CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Steve Beuerlein, who once was
contemplating retirement when his current contract expires, said
Thursday he is close to signing a two-year extension with the
Carolina Panthers.
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| Beuerlein |
"In principle, I think there has been an agreement," he said.
"It's just a matter now of getting everything cleaned up."
The 35-year-old quarterback originally signed with the Panthers
in 1996 as a backup to Kerry Collins. He signed a three-year
extension in 1998 that takes him through 2001.
The additional two years on his contract will be worth $12.3
million and will give Carolina an option for an additional two
years, through 2005.
Beuerlein has said he and his wife, Kristen, were discussing
whether he would retire when his current expired. She leaned toward
retirement, he wanted to leave the door open.
"I've said I'd play out this contract and the third year is
negotiable," Beuerlein said. "The fourth year, I would probably
have to give her something in return if I get to that point."
The deal will also provide immediate help for Carolina's
strapped salary cap situation, because part of this year's base
salary will be restructured into bonus money.
"The bottom line is that I've got two years under my current
deal, so the fact that they're willing to talk about it, and
actually approached us about it -- anything I get out of this deal
is a bonus," he said. "They didn't have to do it. I appreciate
the fact that they're even considering it."
Beuerlein, in his 14th season, started all 16 games last year
for the first time in his career. He threw for 4,436 yards and 36
touchdowns while leading Carolina to the second-best passing
offense in the NFL and a spot in his first Pro Bowl.
But the toll of the season was five operations during the
offseason -- two for hernias, one on his shoulder, one on his knee
and one on his ankle.
But he said they took care of lingering problems and, when he
opens the season Sunday at Washington, he'll be feeling better than
he has in years.
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