NEW YORK, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Curtis Martin, who has rushed for more than
1,000 yards in each of his seven NFL seasons, Thursday signed a contract extension with the New York Jets.
Terms were not disclosed, but Martin reportedly received a signing bonus of $10 million, and New York Newsday reported he will get $18.4 million this season.
His current contract counted for $9.5 million against the cap this season and $10 million in 2003. By giving him an extension, the Jets can convert most of his base salary in
2002 into a signing bonus, prorating it over the length of the contract. That will save the team more than $3 million on this year's cap.
Last month, St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk signed a seven-year contract worth $43.95 million that included a signing bonus of $9.3 million.
"Curtis Martin is the consummate professional athlete both on and off the football field," said Jets General Manager Terry Bradway at a news conference Thursday afternoon following the team's annual luncheon. "He represents this organization and the NFL with class and dignity. This contract extension provides him with the opportunity to continue and finish his career in New York and enables him to retire as a Jet."
Martin is entering his fifth year with the Jets after spending the first three years of his pro career with the New England Patriots. He has rushed for 9,267 yards.
In 2002, he will try to become only the second player to rush for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first eight seasons. The other is the now-retired Barry Sanders.
Martin was second in the NFL in rushing last year with 1,513 yards.
The Jets also are negotiating extensions for wide receiver Wayne Chrebet and Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae. Both are eligible to become unrestricted free agents after the 2002 season.
With 456 receptions, Chrebet is third on the team's all-time list behind Hall of Famer Don Maynard (627) and Al Toon (517).
