National Football League

AP source: Succop signs 5-yr, $14M deal with KC

Published Dec. 31, 2011 2:04 a.m. ET

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Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop can retire that ''Mr. Irrelevant'' nickname.

The 256th and final pick of the 2009 draft has signed a $14 million, five-year contract extension with Kansas City, a person with knowledge of the deal said late Friday.

ESPN.com, citing anonymous sources, first reported the extension.

The contract includes a $2 million signing bonus, according to a person who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because an official announcement had not been made.

Succop joins a pair of other kickers who signed lucrative five-year extensions. Billy Cundiff signed for $15 million to remain with the Baltimore Ravens in January, while Mason Crosby signed with the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers for $14.75 million in July.

The soft-spoken Succop matched Pete Stoyanovich's franchise record when he hit 22 consecutive field goals earlier this season. The streak put him atop a list of Chiefs kickers that includes Hall of Famer Jan Stenerud, Nick Lowery and Morten Andersen, the NFL's all-time leading scorer.

''I don't necessarily think about all the records,'' Succop told the AP at the time. ''Hopefully I'll be able to go out and make the next one, and if we do that, we'll kick the one after that.''

The former South Carolina standout made all four of his field goal attempts in the Chiefs' 19-14 victory over the then-unbeaten Green Bay Packers earlier this season, and he was voted AFC special teams player of the week.

He also hit all five tries in a 22-7 win over Minnesota in Week 4, which matched Stenerud and Lowery for the single-game franchise record. One of them was a career-best 54-yarder.

Succop's 30-yard kick in overtime on Halloween night beat the San Diego Chargers.

His streak of consecutive made field goals ended last week against Oakland, when he had a pair blocked in a loss that eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention. But he's still connected on 24 of 29 tries this season, and is perfect on 90 career extra points.

General manager Scott Pioli has not been shy about signing homegrown players.

Pro Bowl linebacker Tamba Hali signed a $60 million, five-year extension during training camp, while cornerback Brandon Flowers signed a $50 million deal, five-year deal.

Last season, All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles signed for five years at $32.5 million, and Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Johnson for five years at $34 million.

Now, Pioli likely will turn his attention to cornerback Brandon Carr and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, who can become free agents after the season. Carr has been solid opposite Flowers in a talented defensive backfield, while Bowe has put together another strong season with 75 catches for 1,066 yards despite having to play with three different starting quarterbacks.

The Chiefs may also try to re-sign Kyle Orton, who will start his third straight game Sunday at Denver. The veteran quarterback, who will also be a free agent, was claimed off waivers when Matt Cassel went down with a season-ending injury to his throwing hand.

Succop won't have to worry about winning his job any time soon.

He's been dependable since the moment he was drafted, hitting 25 of 29 field goals his rookie season, breaking Stenerud's franchise mark for a first-year player. His conversion rate of 86.21 percent tied the rookie record for kickers with at least 20 attempts since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

Succop was nearly as good last season, hitting 20 of 26 attempts, including an overtime winner against Buffalo - a kick made even more important when the Chiefs managed to slip into the playoffs.

''Being a kicker in the NFL, the coaches talk all about it, one kick here or there can make a difference. A lot of games are decided by seven points or less,'' Succop said a few weeks ago. ''Whether I make or miss could be the deciding factor in the game.''

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