The Green Bay Packers signed cornerback Charles Woodson to a contract extension through the 2014 season, a deal that likely will allow the 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year to retire with the team.
A league source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora on Thursday that the extension also alters the final three years of Woodson's existing contract. As a result, Woodson could earn as much as $55 million over the next five seasons.
Woodson, 33, was set to receive roughly $6.5 million in base salary, plus a $900,000 roster bonus, during each of the next three years for a total of $22.2 million. In the new deal, Woodson's 2010 salary remains unchanged, but he will average about $11 million per season in 2011 and 2012, then have salaries of $10 million in each of the final two seasons.
Woodson, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, is entering his fifth season with the Packers after spending eight with the Oakland Raiders.
"The mission at this point is to retire here," Woodson said. "It's a big deal."
And Woodson wants to bring a championship to Green Bay before it's all over.
"I mean, we've got it here," Woodson said. "We've got the players to get it done. We've got the coaching staff to get it done. It's all going to rest on our shoulders, on the players to go out there and get it done. Our mission as a team is to get there and I think we can do it."
Woodson's standout play, combined with a recent new deal for New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, likely compelled the Packers to act.
Woodson had a career-high nine interceptions last season and was the cornerstone of a much-improved defense under coordinator Dom Capers.
"I love the defense," Woodson said. "I can't say enough about playing in the 3-4 and playing for Dom Capers. All of those things combined brings us to this point. I'm very happy about this moment."
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Woodson came to Green Bay as an unrestricted free agent before the 2006 season, but he wasn't enthusiastic about the move at the time. Known as something of a malcontent in Oakland, Woodson didn't have many other offers on the table, so he went to the Packers.
Woodson didn't have a positive perception of the town or the team coming in, but he came around eventually.
"It was a gradual thing," Woodson said. "I think probably the more people that I met around here in the community and just throughout Wisconsin and just playing here with the guys that we have and the organization and the way they are with their players and the way they take care of their players, it was a gradual process. Once I realized what I had here in Green Bay, then it was a done deal from there."
Today, Woodson is seen as a leader in the defense and mentor to young players.
"He's like a big brother to all of us," safety Nick Collins said. "If he's getting a new contract, congrats, it's well-deserved."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
