NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with defensive lineman Jurrell Casey.
The move keeps the two-time Pro Bowler with the franchise for a long time.
A third-round draft pick by the team in 2011, Casey has 467 career tackles, 33 career sacks and 106 quarterback pressures.
He's coming off a 2016 season when he recorded 51 tackles and five sacks, which earned him another Pro Bowl trip. With five sacks, he became the first player for the team in the "Titans era" to register four consecutive seasons with at least five sacks.
Casey said earlier this week he worked on his strength this offseason, and he can tell a difference.
"I am 10 times stronger than I was," Casey said. "A lot of times I looked at the film (this offseason) and you see a lot of plays you can make. If you stay in your gap and use proper technique, if you have a little more oomph, then that is one split second in making the play and not making the play.
"I want to make sure I make every play I possibly can."
In addition to his work on the field, Casey has also had a strong presence in the Nashville community. Casey was voted the 2016 Tennessee Titans Walter Payton Man of the Year, which recognizes players for excellence on and off the field. Casey has been a fixture as community events, and he also serves as the spokesperson for United Way of Metropolitan Nashville.
"It is rare to do a contract extension early in this business," said Titans executive vice president/general manager Jon Robinson. "But Jurrell is a unique player in that he was drafted here, has already done an extension with the team, is a standout in our community, and has earned multiple Pro Bowl invitations. We are happy to have him as a Titan for many years to come."
The Titans reported to training camp on Friday. The team's first practice is scheduled for Saturday.
TitansOnline.com looks back at DT Jurrell Casey's 2016 Pro Bowl season. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
