RICHMOND, Va. -- The Washington Redskins didn't need to see Ryan Kerrigan one more year before making a decision on his future, signing the linebacker to a five-year extension Wednesday.
Kerrigan was entering the final year of his deal. The extension is worth $57.5 million, with $24.28 million guaranteed, a source said. Kerrigan also received a $16 million signing bonus.
"When you come to the NFL you get drafted by a certain team, you immediately develop a certain affinity for that team, that organization, that city," Kerrigan said. "I certainly feel that way about the Redskins. For them to give me that kind of vote of confidence to hopefully finish my career out as a Redskin means the world to me."
The contract makes Kerrigan the third-highest-paid linebacker in the NFL in terms of annual salary, behind the Kansas City Chiefs' Justin Houston and Green Bay Packers' Clay Matthews.
"I've always been a guy that works hard, but now with the contract and what that means and me being an older guy in the room, I have to work even harder to do the right things to an even greater level," Kerrigan said.
The Redskins had been discussing an extension with Kerrigan throughout the offseason, as they have with left tackle Trent Williams.
Kerrigan is coming off his best season, including 13.5 sacks, giving him 38 in his first four seasons. Since entering the NFL in 2011, he is second in forced fumbles with 15. He had five forced fumbles last season, when he was named a Pro Bowl alternate.
"He's a guy that can get after the quarterback," Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. "So we're going to get consistent play out of Ryan. We need people around Ryan. He needs to continue to improve himself, obviously, and he will. He's that type of guy. He sets the tone for other people. When you see people like that get rewarded and you see the work he puts in on and off the field, it shows young guys what we're all about."
The Redskins lost Brian Orakpo to free agency during the offseason, but bolstered their interior pass rush with the addition of ends Stephen Paea and Ricky Jean Francois (in addition to run-stuffer Terrance Knighton). The Redskins also hope that end Jason Hatcher stays healthy, which he could not do last season.
"He can do it all," Gruden said of Kerrigan. "He's an accountable guy; he's never been late to a meeting. His work ethic is outstanding. He's a great example for younger players, and he's going to get better as years go on."