The Tennessee Titans and Jeff Fisher reportedly have reached an agreement that will make the coach of the AFC champions one of the NFL’s highest paid.

The Titans and Fisher could disclose details on Tuesday of a contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2003 season, according to reports by The Tennessean and WKRN-TV of Nashville.

Fisher, who has one year left on his current contract, gave the Titans a deadline of Thursday, the end of the team's minicamp, to complete negotiations.

The new contract is expected to put Fisher in the same salary range as Steelers head coach Bill Cowher, Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin and Panthers head coach George Seifert. Each earns between $2.2 and $2.5 million per season. Signed in 1996, Fisher's old contract paid him between $800,000 and $900,000 in 1999.

Fisher and team officials agreed if no new deal was struck before Thursday, no more talks would be held until the end of the season.

ProFootballWeekly.com asked contributing editor Joel Buchsbaum for his thoughts on the subject.

Q: What have the negotiations centered on?

Buchsbaum: Basically, control. I think Jeff Fisher wants more control. Jeff’s a very good coach, he’s a likable person, but he’s also very loyal to his friends. Before last year, if (general manager) Floyd Reese didn’t force him to make some coaching changes, they never would have been to the Super Bowl. (New assistant) Jim Washburn made a huge difference over Rex Norris on the defensive line.

Q: Why has Fisher’s stock risen so much?

Buchsbaum: He won last year. Everything came together. (Even during the three 8-8 years), he held the team together in three different places.

Q: What are some of Fisher’s best attributes?

Buchsbaum: He’s a very good people person. He comes across as being upfront, down to earth and honest.

Q: Is there anything he’s lacking as a head coach?