The Steelers rewarded starting halfback Willie Parker Thursday with a four-year, $13.6 million extension that included $3.75 million to sign.
In new money, the Parker deal is considered a three-year extension that totals $13.2 million and has him signed through 2009. He receives a $3.75 million signing bonus and keeps his $425,000 base salary. The Steelers can look it as a four-year deal worth $13.6 million while Parker looks at it as a three-year deal worth $13.2 million.
Parker was one of the great stories in 2005. An undrafted halfback out of North Carolina, Parker won the starting job and helped the Steelers win their fifth Super Bowl ring as an organization. The 5-foot-10, 209-pound Parker rushed for 1,202 yards on 255 carries and four touchdowns.
He was the Steelers' big play back and teamed up with Jerome Bettis in 2005 to give the Steelers a great one-two punch.
Bettis has since retired, and the Steelers are counting on Duce Staley to be team's big back. The Steelers are considering expanding Parker's role and maybe using him a little on third downs. Verron Haynes is the team's third down back, but Parker can give the Steelers some big-play run ability in passing situations.
Parker was an exclusive rights free agent with a salary of $425,000. He signed the one-year contract before the start of training camp with the hopes that the Steelers would reward him with long-term security.
Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com.