Jaguars QB Garrard signs extension

Apr 7, 2008 - 10:15 PM JACKSONVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard has agreed to terms on a seven-year contract extension, the team announced Monday.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver said that Garrard signed the biggest contract in franchise history.

"David has earned this," Weaver said at a news conference to formally announce the deal.

Garrard and his agent, Albert Irby, reportedly were seeking a deal worth between $60-$70 million. Irby's office did not return a call from PA SportsTicker.

"I definitely think we can compete with anybody," said Garrard, whose new deal keeps him under contract with the Jaguars through 2014. "This is a great time for us. I really do believe we can do some great things here."

Garrard became the latest quarterback to ink a lucrative contract. Ben Roethlisberger cashed in on March 3, signing a $102 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tony Romo, Marc Bulger and Derek Anderson also have agreed to new deals in the past year, all receiving contracts with annual average salaries of at least $10 million.

"We all admire David because David always had that confidence that his day would come and it has," Weaver said. "It's (quarterback) the most important position on the team, and to have stability there puts us in position to win a championship."

Garrard, 30, enjoyed a breakthrough 2007 campaign in his first full season as a starter, recording a 102.2 passer rating and leading the Jaguars to an 11-5 record in the regular season.

"What you see is a young man who has persevered," Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio said.

The Jaguars defeated Pittsburgh in the AFC wild card round before losing to the conference champion New England Patriots the following weekend.

Garrard passed for 2,509 yards and 18 touchdowns against just three interceptions in 12 games last season.

Named as the Jaguars' full-time starter just days before the season opener, Garrard posted the third-best passer rating in the NFL, trailing only Tom Brady and Roethlisberger.

"This time last year, I was just trying to figure out what was in store for me," Garrard said. "The important thing for me was to stay positive and know my time would come again."

Garrard posted a 9-3 record as a starter, then led the Jaguars to their first playoff win since 1999. His nine victories were the most for a Jacksonville quarterback in a single season since Mark Brunell went 13-2 in 1999.