Jake Delhomme was rewarded Thursday for helping guide the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl, getting a five-year contract extension worth $38 million.
Delhomme will get $12 million up front, including a signing bonus and option bonuses. Delhomme had one year remaining on his two-year contract.
Delhomme relieved Rodney Peete at halftime against Jacksonville in the first game of the season and led the team back from a 17-point deficit to win 24-23.
He started 19 straight games after that, leading the Panthers to playoff victories over Dallas, St. Louis and Philadelphia.
Then he threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns in a last-minute 32-29 loss to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
In the regular season, Delhomme threw for 3,219 yards with 19 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
"It's kind of a dream come true," Delhomme said after Thursday's practice. "When you're coming out of college undrafted, you're just trying to hang on by a thread. Luckily I did. It's funny how things work out."
The deal came on the final day of the team's three-week minicamp.
"Everybody in the league is trying identify their quarterback, and when you identify that guy, getting him locked up for the future is paramount to your success," Panthers head coach John Fox said.
Delhomme was also relieved to get the deal done.
"I've been around guys who haven't performed their best with a contract lingering over their heads," Delhomme said. "Having that behind me, now it's just total football when training camp starts."
The Panthers also used the offseason to wrap up Delhomme's favorite target, receiver Steve Smith, with a six-year, $28 million contract.
PATRIOTS EXTEND BRUSCHI: The New England Patriots have signed linebacker Tedy Bruschi to a contract extension through 2007.
Bruschi, who acts as his own agent, was scheduled to become a free agent after the 2004 season. The new deal includes a total base salary of $4.6 million over the next four years, according to the Web site of the NFL Players Association.
Bruschi's signing bonus was not disclosed. Patriots spokesman Stacey James said Thursday the team does not comment on contract extensions.
EMMITT A STARTER AGAIN: Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, was designated Thursday as the Arizona Cardinals starting running back.
Coach Dennis Green made the announcement at the close of offseason workouts. Marcel Shipp, who took over last season after Smith broke his shoulder, will be the backup.
When Smith returned after missing six games, he remained the backup.
LITTLE INDICTED: Rams defensive end Leonard Little was indicted on charges of persistent drunken driving, nearly two months after police in a St. Louis suburb arrested him.
Little pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in an alcohol-related wreck that killed a St. Louis woman in 1998. The latest indictment mirrors charges in a criminal complaint filed against him April 26.
BACHELOR BREAKUP: New York Giants quarterback Jesse Palmer and the woman he chose on "The Bachelor" have broken up. Palmer selected Jessica Bowlin from the 25 women competing for his affection on the most recent season of the ABC reality dating show.
"Jessica and I shared an incredible romantic journey on the show that began with a friendship that remains strong today," said Palmer, 25. "We simply realized that, individually, our next steps take us in different directions."