shaair one year, $5M base value; $4.25M gtd, $3.17M signing bonus, salary $1.08M (gtd), $44,117 per game active roster bonus, $1M playtime-Pro Bowl incentive; 2024-2027 void if on roster 23rd day before 1st day 2024 league year

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 19, 2023

Also on Sunday, the contract details for offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill were revealed. We’re now awaiting the specifics of offensive tackle Andre Dillard’s three-year, $29 million deal.