[bigboydan]

It isn't difficult to understand why Robert Mathis agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts: They made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

The extension ties the veteran defensive end to the team through the 2011 season and essentially is a six-year contract. It's worth $30 million, with $12 million guaranteed -- an $8.1 million signing bonus and a $3.9 million roster bonus due next March.
Hadley Engelhard, Mathis' agent, would not comment on the financial parameters of the contract, but a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed the hefty package issued by the Colts.
The deal includes non-guaranteed roster bonuses of $2 million in 2008 and '09 and $1 million in '10 and '11. Mathis is scheduled to earn $18.5 million in the first three years of the deal.
Prior to agreeing to the multiyear deal, which should be signed early next week, Mathis was scheduled to earn $2.1 million in '06 under a contract he signed as a restricted free agent.
Mathis is the fourth player to be locked up with a long-term contract this offseason.
Previously, wide receiver Reggie Wayne signed a six-year, $39 million contract that included a $12.5 million signing bonus, defensive lineman Raheem Brock signed a five-year, $23.6 million contract that included an $8 million signing bonus and linebacker Gary Brackett signed a four-year, $10.1 million deal that included a $2.7 million signing bonus.

[Illusion]

An $8.1 million signing bonus is pretty nice for any defensive end.