The Seattle Seahawks officially signed safety Earl Thomas to a contract extension on Tuesday, reportedly making him the highest-paid NFL player in his position.
The defensive star had a career-high 105 tackles, five interceptions and nine passes defended in 16 games last season, leading the Seahawks "Legion of Boom" defensive secondary in the team's run to a first Super Bowl title.
Terms of the deal were not announced, but multiple media outlets reported on Monday that the deal was worth $US40 million ($A43.3 million) over four years, with $US27.725 million ($A30 million) guaranteed.
Since he was selected by the Seahawks with the 14th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, Thomas has started 64 consecutive regular-season games and all seven of the Seahawks' post-season games.
"This is where I grew up," the 24-year-old Thomas said at a media conference to confirm the deal, which adds four years to the one year he has remaining on his rookie contract. "I'm excited to keep this thing rolling."
