Cook hoping Titans extend his contract

During the first three years of his time in Tennessee, Jared Cook has slowly but steadily progressed into a valuable part of the Titans offense.

Now, Cook is hoping he is valuable enough that the Titans will want to re-up him with a contract extension.

"I would like to stay here. I like Tennessee a lot, but you just kind of block it out and take care of your job. As long as you take care of your job, you’ll be all right,” Cook said. “I’m still waiting (to hear), but hopefully soon," Cook told TitanInsider.com.

Cook's numbers have gone up by 20 catches each year in Tennessee from 9 to 29 and then to 49 last season. The Titans' M.O. in the front office is usually to extend players who are approaching the last year of their contract if they want to keep him. Or if they still want to see more, use the franchise tag, which could be an option for Cook in 2013.

Given how valuable receiving tight ends who can create mismatches have become, Cook could cash in on the free market if the Titans allow him to get there.

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Terry McCormick covers the Titans for TitanInsider.com