Delanie Walker, Titans Agree on New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The Tennessee Titans and tight end Delanie Walker agreed to terms on a multiyear contract extension Friday, per Jim Wyatt of the team's official website.

According to ESPN.com's Adam Schefter, it's a two-year extension worth up to $14.7 million, including $8.2 million guaranteed.

Walker was slated to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2016 season, per Spotrac, so securing his services long-term before he hit the open market was a prudent decision by the Titans front office.

After the deal was announced, Titans general manager Jon Robinson explained why the move was a no-brainer, per the team's official release:

"

Delanie is an integral piece of the offense. In my short time around him, he came in and bought into our philosophy of what Titan football is going to be about. Obviously he's a Pro Bowl player with great individual statistics, but his commitment and his desire and willingness to compete to the team concept of wanting to win is as important. We are looking forward to his on-field performance, but his positive impact in the community as well.

"

Walker arrived in Tennessee prior to the 2013 season, and his production has improved every year since.

After tallying 60 catches for 571 yards and six touchdowns during his first season as a member of the Titans, Walker posted 63 catches for 890 yards and four scores in 2014. Then, with rookie signal-caller Marcus Mariota under center in 2015, Walker erupted.

Over the course of 15 appearances, the 31-year-old tallied a career-high 1,088 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 94 receptions—a mark that led all tight ends. Walker also recorded 13 receptions of at least 20 yards, which ranked fifth overall among tight ends behind Rob Gronkowski, Greg Olsen, Gary Barnidge and Jordan Reed.

Season	Team	Targets	Receptions	Rec. Yds	TD
2006	SF	4	2	30	0
2007	SF	42	21	174	1
2008	SF	16	10	155	1
2009	SF	33	21	233	0
2010	SF	45	29	331	0
2011	SF	35	19	198	3
2012	SF	39	21	344	3
2013	Tenn	86	60	571	6
2014	Tenn	106	63	890	4
2015	Tenn	133	94	1,088	6

"He has proven to be one of the safest targets a young quarterback could ask for, which has been especially valuable, since the Tennessee wide receiver group has remained in a state of flux, showing very little in 2015 outside of Kendall Wright," Pro Football Focus' Sam Monson wrote toward the end of the 2015 season.

However, Walker doesn't appear intent on letting his production plateau following the most productive season of his career, according to Wyatt:

"

I always felt like I was an elite tight end in the league, and I finally got the opportunity to play in the Pro Bowl. But it hasn't changed me. I am still hungry, and I want to do more. This time, I don't want to be an alternate. I want to be that guy that gets voted in and I know that takes us winning games. This year I really think we are going to win the games and I'll probably get the recognition I deserve.

"

With Mariota poised to take the next step in his developmental process, running backs DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry in tow and No. 8 overall pick Jack Conklin a potential franchise cornerstone along the offensive line, there's a strong chance Walker's profile will rise in conjunction with the Titans' ascent up the AFC South ranks.