NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans will not pick up the fifth-year option for right guard Chance Warmack, which would have tied him to the team through 2017, the team announced.
"At this point and time for our football team, as we manage the roster and salary cap, we believe this is in the best interest of our team," GM Jon Robinson said in the team's press release. "We expect Chance to play well for us this year; and we are not closing the door on his long-term future with our franchise."
Warmack was the 10th pick in the 2013 draft. He's started all but two games in his three years with the team.
The fifth-year option would have lined Warmack up for a salary of between $11 and $12 million in 2017 based on the formula for fifth-year options for first-round picks.
The final year of Warmack's rookie contract calls for a guaranteed roster bonus of $1.389 million on the fifth day of training camp and a guaranteed base salary of $675,000.
He's in line to remain in place, with new veteran addition Ben Jones at center and No. 8 pick in the draft Jack Conklin at right tackle.
But coach Mike Mularkey left open the possibility that the team will move Warmack to left tackle, the spot he played at Alabama, as the Titans look at all possible permutations for their offensive line.
If Warmack remains in his spot, where he's been a roughly average player, left guard will be the position that most needs sorting out.
Last year's third-rounder Jeremiah Poutasi, 2015 undrafted signee Quinton Spain, veteran Byron Bell and new sixth-round tackle Sebastian Tretola are expected to battle for the role.
With Warmack now slated to be a free agent in 2017, the Titans could have starting guards in Poutasi and Tretola if they decide to move on from Warmack or if another team decides to pursue him.