Vince Young Might Be Willing to Take Pay Cut to Stay With Titans

When it became clear that Vince Young wasn't going to get his starting job back from Kerry Collins, the speculation began. Young, selected third-overall in the 2006 draft -- before Matt Leinart or Jay Cutler -- started 13 games as a rookie, leading the Titans to an 8-8 record (including a 6-1 finish). In 2007, Young started 15 times, the Titans won 10 games, and they qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2003. All seemed well.

Then, last season, VY went down with a knee injury in Week 1, Collins came in, performed well enough to keep the gig (the Titans went 13-3 and Collins got a new deal), and the talk turned to Young's future in Tennessee.

In April, JJ Cooper wrote that Young's rookie contract, along with the fact that he's now a backup, could mean he'll be looking for work after the 2009 season. Vince carries just a $4.6 million salary-cap figure for this year, but that jumps to $14 million in '10. That's a lot of coin for a guy who can't beat out Kerry Collins.

Which is why, according to the Nashville City Paper, Young might be amenable to a pay cut.

... Young's agent, Major Adams, told The City Paper that he and Young might be willing to lower that cap number in an effort to remain on the team, if something agreeable can be worked out.

"We haven't had any communication yet. Vince is just concentrating on the season. I think that depends on after this year," Adams said. "We're willing to talk about his cap situation, but I believe it'll be after the season."

It wouldn't be the first time a quarterback taken high in the draft offered to rework his deal. Alex Smith, selected first overall by the 49ers in 2005, did just that a few months ago. His new deal will pay him $6.5 million over two years, saving San Francisco as much as $6 million against the cap.

I'm sure this isn't how Young envisioned his career playing out, but taking less money to stay in Tennessee will still pay him more than he'd get on the open market. Plus, Collins only has a year or two left and Young will have a chance to re-win the job. This assumes, of course, the Titans plan on keeping him around at a reduced salary or otherwise.