National Football League

49ers sign Brooks to six-year deal

Published Feb. 28, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Linebacker Ahmad Brooks has signed a six-year contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers taking him through the 2017 season.

Brooks emerged as a regular starter for the first time in his six-year NFL career last season with the NFC West champion 49ers, who lost in overtime of the NFC championship game to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

The 27-year-old Brooks had 50 tackles, seven sacks and a forced fumble while becoming a key member of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's top-ranked run defense. In San Francisco's 36-32 playoff win over the Saints, Brooks had one of three sacks on record-setting New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees - a fourth-quarter hit on which Brees lost 7 yards.

In 2009, Brooks had a franchise single-season record with five forced fumbles.