ESPN: Packers sign Mike Daniels to 4-year, $42 million contract extension

GREEN BAY -- The Green Bay Packers have signed DT Mike Daniels to a contract extension. The signing was announced Monday, December 14th by Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations.

According to ESPN, the Packers signed Daniels to a four-year, $42 million contract extension. The deal contains a $12 million signing bonus and will pay daniels $22 million over the first 15 months. As a result of the deal, Daniels is now one of the highest paid 3-4 defensive ends in the NFL.

Daniels, who was drafted out of the University of Iowa in the fourth round (No. 132 overall) by the Packers with the first of two fourth-round selections in 2012, has started every game since the start of the 2014 season. His 16 sacks since the start of the 2013 season are the second most on the Packers behind LB Clay Matthews’ 24.

Through 12 games this season, Daniels leads the defensive line in tackles (56) and ranks No. 2 on the team in both quarterback hits (12) and pressures (19). He has also recorded four sacks and a forced fumble.

In 2014, Daniels started all 16 games for the first time in his career and set career highs in both tackles (69) and solo tackles (42). Last season, he led the team in quarterback hits (19) and pressures (22). Daniels’ 5.5 sacks in ’14 were the second most of his career behind the 6.5 he registered in 2013.