The Carolina Panthers announced a two-year contract extension for Derek Anderson on Wednesday, securing the services of the veteran quarterback through the 2017 season. The deal is worth $5 million, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
Panthers sign Derek Anderson to 2-year contract extension
The veteran quarterback won both games he started last year in place of an injured Cam Newton.
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Anderson, who spent his first five seasons with the Browns and Cardinals, has been the backup to Cam Newton in Carolina for the past four seasons. He saw his most extensive playing time as a Panther last year, starting in two games for an injured Newton. He beat the Buccaneers in both games -- Week 1 and Week 14 -- and overall last season in six games he completed 67 percent of his passes for 701 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions.
Anderson is currently playing on a two-year, $2.6 million contract that he signed in March 2014. He is set to receive a base salary of $1.175 million this year and can earn up to $64,000 in gameday active roster bonuses plus a $25,000 workout bonus, per overthecap.com.
The 2005 sixth-round pick out of Oregon State is considered one of the most dependable backups in the league. This is a smart decision by the Panthers to lock up Anderson now, giving them a reliable safety net in case Newton goes down again in the next two seasons.
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