Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski signed a four-year contract Tuesday that will make him the league’s highest-paid kicker, his agent said.
The contract calls for Janikowski to earn as much as $16 million, including $9 million guaranteed. That matches the terms of the contract the Raiders gave Shane Lechler last year in making him the league’s highest-paid punter.
Paul Healy, Janikowski’s agent, said, “He is the best kicker in the NFL, and the Raiders have recognized that fact by rewarding him with this monstrous contract.”
Janikowski could not be reached for comment. The Raiders did not issue a release.
Janikowski, who turns 32 on March 2, is fresh from the best season of his 10-year NFL career and was in position to receive offers from multiple teams if he reached free agency. That would have happened if the Raiders did not sign him to a contract or place the transition or franchise tag on him by Feb. 25.
He converted 26 of 29 field-goal attempts in 2009, including a career-best 61 yarder against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 27. That represented the third-longest field goal in NFL history.
The Raiders made re-signing Janikowski one of their top priorities this offseason so that they could keep intact a kicking combination that is regarded as one of the league’s best.
Once the deal is approved by the league, the Raiders’ sights will be set on defensive lineman Richard Seymour. He is eligible to become an unrestricted
free agent unless the Raiders secure his rights before March 5.
The Raiders are exploring the option of signing Seymour to a long-term contract. They also have the option of keeping him in a Raiders uniform in 2010 by placing the franchise tag on him before the Feb. 25 deadline.
1. Who is the kicker on the Oakland Raiders?
2. How much was his contract?
3. How much money was guaranteed?
4. How old is he going to be on March, 2nd?
5. What would happen if the Raiders didn’t resign him?
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