The Tennessee Titans' Jurrell Casey signed a four-year, $36 million extension that will keep him under contract with the team through 2018. The Titans wanted to lock-up the 2011 draft pick before he hit the costless agent market next year. Drew Rosenhaus, Casey's agent, says that it's a four-year deal worth $36 million ($20.5 million guaranteed) for the big defensive tackle. The contract and the guaranteed money is the highest on the entire Tennessee Titans team.
Casey was good enough to make the Pro Bowl, but was snubbed with 10.5-sacks and with 55 tackles. The Titans and the defensive tackle have been talking about a contract extension for the last several of months.
“We are excited to come to an agreement on an extension with Jurrell,” Tennessee Titans' general manager Ruston Webster said. “This is something Jurrell has earned not only with his play on the field, but his work ethic as well. We appreciate Jurrell’s professionalism through this process."
A starter since his rookie season, 2013 was Casey's breakthrough year and now he is the clear-cut leader of the Titans' defense. He played his college football for USC from 2008 to 2010. Listed at 6'1" 305 pounds, his quickness through the gaps and nose for the ball has been very evident in his short career.
He was named a second-team All-Pro in 2013 and new defensive coordinator Ray Horton will plan on him to be a big part of what is going on these days in Music City. After recording 5.5 sacks in his first two seasons combined, Casey nearly doubled that total in just one season. He is the piece that Horton can build around on that defensive line, and bring back that tenacious Titans' defensive reputation.
All through the Tennessee Titans' brief history, they've been good when their defensive line has been as well. From Jevon Kearse and Kevin Carter to 'Big' Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch, the Titans were always bringing the heat when they were contenders. That nasty lunch pail attitude was the type of play that Middle Tennessee fell in love with. Jurell Casey fits that mold.
With the new Ken Whisenhunt era beginning, this signing shows that hard work and discipline will be rewarded. That is exactly how you motivate one of the NFL's youngest teams. It's always good to see a team build through the draft and reward the men who lead. Getting rid of Chris Johnson's salary this off-season helped clear money for this contract extension. If things continue in Nashville, Jurrell's signing could be the beginning of something big that all fans will look back on and appreciate.