General Manager Mike Borgonzi continues his aggressive spending spree, securing Tennessee’s elite pass protector with a record-breaking $100 million deal to solidify a revitalized offensive front.
A theme of the Mike Borgonzi era as General Manager for the Tennessee Titans this offseason has been prioritizing major extensions.
The Titans already awarded Jeffery Simmons a massive three-year, $105.9 million extension before training camp. Simmons was the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL until the Philadelphia Eagles extended Jalen Carter for four years at $38 million per year, according to Spotrac.
Even though it wasn't very long before Simmons was usurped as the highest-paid defensive tackle, he is still getting the money he rightfully deserves. Simmons hasn't received as much attention outside of Nashville, but is no doubt one of the best players at the position.
After the Simmons extension was taken care of, the next looming extension was for left guard Peter Skoronski.
Kevin Zeitler had a decent season, but Skoronski was definitely the one bright spot on the Titans' offensive line last season.
Borgonzi and the Titans made sure Skoronski was taken care of on Friday, awarding him a four-year, $100 million extension with $88 million guaranteed, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Skoronski's bread and butter have been his pass blocking.
He had a 96% pass block win rate last season and graded as the sixth-highest-rated guard in the NFL, according to PFF.
Skoronski is now the highest-paid guard in the NFL, surpassing the previous record of $24 million per year set by the Atlanta Falcons' Matthew Bergeron.
Investing in the offensive line will be crucial for the Titans, who have consistently had one of the worst in the NFL over the last few years. For the last two years, the Titans have allowed the sixth-most sacks in the league.
With his new deal, Skoronksi won't become an unrestricted free agent until 2032. His rookie deal was set to have him hit the open market in 2028.
The Titans have historically not been open to giving extensions to first round picks in the last 12 years.
Simmons broke the curse when the Titans gave him his first extension. Until Simmons, the Titans had not given a first-round pick an extension since Taylor Lewan. Lewan was drafted in 2014 out of Michigan.
Skoronski and Simmons are rewriting the narrative about the Titans that they aren't keen to pay their players. Borgonzi is to thank for that, too.
Keeping continuity on this Titans' offensive line is going to be vital for the years to come, and this Skoronski extension locks down a major piece for the future.
Cam Ward's best pass protector is staying in the Music City for the foreseeable future.
