A.J. Brown, Titans Had 'Preliminary' Contract Extension Talks, per GM Jon Robinson

Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson confirmed the team has held "very preliminary" talks with star wide receiver A.J. Brown about an extension.

Robinson added that Brown "knows how we feel about him" as the 24-year-old enters the final year of his rookie contract.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported in January the two sides had mutual interest in a deal that "would no doubt make him one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL."

After making the Pro Bowl in 2020, Brown saw his numbers dip slightly in 2021. He caught 63 passes for 869 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games. A chest injury briefly sidelined him in the second half.

Still, Pro Football Focus' Anthony Treash ranked him as the 14th-best wideout from this past year:

"Brown was again one of the most productive wide receivers in the league. His 2.50 yards per route run ranked inside the top 10 among qualifying wide receivers in the regular season. Brown was actually one of eight receivers to record over 2.0 yards per route run in the slot and out wide this season. And he did all that while battling injuries at four different points from the preseason to the regular season’s end."

After Ryan Tannehill (four years, $118 million) and Derrick Henry (four years, $50 million) were rewarded by the Titans with long-term extensions, Brown will understandably believe it's his turn now.

The fact that Tennessee is looking to win a Super Bowl should provide him with some leverage. The underwhelming initial returns from the Julio Jones trade might heighten the need to keep Brown around, too.

Jones had the worst season of his career (31 catches, 434 yards, one touchdown) in 2021, and the 33-year-old is hitting free agency in 2023.

With Jones potentially on the decline, losing Brown would be a massive blow to the offense.

Beyond the traditional levers at his disposal, it may not be a coincidence Brown is flirting with a return to baseball. Although he didn't play baseball in college, he played in the prestigious Under Armour All-America game in high school. The San Diego Padres selected the outfielder in the 19th round of the 2016 MLB draft.

Will Brown leave the NFL at his peak in order to toil in the minor leagues for a few years while earning much less than he would in football? Probably not, but it's a plausible enough outcome.

In the event the Titans fail to strike an agreement with Brown's representatives over a new contract, the franchise tag will be there for Robinson. That might make it more expensive to keep him around beyond 2023, though.

The fact the two sides are at least talking is a positive sign regarding negotiations.