San Francisco 49ers sign LB Ahmad Brooks to new contract - NFL News
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks could not have been happier with the turnaround in his fortunes.
On Tuesday, the 49ers reported signing the linebacker on a new six-year contract worth $ 44.5 million which will keep Brooks in the Bay Area till 2018.
Brooks, whose career in the National Football League (NFL) did not start on the right foot has had a huge change in his fortunes with a wonderful 2011-12 season with National Football Conference (NFC) Championship runners-up.
The 27-year-old was more than pleased with his new deal and told the media.
"Something was telling me just to sign here. I feel like this is where I should be. These are the people who gave me a chance to get this contract."
The linebacker could have become a free agent and signed for another franchise but chose to remain with the 49ers that have played a huge role in the change in his career.
His co-linebacker Patrick Willis was happy for his teammate.
"I think he felt a part of the team. He felt like it was home. I think it was kind of a feeling all year long that he wanted to stay there.”
Brooks started his career with the Cincinnati Bengals after being drafted by them from Virginia. However, his time with the Bengals was not so good and he remained marginalised in the Bengals roster.
He signed with the 49ers in 2009 and never looked back as his performances improved culminating in the brilliant 2011-12 season where he started all of the 49ers games for the first time in his career.
The defenseman ended up making 49 tackles and seven sacks this season.
"I pretty much told myself that I would never let that happen. Regardless of what goes on in my life, I will never let this happen again. I pretty much had to reevaluate myself as a player to become the best football player I could be, because it's not going
to last forever.”
The 49ers had a great campaign this year.
Under new coach Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco qualified directly for the playoff divisional round boasting the best defence in the league.
Their campaign ended in the NFC Championship game when they lost in a close game with eventual Super Bowl winners New York Giants.
Tags: