Just two years ago, the Buffalo Bills were concerned about their punting situation in general, and about Brian Moorman more specifically.

Now the two sides, it seems, don't have to sweat over security anymore.

ESPN.com has learned that Moorman and the Bills have agreed to a new seven-year contract, a deal that runs through the 2009 season, and will be worth at least $6 million to the two-year veteran. The contract will be signed later this week.

Moorman, 27, will receive a signing bonus of $300,000, a roster bonus of $100,000 and a base salary of $600,000 for 2003. The $1.025 million in total compensation represents a $650,000 increase over what Buffalo was compelled to pay Moorman in this third season. Because he was an "exclusive rights" free agent, Moorman was precluded from soliciting offers from other franchises, and the Bills essentially could have forced him to play for the third-year minimum base salary of $375,000.

But in choosing to instead sign Moorman to a long-term contract, the Bills hope to gain the kind of stability they had at the punter position before 2001, when Chris Mohr owned the job for a decade. For his part, Moorman nearly trebles what he was scheduled to earn in 2003, and also gets future security.

The remaining annual base salaries: $600,000 (2004), $650,000 (2005), $700,000 (2006), $750,000 (2007), $825,000 (2008) and $1.15 million (2009). After the third season, the Bills must exercise an option to trigger the final four years of the contract. That option payment is at least $300,000, and can be as high as $1 million, based on the number of Pro Bowl berths Moorman earns.

After two failed attempts to make the Seattle roster, and two seasons performing in the NFL Europe League, Moorman signed with the Bills as a free agent in 2001. In camp, his performance was often erratic, and it appeared in the 2001 preseason that Bills officials might seek a veteran punter, if one was released by another team.

Buffalo coaches retained Moorman, though, and he averaged 40.8 yards gross and 33.8 yards net in 2001. Last season, his numbers improved to 43.1 yards gross, with a net of 36.0 yards. The 36.0-yard net average was the third-best in the NFL and only three league punters had better gross averages.

Nearly as important, Moorman seemed to master the often-tricky winds at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, no small feat.

The former Pittsburg (Kans.) State standout can also handle the kickoff duties.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.