Ben Jones wants to retire with the Tennessee Titans. Here's why

For Ben Jones, it wasn’t just about returning to the Tennessee Titans.

It was about seeing through the rest of his NFL career in Nashville.

“I want to finish my career here,” Jones said Friday.

In his first comments since agreeing to terms on a multi-year extension, Jones said the Titans’ culture is the reason he didn’t want to leave. The former fourth-round pick has been Tennessee’s starting center since 2016; the anchor of the offensive line in his 96 appearances. He has missed just one game in 10 NFL seasons.

Jones’ new deal is for two years and worth $14 million, including $8 million guaranteed.

“The guys, the coaches, the people in this building,” the 32-year-old Jones said. “From the equipment (people), the trainers, to the coaches and staff. Everybody treats you a certain way. They’re amazing. You don’t know what you (have) until you get outside of this building. And the grass ain’t always greener.

“I’ve been here, I’ve loved it,” Jones continued. “I’m ready to finish it here and go win a championship.”

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The Titans locked in Jones just hours into the legal tampering window Monday, when external teams could begin contract talks with impending unrestricted free agents. Jones had interest from other teams, and there was a point when he thought he was moving on before a deal got done to return to Tennessee.

“There was a point I did have that talk with my wife,” Jones explained. “Like, ‘Hey, we might have to leave.’ Those are not easy talks or anything like that. But you have to have those talks. … But the whole thing (is) I wanted to be here and finish it here. I’m happy we got it done.”

Jones said the offensive line needs to be more consistent in 2022.

Although the unit remained a strong run-blocking unit last season – the Titans ranked fifth in rushing offense – pass protection was an issue. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was sacked 47 times, the second most in the league.

And the group will have at least two new starters next season. Pro Bowl left guard Rodger Saffold was released last week in a cost-saving move and right tackle David Quessenberry was not tendered as a restricted free agent, according to a source, making him an unrestricted free agent.

"Losing that game on our home field when our fans showed up, it hurts and it stuck with me for a while,” Jones said of the AFC divisional-round loss to the Bengals. “I’m just ready to get back to it because it’s a bad taste.”

Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at barthur@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ben Jones wants to retire with Tennessee Titans. Here's why