McNair reportedly has deal ready with Ravens

If Tennesee releases or trades him, quarterback would be ready to sign

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The salary cap may force Tennessee's hand in dealing with quarterback Steve McNair.

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updated 6:55 p.m. ET May 8, 2006

Titans quarterback Steve McNair will sign immediately as the Ravens new starter if he's traded or released, according to a published report.

The two-time Pro Bowler has already agreed to terms with Baltimore that would pay him a signing bonus close to $11 million and $1 million in base salary, the Baltimore Sun reported today. The newspaper said the length of the deal wasn't known.

McNair is scheduled to make $9 million next season. The Ravens declined to respond to the Sun in the matter.

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Salary cap restrictions require Tennessee either restructure McNair's contract, release or trade him to clear space for draft picks or free agents.

The Sun reported Titans officials gave McNair permission to speak to the Ravens on Sunday. A league source told The Sun that McNair's agent seemed "agreeable" to a deal offered by the Ravens in initial negotiations.

The Ravens attempted to trade for McNair on Sunday, offering a fifth-round pick on the draft's final day. Tennessee's counter of a fourth-round pick was rebuffed, the newspaper reported.

McNair could become a free agent in two weeks. His has filed a grievance that the Titans breached his contract by preventing him from using their workout facility. That will be heard May 16. The players union, which filed the grievance on McNair's behalf, contends Tennessee must allow him back into the training complex or release him.

The Titans say they are within their legal rights to protect against an on-site injury, which would make the club liable for McNair's large cap number, the Sun reported.