Minnesota Vikings sign Linval Joseph to $50M extension

The Minnesota Vikings and nose tackle Linval Joseph agreed to a four-year contract extension Saturday.

The extension is worth $50 million with $31.5 million guaranteed, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The extension was confirmed by his Joseph's agency, SportsTrust Advisors.

Joseph, 28, had a career season in 2016 with 77 tackles, four sacks and three forced fumbles in 16 games.

The 6-foot-4, 329-pound Joseph is entering the fourth season of a five-year, free agent deal he signed with the Vikings in 2014.

Coach Mike Zimmer said earlier this week that Joseph is the "best (nose tackle) I've ever been around."

In the last couple of weeks, the Vikings also extended the contracts of defensive end Everson Griffen and cornerback Xavier Rhodes.

Griffen's four-year extension included $58 million in new money, with $34 million guaranteed, locking him in through 2022. Rhodes signed a six-year, $78.6 million deal, including $41 million guaranteed, that also keeps him under contract through 2022.