NFL Wire Notes | Ben Roethlisberger gets $102 million deal

PITTSBURGH — Talk about a comeback.

Ben Roethlisberger signed an eight-year extension Monday with the Pittsburgh Steelers that is worth $102 million and makes him one of the league's top-paid players.

"He's a Steeler and he'll always be a Steeler," team chairman Dan Rooney said.

The agreement comes after Roethlisberger re-established himself as one of the league's best quarterbacks last season, and nearly two years after his life and career were threatened by a motorcycle crash. The accident happened several months after he helped the Steelers beat the Seahawks 21-10 in the 2006 Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, receiver Randy Moss is coming back to the New England Patriots.

Moss, 31, who made a record 23 touchdown receptions during the Patriots' unbeaten regular season, re-signed for three years. Moss' agent, Tim DiPiero, said the deal was worth $27 million, with $15 million guaranteed.

"He is one of our most consistent, competitive and team-oriented players and it is undoubtedly a relationship we are excited to continue," New England coach Bill Belichick said of Moss in a statement.

Roethlisberger's contract guarantees him $36 million and is the largest in the Steelers' 76-season history. The 26-year-old gets $25 million immediately as a signing bonus.

"I told them I didn't want to go anywhere the day I walked in [as a rookie in 2004]," Roethlisberger said. "I love Pittsburgh. I love the fans."

Last season, Roethlisberger threw 32 touchdown passes and was intercepted 11 times in leading the Steelers to the playoffs. It was a major turnaround from his 23-interception season of 2006, when he threw 18 TD passes.

Pittsburgh also signed Mewelde Moore, a running back-kick returner previously with the Minnesota Vikings.

Notes

• The New York Jets unveiled an ex-Steeler, 31-year-old guard Alan Faneca, who got $21 million guaranteed on a five year, $40 million contract. The Jets also signed linebacker Calvin Pace, 27, previously with Arizona, and offensive lineman Damien Woody, 30, previously with Detroit.

• Atlanta released running back Warrick Dunn, 33, who had asked to be let go after the Falcons signed ex-San Diego Charger Michael Turner on Sunday.

• The Tennessee Titans, as expected, added one of Dunn's former Falcons teammates, tight end Alge Crumpler, 30.

• The New York Giants signed ex-Jacksonville Jaguars safety Sammy Knight, 32. He will replace Gibril Wilson, 26, who signed with Oakland.

• Defensive end Antwan Odom, 26, signed a five-year deal worth $29.5 million with Cincinnati. He was coming off a career-best season with eight sacks for Tennessee.

• New Orleans re-signed receiver David Patten, 33.

• The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Brian Griese, 32, back to Tampa Bay for an undisclosed draft pick. The Bucs had released Griese after the 2005 season.

• San Francisco signed running back DeShaun Foster, 28, cut by Carolina, to back up Frank Gore. The 49ers also signed QB J.T. O'Sullivan, 28, previously with Detroit, and linebacker Dontarrious Thomas, 27, previously with Minnesota.

• Detroit signed tight end Michael Gaines, 27, previously with Buffalo.

• St. Louis signed guard Jacob Bell, 27, previously with Tennessee.

• Jacksonville released guard Chris Naeole, 33.

• Denver defensive tackle Marcus Thomas, 22, was arrested in Orange Park, Fla., after police said they found cocaine and a handgun during a traffic stop. Thomas was charged with possession of a controlled substance and released from jail Sunday after posting a $2,500 bond.