Patriots lock up LB Mayo with five-year, $50M extension

Linebacker Jerod Mayo has signed a five-year contract extension with the New England Patriots, a league source said Saturday.

Mayo receives $50 million in new money, $27 million of which is guaranteed. The linebacker is set to make $3.4 million in 2012, making this, as a practical matter, a six-year, $53.4 million deal.

Mayo is one of the leaders of the Patriots' defense. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and named an All-Pro last season, but he has been slowed by a knee injury for much of this season. Mayo still ranks third on the team with 68 total tackles despite missing two games.

Mayo was the 10th overall pick by the Patriots in the 2008 NFL Draft.