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The Carolina Panthers have locked up their starting quarterback, Jake Delhomme.  The Panthers signed the veteran signal caller to a five-year, $42.5 million extension which will provide valuable cap space.  Delhomme is now under contract until the 2014 season, when he will be 39.

The new deal come with $20 million guaranteed money and and comes after a horrible show in the NFC divisional playoffs against the surging Arizona Cardinals.  Delhomme threw five interceptions and lost a fumble in that game, but didn’t shake the confidence of head coach John Fox.  Fox and GM Marty Hurney strongly support Delhomme as the starter, a gig he has held since the 2003 season.

“Jake Delhomme is incredibly excited to be able to finish his career in Carolina,” his agent, Rick Smith, said. “He felt there was unfinished business at the end of last year.”

Delhomme through for 3,288 yards and 15 touchdowns with 12 interceptions last season.