Chiefs’ Gonzalez gets five-year deal

Tony Gonzalez has agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs that keeps him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL.

The eight-time Pro Bowl player, two touchdown catches short of the league record for his position, will receive about $17 million in guaranteed money, a person close to the negotiations said. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose the information.

Chiefs General Manager Carl Peterson said the 30-year-old Gonzalez will remain the league’s top-paid tight end.

“And I think he deserves to be,” Peterson said. “I personally think he’s the best tight end in the NFL today, and has been for many years.”

A 10-year veteran, Gonzalez enjoyed one of his best seasons while helping Kansas City to a 9-7 regular-season record and its first playoff appearance since 2003. Although hampered by a shoulder injury, he caught 73 passes for a team-high 900 yards, with five touchdowns.

“This guy has become a complete player,” Peterson said. “People don’t appreciate his blocking ability, except for the running back and the guys who are running behind him. And he played hurt this year with a shoulder injury.”

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Darrell Jackson’s on-and-off status now seems closer to “off.”

The Seattle Seahawks’ leading receiver unexpectedly skipped practice again, just before the team boarded an afternoon flight to Chicago for Sunday’s NFC divisional playoff game against the Bears.

Coach Mike Holmgren said Jackson’s availability will be a game-time decision.

Holmgren had said at the beginning of the week that he expected Jackson, listed as questionable because of a turf toe injury on his left foot, would practice by Friday and that he was “likely” to play Sunday.

Now, Holmgren’s not so sure about him -- or D.J. Hackett. Seattle’s fourth receiver sprained his ankle during last week’s victory over Dallas and is listed as doubtful.

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Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan interviewed for the team’s head coaching vacancy.

Ryan followed former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel and USC assistant head coach Steve Sarkisian to interview to replace Art Shell, who was fired. Ryan is the only defensive coach to interview so far.

The son of former Philadelphia and Arizona coach Buddy Ryan, Ryan was the coordinator of the NFL’s third-ranked defense.

While the offense struggled all season -- it scored only 12 touchdowns -- the Raiders’ defense was one of the few bright spots during a 2-14 season.

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Detroit Lions receiver Roy Williams has been added to the 2007 NFC Pro Bowl squad, replacing Torry Holt of the St. Louis Rams.

Williams finished the season with an NFC-leading 1,310 yards receiving and 82 receptions, both career highs. His 16-yards-per-catch average was tops among receivers with 65 or more receptions.

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Cincinnati Bengals linebacker David Pollack said he was encouraged by his recent surgery for a cracked bone in his neck but hasn’t decided whether he will resume his NFL career.

Pollack, 24, suffered the injury while tackling Cleveland’s Reuben Droughns during the second game of the season, and was put in a protective halo brace that immobilized the neck. The bone didn’t heal as well as hoped, so he had surgery Jan. 3.

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Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens underwent surgery in Miami to repair a torn tendon in his right ring finger, two newspapers reported.

“The doctor is very optimistic,” Owens told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I am happy I had the surgery. I am happy with the news he gave me that I will return to 100%.”

The Dallas Morning News also reported that Owens had surgery.

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Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Kelly Butler signed a two-year contract extension. Butler, 6 feet 7 and 330 pounds, was claimed by the Browns on waivers from Detroit on Sept. 3. He started five games at right tackle.