Farrior gets long extension

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed linebacker James Farrior to a five-year, $18.2-million contract extension Thursday that includes a $5-million signing bonus.

Farrior was signed through this season, but the 12-year veteran had hoped to sign an extension that would keep him in Pittsburgh until he retired.

“That’s the game plan, to finish out my career here,” Farrior said. “The Steelers have been good to me, and I have put all my heart and soul into this, so I’ll just try to close it out.”

The bulk of the contract is for the first three seasons, valued at $12.6 million, including $10 million in the first two years.

“James has played at an extremely high level the entire time I have been here,” second-year Coach Mike Tomlin said.

“Not only is he an outstanding player, he’s also an outstanding professional and, of course, he’s an outstanding leader for us.”

Farrior has played in all but four of the Steelers’ last 96 regular-season games, starting in all the others. He has 705 tackles in his six years with the team.

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After appealing a one-game suspension for his involvement in an off-the-field altercation last year, linebacker Nick Barnett will be fined a week’s pay but is allowed to play in the Green Bay Packers’ Sept. 8 season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Barnett, who will lose $155,882 of his $2.65-million salary this season, was arrested last June outside an Appleton, Wis., bar after a woman accused him of pushing her during an argument.

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As expected, running back Steven Jackson signed a six-year, $44-million contract, one day after agreeing to end a 27-day holdout, and was on the field for practice with the St. Louis Rams after completing a physical.

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Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee, limited to running in a swimming pool as he recuperates from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, expects to be ready to play in the Sept. 7 season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

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The New England Patriots signed 10-year veteran Mike Flynn in a move to shore up an injury-depleted offensive line. The 34-year-old played his entire NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens before he was released in February.

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J.T. O’Sullivan made a strong case to be San Francisco’s starting quarterback, completing seven of eight for 126 yards and a touchdown with a perfect 158.3 passer rating as the 49ers beat the Chicago Bears, 37-30, in an exhibition game at Chicago.