Steelers extend Roethlisberger's deal 8 years

Talk about a comeback.

Ben Roethlisberger signed an eight-year extension Monday with the Pittsburgh Steelers that is worth $102 million and makes him one of the league's top-paid players.

"He's a Steeler and he'll always be a Steeler," team chairman Dan Rooney said.

The agreement comes after Roethlisberger re-established himself as one of the NFL's best quarterbacks last season, and nearly two years after his life and career were threatened by a motorcycle crash. The accident happened a few months after he led the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory.

Roethlisberger's contract guarantees him $36 million and is easily the largest in the Steelers' 76-season history. The quarterback, who turned 26 Sunday, gets $25 million immediately as a signing bonus.

"I told them I didn't want to go anywhere the day I walked in (as a rookie in 2004)," Roethlisberger said Monday. "I love Pittsburgh, I love the fans. Got probably the best organization and fans in all of sport. I don't want to go anywhere."

Nor did the Steelers want to lose the club's most successful quarterback since four-time Super Bowl winner Terry Bradshaw.

OTHER MOVES

The signing came on the same day the New York Jets unveiled an ex-Steeler, 31-year-old guard Alan Faneca, who got $21 million guaranteed on a five year, $40 million contract.

The Jets also signed linebacker Calvin Pace away from Arizona and offensive lineman Damien Woody away from Detroit.

In addition to re-signing Roethlisberger, the Steelers signed running back Mewelde Moore from Minnesota. He's expected to be their third-down back.

Atlanta released running back Warrick Dunn, who had asked to be let go after the Falcons signed Michael Turner on Sunday.

Tennessee, meanwhile, added one of Dunn's former Falcons teammates, tight end Alge Crumpler. Crumpler and other Atlanta veterans were released before the start of the free agency period.

The Super Bowl champion Giants signed veteran safety Sammy Knight, who played for Jacksonville last season.

Defensive end Antwan Odom signed a five-year deal worth $29.5 million with the Bengals.

New Orleans re-signed veteran wide receiver David Patten, who was second on the team in yards receiving last season and third in receptions.

Chicago traded veteran quarterback Brian Griese back to Tampa Bay for an undisclosed draft picks. The Bucs had released Griese after the 2005 season.

Kansas City signed former Atlanta linebacker Demorrio Williams.

Houston signed linebacker Kevin Bentley, who played last year with Seattle.

Jacksonville released veteran guard Chris Naeole, who started 87 games for the Jaguars over the last six seasons.

The 33-year-old lineman missed the final eight games last year after tearing a quadriceps tendon. He also skipped a voluntary passing camp last May because he was unhappy with his contract.

Carolina came to terms with guard Keydrick Vincent on a two-year, $2 million deal.

Safety Yeremiah Bell re-signed with Miami.

after missing the final 15 games last year because of a ruptured Achilles' tendon.Bell signed a one-year deal.

--Detroit signed tightend Michael Gaines, who is coming off the best season of his four-year NFL career. The 6-foot-3, 277-pound Gaines made 25 catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns in his only season with Buffalo.

AP-WS-03-03-08 2014EST

------ AP Sports Writer Alan Robinson contributed to this report.

AP-WS-03-03-08 1739EST