Newz Forum: FOOTBALL: Maddox signs contract extension, page 1

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox agreed to terms of a one-year contract extension, signing with the team through 2007.

Maddox and Steelers president Art Rooney II didn't discuss terms of the deal, but both agreed the contract will enable Maddox to remain with the team after first-round draft pick Ben Roethlisberger succeeds him.

"It's structured fairly for both sides," Maddox said. "If I continue to play ... I can continue to make pretty good money."

If Maddox does not play, his pay will adjust accordingly, allowing him to stay with the team for several years as a backup.

"It's obviously a very unique situation," Maddox said. "And with them drafting Ben this year, it became even more unique."

Maddox had been playing under a five-year contract signed when both he and the Steelers anticipated he would be a backup. Maddox was scheduled to make $750,000 in base salary this season and next, plus another $1 million in 2006 under his old contract.

But Maddox has been the starter since he unexpectedly beat out Kordell Stewart three games into the 2002 season, leading the Steelers to a 10-5-1 record and the second round of the playoffs. The Steelers finished 6-10 last season. Without the support of an effective running game or a healthy offensive line, Maddox's 3,414 yards passing were the second-most in team history. After Roethlisberger signs, Maddox would almost certainly have entered this season as the team's lowest-paid quarterback. Rooney said that situation resulted in a "rare exception" to a team policy of not renegotiating with players who have multiple years left on their contracts.

"We just felt it was the right thing to do in an unusual set of circumstances," Rooney said.

Maddox's agent, Vann McElroy, didn't immediately return calls Monday.