Holmes signs contract extension with Chiefs
By DOUG TUCKER
AP Sports Writer
September 4, 2003
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Even though Priest Holmes was late to practice, he didn't get fined.
``No, but he could afford it,'' deadpanned Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil.
While his teammates went through their paces on the practice field Wednesday, Holmes was working out a lucrative new contract with the Chiefs.
Holmes and general manager Carl Peterson announced a four-year contract extension that will probably keep Holmes in Kansas City the rest of his career and will definitely have him on the field for Sunday's season opener.
``This is definitely an exciting time not only for me and my family, but also for the Kansas City Chiefs,'' said Holmes, 29, who has led the NFL in yards from scrimmage the past two seasons.
``When it comes to people like the Kansas City Chiefs, whatever they create, they definitely support. That's what we have right here with an extension on my contract.''
Holmes, who is coming off surgery for a hip injury that ended his season with two games left last year, had indicated he might not play against San Diego this weekend without a new deal.
``I really believe at this time, my life is just starting. It really is,'' he said.
He and Peterson refused to reveal terms, but Holmes had publicly talked about wanting a $15 million extension. And he said nothing to indicate he was disappointed over not coming close to that figure.
``Let's just say that I am a happy man,'' he said. ``You can see my smile. My kids will definitely be happy.''
As word of the agreement spread through the team, players came up and hugged the Pro Bowl running back, who is very popular as a hardworking and unselfish player as well as the key to the team's hopes for success.
``Our players really love this guy. I think they're excited for him,'' Vermeil said.
Holmes may be the greatest free agent signing ever in the NFL. In two years since leaving Baltimore to join the Chiefs, he has totaled 4,440 yards from scrimmage, the best in the league. He had 1,615 yards rushing last year despite missing the last two games.
His remaining contract, which guaranteed him about $2.5 million base salary for each of the next three years -- was unquestionably below market value for a player who was selected the NFL's offensive player of the year last season.
The Chiefs were always willing to increase his compensation, but they wanted to make sure the hip was fully healed. Although in need of help on defense, they used their first-round draft pick in April on running back Larry Johnson from Penn State.
Proving himself healthy, in fact, was Holmes' unspoken mission throughout the preseason.
``We've watched him. Our doctors have watched him,'' Peterson said.
``He's done every single thing we've asked him to do. He got knocked down. He knocked people down. He caught the ball. He ran with it. We're satisfied very much that that's no longer a problem,'' Peterson said. ``We're excited about the way he's looked in practice the last couple of weeks.''
Peterson said negotiations went smoothly and did not take long.
``It seemed there were some people out there who had a different motive. They wanted an acrimonious, protracted, long holdout,'' he said. ``That was never, ever considered. Never. He's a very important part of this football team.''
