MCKINNIE SIGNS RECORD DEAL

Sep/09/06 09:39 AM Filed in: Bryant McKinnie
The Minnesota Vikings have signed offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie to a seven-year contract extension, according to a report on the Pioneer Press website.

The deal is reportedly worth $48.5 million, including a league-record $18.1 million in guaranteed money for an offensive lineman.

The Vikings had to be careful when constructing the contract as Steve Hutchinson has a clause in his deal that stipulates he must be the team's highest-paid lineman.

The All-Pro left guard signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with Minnesota in the off-season.

Along with Hutchinson, McKinnie should give the Vikings one of the league's most formidable offensive line tandems.

Selected seventh overall in 2002, McKinnie has started 55 of 56 career games, including all 48 over the last three years.

The 6ft 8in, 335lb McKinnie is slated to make $900,000 in base salary in 2006.

(sportinglife.com)
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