A couple days after disputing reports that the Titans were working on a contract extension for center Kevin Mawae, Mawae’s agent is now saying even more forcefully that he thinks Mawae will hit the open market and not sign with Tennessee.
Mark Bartelstein, Mawae’s agent, told Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean that he thinks the Titans have decided to make younger offensive linemen -- including recently re-signed guard Eugene Amano and fourth-year backup center Leroy Harris -- a higher priority.
“I just think right now they are going to be a little more cautious as to how much money they spend on the offensive line,’' Bartelstein said. “I think they would have interest in having Kevin back, but I think right now it is leaning toward Kevin becoming a free agent and we’ll see what’s out there. No doors are close but there is no commitment made.’'
Bartelstein said he doesn’t know if the Titans want to keep Mawae as a starter, and Mawae isn’t interested in being a backup.
“I think all things being equal he’d love to be back. But he is a Pro Bowl center still, one of the top centers in the league, and anywhere he’s going to go he is going to play and be the starter and I think the Titans have a young guy there they are trying to bring along and they just made a big investment in Amano,’' Bartelstein said. “So I am not sure that the role Kevin would have as a Titan is worthy of what Kevin is as a player right now.’'
Mawae is set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 5.