Long-term left tackle contracts come with mixed results in recent years

Taylor Lewan, Tennessee Titans

When the Tennessee Titan signed Taylor Lewan to a five-year, $80 million deal four years ago, it made the left tackle the most highly-paid lineman in the NFL. It was a reward for a stellar start to his NFL career—a run of five quality seasons anchored by three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2016-18 representing the AFC.

Since then, however, Lewan hasn’t exactly played up to the level expected, but other variables have come into play as well, including a four-game suspension in 2019 for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. In 2020, he tore his ACL and played only five games before returning to start 13 last season, albeit not at the level expected before the injury.

Now nearing the age of 31, Lewan presents a potential roster concern for the Titans going forward. Lewan is certainly a solid starter up front for Tennessee, but last season, he was not yet back to matching his peak form. Given his age and the recent injury, is he going to recover that elite form? If not, what do the Titans do about the financial disparity between his pay and performance?