NASHVILLE – The man in the middle of the Titans offensive line is also in the middle of the team's plans moving forward.
The Titans have agreed to terms with center Ben Jones on a multi-year contract extension.
The team initially signed Jones in the 2016 free agency period, and he's been a fixture on the offensive line ever since.
In 2018, Jones started all 16 games at center, registering a start in every contest for the fifth consecutive season, including his final two years in Houston (2014-15). Jones was originally selected by the Texans in the fourth round (99th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia.
Jones has started games at center, left guard and right guard during his NFL career and has opened holes for four 1,000-yard rushers. He appeared in his 100th career game in Week 4 of the 2018 season and has never missed a game in his seven-year career.
At the end of the 2018 season, among NFL offensive linemen listed as centers, Jones ranked first in the NFL with 80 consecutive games started. He had played in 112 consecutive games, which at this point is tied for the longest active consecutive games streak among NFL offensive linemen.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel praised Jones earlier this week.
"I think when you look at Ben's personality, he's got a great reach in the locker room, he's got a great ability to reach a lot of different players and a lot of different positions," Vrabel said. "I think first of all that that's unique. He's a very instinctive and aware player. He's a very smart football player and I would say that his number one redeeming quality is his toughness. So, when you combine all those things together, I think you could play multiple positions."
In addition to his play on the field, Jones has also played a big role in the Nashville community.
In 2017, Jones established The Jones Mission Fund at The Community Foundation to provide at-risk youth with opportunities they might otherwise not have through grants, additional resources and educational opportunities.
For the past three offseasons, Jones and his wife Alex have hosted the annual Ben Jones Celebrity Clay Shoot. The three events combined have raised more than $400,000 benefitting The Jones Mission Fund.
