Marcus Cannon, Patriots Agree to New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

The New England Patriots locked up an offensive line stalwart Tuesday, signing tackle Marcus Cannon to a five-year contract extension. ESPN's Mike Reiss and Field Yates first reported the move.

Cannon's contract is a five-year, $32.5 million deal with $14.5 million guaranteed, per Albert Breer of The MMQB. On Wednesday, Jim McBride of the Boston Globe reported that Cannon also received a $7 million signing bonus.

The extension prevents Cannon from hitting the open market, as he was set to become a free agent during the offseason.

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity they've given me," Cannon said Wednesday, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.

"Works hard," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick told reporters Wednesday when asked about Cannon. "Quiet kid but very dependable."

Belichick added that "it's definitely helped" that Cannon dropped weight this season.

Reiss touched on New England's reasoning for signing Cannon to a long-term contract:

Zack Cox of NESN also provided context for the move:

The Pats selected Cannon in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft out of TCU. He may have been picked higher if not for a non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis prior to the draft.

Cannon beat cancer and has been a utility lineman for much of his career, spending time at tackle, guard and center.

He started 19 games over his first five seasons before being inserted into the lineup as a full-time starter this year at right tackle.

Cannon has been a reliable part of a line that had many question marks surrounding it after the Denver Broncos pass rush victimized it during last season's AFC Championship Game.

New England's offense has fired on all cylinders since the return of quarterback Tom Brady from suspension, and protecting him will be paramount to the team's success this year and moving forward.

Cannon has excelled in that regard and will continue to combine with left tackle Nate Solder to provide the Patriots with strong bookends.

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