NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A cigar in his mouth, Taylor Lewan walked out the door with a white Boss Hogg suit and hat on Friday, looking like he was straight off the set from the old "Dukes of Hazzard" show.
Earlier in the day, the left tackle signed a new contract extension with the Titans.
He'll now be with the Titans for years to come. Lewan's contract was previously set to expire after the 2018 season.
"The Theme from the Dukes of Hazzard" played on a speaker as Lewan walked out with his fellow offensive linemen. Later, he'd be joined by his wife and daughter.
"I am extremely happy to be a part of this team for a few more years," Lewan said. "I think it is going to be a special few years for all of us."
Lewan reported to camp on Wednesday morning with the rest of his teammates, as the team and his agent continued discussions about a long-term deal. He was on the practice field on Thursday. The two sides began contract talks earlier this offseason, and in June Titans general manager Jon Robinson said "we are working to keep Taylor as part of this organization for a long time."
On Friday morning, the deal was finalized.
Lewan, a first-round pick (11th overall) in 2014, has blossomed into one of the top tackles in the game. He's a key piece on the team's offensive line in front of quarterback Marcus Mariota.
"I am happy for Taylor, and I am glad that is all taken care of," Mariota said. "Taylor has done such a great job for us. It is well-deserved, and I look forward to having him around for years to come."
A two-time Pro Bowler, Lewan has played in 58 games, with 53 starts, over the past four seasons. He started all 16 games for the Titans in 2016 and 2017, and started 15 of 16 games during the 2015 season.
"We did this whole (Dukes of Hazzard) thing as a joke, but in all seriousness, this is unbelievable," Lewan said. "You're not going to find a better o-line group, that's for sure.
"The only thing I am trying to be is the best left tackle I can be. Everything else, I am not here to reinvent the wheel. It doesn't matter how much you get paid. I am here to do my job."
Offensive tackle Taylor Lewan reports for the opening day of the team's 2018 training camp on Thursday at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Photos: Donn Jones, Gary Glenn, AP)
Titans OT Taylor Lewan meets with reporters on the day he agreed to a multi-year contract extension with the team. (Photos: Donn Jones, Gary Glenn, AP)