Baker signs extension worth $8.5 million with Panthers
Six-year veteran Jason Baker, one of the NFL's top young punters, has signed a five-year contract extension with the Carolina Panthers.
| Punts | Avg | In 20 | In 10 | Blk | Long |
| 98 | 45.7 | 31 | 4 | 1 | 70 |
Baker, 29, had one year remaining on his current deal and would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring without the extension. The extension is worth $8.5 million and makes Baker one of the NFL's highest paid punters.
"He's a very steady player and he's our kind of person," general manager Marty Hurney said.
The former Iowa star was released six times before landing full-time employment in the league. In his two seasons with the Panthers, who acquired him from Denver in a 2005 trade that sent three-time Pro Bowl punter Todd Sauerbrun to the Broncos, Baker has averaged 44.7 yards gross and 39.2 yards net.
In 87 games with San Francisco (2001-02), Philadelphia (2002), Kansas City (2003-04), Indianapolis (2004), Denver (2004-05) and Carolina (2005-06), he has a gross average of 41.8 yards and a 35.7-yard net average. Baker has also averaged 62.2 yards on 170 kickoffs.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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