NFL: The 5 Wisest Contract Extensions in Recent Memory

As the 2011 NFL season rapidly approaches, we look forward to the cast of superstars once again taking center stage each Sunday.

Guys like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson and Ray Lewis will draw us in as they provide that "wow" factor that doesn't show up in the box score.

However, keeping these guys on your team comes at a pretty penny.

In this day and age, top players want top dollar and front offices have to find enough money within the salary cap to keep their "seat-fillers" around.

Sometimes they can get their franchise guy at a discounted price, while other times they simply have to shell out the big bucks.

Let's take a look at the five wisest NFL contract extensions in recent memory...  

Tom Brady: 4-Year, $72 Million Extension

The Patriots made Tom Brady the NFL's highest paid player last year, when they signed him to a four-year, $72 million extension that guaranteed him $48.5 million. 

After leading his club to three Super Bowl titles in the first decade of the 2000s, Brady has done everything besides win a fourth ring while in New England. 

He is the orchestrator on offense and has never failed to amass huge numbers regardless of who his group of receivers and running backs have been.

To me, there isn't a player more deserving and the Patriots made a wise decision when they offered Brady this extension.

It seems as though he's improving with time and is arguably still in the prime of his career.  

Philip Rivers: 6-Year, $92 Million Extension

OK, so you're comparing Rivers' monster extension with Brady's and you're probably thinking the Patriots made the smarter decision in terms of money.

I get that.

However, Rivers is just as, if not more important to his club than Brady.

(The Chargers' signal caller was guaranteed $39 million in the eye-popping deal.)

The extension was signed in 2009 and all Rivers has done in the last two seasons is set a handful of personal bests in very critical stat categories: completions, passing yards and touchdowns.

He has also been the definition of durable, having not missed a game since 2005.

If you're going to fork out that kind of money, it better be on a perennial MVP candidate like Mr. Philip Rivers. 

Patrick Willis: 5-Year, $50 Million Extension

In May of 2010, the 49ers locked up linebacker Patrick Willis to a five-year, $50 million extension that guaranteed him $29 million.

If you're of the belief that $10 million per season is too pricey for a linebacker, think again. 

Willis quite possibly is the second coming of Ray Lewis and keeps San Francisco's defense together. 

He is essentially a lock to make another All-Pro team in 2011 and really, impact guys like Willis don't come around every year in the draft.

No. 52 has exceeded all expectations, has been a model citizen and works harder than anybody.

Why wouldn't the 49ers front office extend him? 

Kyle Williams: 6-Year, $39 Million Extension

The Buffalo Bills aren't known to shell out big contracts, but the decision to extend defensive lineman Kyle Williams was one of their wisest in quite some time. 

Williams doesn't gather the same recognition that other star interior defensive trenchmen like Vince Wilfork, Haloti Ngata and Casey Hampton do, but in NFL circles, No. 95 is a very respected player. 

Ngata is still looking for a long-term extension, but will make $12.5 million this season. The five-year, $40 million deal Wilfork signed in 2010 is similar to what Buffalo agreed to pay Williams, but the Patriots gave their nose tackle almost $8 million more in guaranteed money.

Williams may not be as impactful as Wilfork, but he can be a dominating force with his high motor and surprising strength.

His play and durability during his time in Buffalo warranted the big payday.   

Larry Fitzgerald: 8-Year, $128.5 Million Extension

Yes, those numbers are startling, especially for a wide receiver.

But Larry Fitzgerald is that good, and without him, the Arizona Cardinals offense ceases to exist.

Well, not exactly, but you get the picture.

They acquired Kevin Kolb to be their franchise quarterback and Fitzgerald makes life for the new quarterback so much easier.

No. 11 is arguably the best receiver in football, is a stand-up guy in the community, a ridiculously hard-worker and is a natural leader on the field, making all of his teammates better.

He was guaranteed $50 million in his extension and to me, deserves every penny.  

With their current situation in the wide open NFC West, the Cardinals made the right choice keeping Fitzgerald in the desert.