Clay Matthews signs extension, becomes highest-paid linebacker

 The Green Bay Packers have agreed to terms on a long-termCheap Wholesale Hats contract extension with outside linebacker Clay Matthews, the NFL Network reports.

The Milwaukee Joual Sentinel reported the deal is for five years, $66 million—an average of $13.2 million—making him the highest-paid linebacker since DeMarcus Ware is now a defensive end. The deal goes through the 2018 season.

 Matthews shared a photo of the deal being signed deal on Twitter (@ClayMatthews52). "Trivial amongst the recent tragic news, but happy to continue my career in Green Bay!" Matthews tweeted.

"It feels good," Matthews said Wednesday during a news conference. "It's fuy, because not a whole lot has changed. I'm happy about it but for me, it's nice, it's very humbling and it's a blessing, Cal Bears Snapbacks    but it's business as usual for me. I'm glad that they have put their trust in me and belief in me in awarding me this, but at the same time you're going to get the same type of unwavering perseverance on the field and dedication that I'm going to bring day in and day out. I feel good but not much has changed."

Matthews, who tus just 27 in May, was worthy of being locked up for a lucrative reward. In just four seasons after being drafted 26th overall by the Packers in 2009, he has wreaked havoc as an edge playmaker in their 3-4 scheme, with 43 sacks, 203 total tackles and four interceptions in 58 career games.

The 2013 season was scheduled to be the last under Matthews' original five-year, $9.9 million deal. Under the old deal, he is scheduled to be paid $3.7 million in '13.

The Packers next need to work on completing New Era Vice Snapbacks   a much more expensive long-term deal with their most indispensable player on offense: Aaron Rodgers.