Maurkice Pouncey signs $44m contract extension with Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers' Maurkice Pouncey has signed a contract extension with the team, making him the highest-paid center in terms of new money in the NFL.

Pouncey, who had one year left on his rookie contract, has sealed a deal worth $44m (£25.9m), inclusive of a $13m (£7.7m) signing bonus, keeping the center with the team until at least 2019.

The deal takes over from the five-year, $42m (£24.8m) deal signed by Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack in April.

Pouncey was the number 18 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.