CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The Carolina Panthers have signed defensive tackle Kris Jenkins to a five-year contract extension.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
The Charlotte Observer reported the deal is worth $31 million and includes a $9.175 million signing bonus.
"Kris has quickly become one of our core players on defense, and we felt it was very important to make sure he'll be with the Carolina Panthers for a long time," said General Manager Marty Hurney.
Jenkins, a Pro Bowler for the first time in his career last season, had a contract that ran through the 2004 campaign.
Jenkins, 24, is part of one of the top defensive lines in football that also features Julius Peppers, Brentson Buckner, and Mike Rucker.
Peppers is signed through 2008 and Rucker and Buckner are signed through 2007.
Jenkins, a 2001 second-round pick, had two sacks in his rookie year, but had seven last season while starting all 16 games. The 6-4, 335-pounder has 10 tackles, a sack and a blocked field goal through three games this season.
