One of the Titans’ ascending defenders has landed a new deal just before the regular season kicks off. Safety Amani Hooker has agreed to terms on a three-year extension worth $33MM, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweets that the deal includes $19.5MM guaranteed, and a $10MM signing bonus. 
The team has confirmed the deal, which will keep Hooker on the books through 2026. A fourth-round pick of the Titans in 2019, he has taken on a larger role with each passing season over the course of his three years in the league. In 2021, he cemented his status as a full-time starter.
The 24-year-old was limited to 12 games last season due to a groin injury, but he still totaled 62 tackles, one interception and improved coverage statistics from the previous year. He and Kevin Byard have become an effective tandem on the backend of the Titans’ defense, leading to reports that Tennessee was prioritizing an extension for Hooker this offseason.
At $11MM per year on average, this deal will place Hooker in the top 15 at the safety position, one which has seen a number of massive deals this summer. Chief among those have been the record-breaking extensions given to Derwin James and Minkah Fitzpatrick, but other players such as Arizona’s Jalen Thompson have benefitted as well.
Given this new contract, and the pact Byard is playing on (which averages $14.1MM per season), the Titans will have one of the league’s more expensive safety tandems for at least the short-term future. If Hooker continues his growth over the length of the deal, however, the investment could prove worthwhile as the Titans look to remain AFC contenders.