Titans To Make George Richest RB
The Tennessee Titans reached an agreement Monday that will make Eddie George the highest-paid running back in the NFL, his agent said.
Lamont Smith confirmed that terms had been reached for a six-year contract extension worth $42 million, including a $14 million signing bonus that will be paid out over the next 10 months.
"The thing we're most pleased about is the deal places him in that elite category, which he deserves," he said Monday night.
A news conference was scheduled for 4 p.m. CT Tuesday at the Titans' practice facility to announce the extension.
The Titans had made signing George, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, their top priority after signing coach Jeff Fisher to a new contract this offseason.
George, the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State, has been the focus of the offense since he was drafted in 1996, and he had said he wanted the deal done before reporting for training camp Friday.
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| Eddie George's six-year extension will make him the richest RB in the NFL.(AP) |
George, who turns 27 in September, has not missed a game in his first four seasons and has 25 100-yard games. The Titans are 20-5 when he has rushed for 100 yards, and he turned in a career-high with 1,762 combined yards and a career-best 13 touchdowns last season as the franchise reached its first Super Bowl in 40 years.
George also is one of only four running backs to rush for at least 1,200 yards in each of their first four seasons, joining Eric Dickerson, Earl Campbell and Barry Sanders.
Last year the Indianapolis Colts signed rookie Edgerrin James to a seven-year, $49 million contract, while the St. Louis Rams signed Marshall Faulk to a seven-year, $45 million deal. Jamal Anderson of the Atlanta Falcons signed a five-year, $32 million contract last year.
The signing bonus equals the $14 million cornerback Ty Law received from the New England Patriots and tops the $13 million to receiver Keyshawn Johnson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Joey Galloway's $12 million from the Dallas Cowboys.
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