Titans agree to contract extension with veteran tight end

Tight end Craig Stevens signed a contract extension with the Tennessee Titans on Friday, the team announced.

The deal, which according to multiple reports is for four years, was struck roughly six weeks before Stevens, a third-round pick in 2008, was to become a free agent.

“Craig is one of our young core guys for us,” general manager Mike Reinfeldt said. “We will continue to see him improve into one of the better combo tight ends in the league.”

Stevens caught nine passes for a career-high 166 yards with one touchdown in 2011. He also was a reliable blocker in the run game and a contributor to all of Tennessee’s special teams units.

He has missed just six games in four seasons. For his career he has caught 21 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns.

“This deal came together very quickly,” Reinfeldt said. “He wanted to be a part of what we are building here and this is a deal that was good for both sides.”