Cowboys DT Ratliff will sign five-year, $40M extension

Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms with nose tackle Jay Ratliff on a five-year contract extension, the team announced Friday.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora, citing a league source, reported the extension is worth $40 million, including $18 million guaranteed. The extension keeps Ratliff, who has two years remaining on his current contract, in a Cowboys uniform through 2017.

Talks between the Cowboys and Ratliff's agent, Mark Slough, heated up this week as both sides hoped to finalize a deal before the team's regular-season opener Sunday night against the New York Jets.

Ratliff is set to earn $3.75 million this season and just under $4.9 million in 2012 as part of his current deal, according to The Dallas Morning News.

The 6-foot-4, 287-pound lineman has been named to three straight Pro Bowls and has started every game for the Cowboys over the past three seasons. He has registered 25 sacks during his six seasons in Dallas.