What are the Titans doing with Arden Key?

Arden Key is entering a contract year in 2025. Since signing a 3 year deal in 2023, Key has amassed 12.5 sacks across 33 games, making him a consistent piece of the defense. This average at best play does come with a hefty price tag, however, as Key has a $9.2 million dollar cap hit in 2025. The stats and money does not point to Key being a piece for the full NFL season, so what will happen?

Releasing Arden Key:

If the Tennessee Titans want to save money and part from Arden Key, they can choose to release him. If the Titans were to release Key, they would save $4.68 million dollars. This money could go to other free agents, or be used for other contracts.

Trading Arden Key:

Something we could see with Key is a trade, likely either before the NFL season or at the trade deadline. Trading Key at the deadline last season was a popular rumor for the Titans, so it wouldn't be shocking to see him go for a day 3 draft pick later in the NFL season.

Keeping Arden Key:

What if the Titans want to keep Key? The team needs a veteran at the position to help with the development of the younger players, namely Oluwafemi Oladejo, the Titans second round pick in 2025. The team may take Key into the season, and get rid of him at the deadline if they are not competing for a playoff spot. The Titans don't have anyone else to play on the opposite end of their rookie, so departing from Key would leave a hole in the pass rush.

My prediction is that Key will stay on the team going into the season, but will be traded at the deadline. The Titans likely will not be competitive enough for a playoff appearence by the deadline, and it is almost certain some contending team will lose a key pass rusher due to injury (such as the Lions with Aidan Hutchinson where they traded for Za'Darius Smith). The Titans are still in the middle of a rebuild, so if the season is clearly dead by the deadline, they will no doubt look to ship player such as Key for draft capital.