The Green Bay Packers have made sure Morgan Burnett will remain an anchor in their secondary beyond 2013.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Burnett has signed a four-year, $24.75 million extension with the Packers, worth up to $26 million with incentives. The deal included an $8.25 million signing bonus. Burnett will receive $15 million over the first two years.
Burnett had been due to make $1.323 million in the final year of his rookie deal. The fourth-year defender has started 32 straight games and led the Packers with 123 tackles last season.
The deal came days after a report surfaced that Burnett and the Packers were attempting to work out a long-term pact. The Packers selected Burnett in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. His rookie season was torpedoed when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in October, but he's started every game since 2011.
The Packers continue to act aggressively to lock up their young core players on defense. The team re-signed linebackers Brad Jones and Clay Matthews this spring. Like those two teammates, the 24-year-old Burnett still should have his best football ahead of him.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
