It is the equivalent of a tasty hors d'oeuvres, something to sate the appetite of Tennessee Titans star defensive end Jevon Kearse until a main course is delivered by team officials, probably some time after the 2002 season.

Stepping out of character a bit, the Titans have reached an agreement with Kearse on an incentives package to augment his 2002 base salary, a deal that likely is the prelude to contract extension negotiations next spring. The incentives package, which could pay Kearse more than $1 million in bonuses, has been two years in the making.

"We've been going at it a long time," said agent Drew Rosenhaus, who did not represent the three-year veteran when he signed his original rookie contract in 1999. "The Titans have a policy of not renegotiating a contract that still has more than one season on it, and I respect that, so this is a temporary resolution amenable to both sides."

Kearse, who was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three NFL seasons, is under contract through 2003. His base salary for this season is $1.425 million and he already has earned a $100,000 roster bonus for 2002. Because the former University of Florida star reached enough performance benchmarks in his first three years to trigger an "escalator," his base salary for 2003 is $4 million. He also has a $100,000 roster bonus due next spring.

But the combination of an already lofty salary cap number for 2003, one that figures to be boosted by incentives earned this season, almost certainly will serve as an impetus next summer for extension discussions. The incentives deal clearly was an attempt to address a base salary that is now obsolete, given Kearse's performance over three years, and create a degree of good will for future contract negotiations.

The team's first-round choice in the '99 draft, Kearse has posted 36 sacks and 146 tackles his first three seasons, and has never missed a game. He set a league rookie record with 14½ sacks in 1999. Kearse, nicknamed "The Freak" because of incredible athleticism, also has 15 forced fumbles and 17 passes defensed.

The incentives package was actually consummated June 13, according to NFL Players Association records, but was not publicly acknowledged until Thursday morning. NFLPA documents reveal a variety of mechanisms for Kearse to collect on bonuses, most tied to individual and team performance.

Significant in the agreement is that the Titans have advanced Kearse $750,000 of his base salary of $1.425 million for 2002. That is meaningful because the Titans are believed to be the only NFL franchise which pays its players on a year-round basis, twice monthly, while other teams disseminate paychecks only during the season.

Kearse, 25, can earn up to $500,000 in sack-related add-ons. The bonuses start at $50,000 for 10 sacks, if the Titans qualify for the playoffs. To max out that particular incentive, Kearse needs to register 17 sacks and the Titans have to be in the playoffs.

There are additional incentives for fumble recoveries (for instance, $50,000 for four recoveries), interceptions ($25,000 for two) and yardage gained and touchdowns scored on interception or fumble returns. The package includes playing time incentives which are tied to team performance and which increased based on how far Tennessee advances in the playoffs. Should the Titans go to the Super Bowl, for instance, Kearse will collect $100,000 for leading the team in sacks.

He can make $50,000 for leading the AFC in sacks, $100,000 for leading the league, and $750,000 if he is the NFL's defensive player of the year. There is a $200,000 incentive for All-Pro honors and a $100,000 bonus for a Pro Bowl selection.

Chances are slim that Kearse will collect on every incentive -- "He's have to be Super Bowl MVP, defensive player of the year and set an NFL record for sacks," Titans general manager Floyd Reese told The Tennessean newspaper -- but it's conceivable he could earn seven figures in bonus compensation.

Perhaps more important is that the two sides have now strengthened their relationship and paved the way for a future contract extension.

"I have a world of respect for (team president) Jeff Diamond and Floyd Reese for getting this done," Rosenhaus said. "I think the ultimate goal for both parties, though, remains a new contract for Jevon that keeps him with the Titans for a long time."

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.