Packers keep Pickett, Collins

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The Green Bay Packers franchised nose tackle Ryan Pickett with the idea of keeping him for at least one year.

Now, they can keep him for four years. Pickett agreed to a four-year, $28 million contract on the same day the Packers reached a three-year extension on safety Nick Collins.

Collins' agents, Dave Butz and Alan Herman, have confirmed a report on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Web site that Collins' deal was for $23.4 million.

Pickett made the successful conversion to nose tackle last year and helped make the Packers one of the top defenses in the league last season.

"We have continued to talk to Ryan and his representatives and are pleased we were able to sign Ryan to this extension," general manager Ted Thompson said. "He has been a key part of our success on defense, and we look forward to having Ryan be a part of our future in Green Bay."

Collins, a second-round draft pick by the Packers in 2005, leads all safeties with 13 interceptions since 2008. His 405 interception return yards leads all players over that time.

"Nick has been an impact player for us, and we look forward to having him continue his career as a Packer," Thompson said.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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John Clayton

NFL senior writer

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• Senior NFL writer and commentator
• Joined ESPN in 1995
• Member of the writers' wing of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio