The Seahawks rewarded versatile defensive back
Jordan Babineaux on Tuesday by giving him a five-year extension worth $10 million. There are enough incentives and escalators in the deal that could make it worth as much as $17 million.
Included in the deal is $3 million of guarantees. Babineaux, who was set to become a free agent after the season, is now signed through 2012.
The 25-year-old Babineaux has been one of the Seahawks' key targets to re-sign since the start of the season. Babineaux, kicker Josh Brown and right tackle Sean Locklear headed the list of Seahawks free agents at the end of the season.
Brown could be franchised next year if he doesn't get a long-term deal, and the Seahawks are using the season to see if Locklear deserves big money to be the long-term right tackle.
That put Babineaux, perhaps the most important bench player on the team, at the priority list for re-signing. When the Seahawks were thin on cornerbacks, Babineaux helped out in the slot and even has started when needed.
His main role is in the nickel, which has undergone a lot of change over the past couple of years. General manager Tim Ruskell has been phasing out veterans and replacing them with quality draft choices at the cornerback position. He brought in Deon Grant and Brian Russell to overhaul the safety positions.
In extending Babineaux's contract, the Seahawks should have their secondary set for the next couple of years although they have to decide in the next year or so whether to give a long-term deal to cornerback Marcus Trufant.
Talks for Babinueax heated up over the past two weeks and came to a conclusion around midnight Monday when the Seahawks struck an agreement with Babineaux's agents, Peter Shaffer and John Rickert.
John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com.