The four-year, $9.27 million contract that linebacker Roman Phifer signed with the New England Patriots last week not only rewards the 11-year veteran for reviving his career in 2001 but likely ensures he will play more than one additional season with the defending Super Bowl champions.

According to NFL Players Association documents, Phifer received a signing bonus of $1 million as part of the new contract. But the contract also guarantees portions of his base salaries in the 2003 and 2004 campaigns, providing an additional $1 million the Patriots would have to pay if they released Phifer after the 2002 season.

"There's some security involved," said Phifer, who played for the Patriots last season on just a one-year contract. "But just as important, I wanted to come back (to New England) again. Last year was the most fun I've ever had playing football. The game hadn't been as much fun for me the past (several) years. And then I sign late with the Patriots, go to the playoffs for the first time in my career, and win a Super Bowl ring."

Several media outlets, including ESPN.com, reported earlier this spring that Phifer had reached an agreement with the Oakland Raiders. That deal, however, wasn't completed and, after sorting out some custody issues in his family, Phifer opted to return to the club that helped his resurrect his career in 2001.

In addition to the $1 million signing bonus, Phifer will earn a base salary of $750,000 for 2002 and a workout bonus of $400. His base salary for 2003 is $1 million, with $250,000 of that guaranteed, and he is also due a $500,000 roster bonus next spring. His salaries for 2004 and 2005 are $3 million each, and if he is still playing then, those numbers probably will be renegotiated.

Notable, though, is that Phifer is guaranteed $750,000 of his salary in 2004. In essence, including his 2002 base salary, Phifer is guaranteed $2.75 million in the deal, not bad for a veteran who only last spring wasn't sure if he would play again.

The guarantees clearly will work in Phifer's favor for the future, since the team is on the line for them even if he is no longer on the roster.

Signed by the Patriots almost as an afterthought, Phifer ended up starting all 16 games in the regular season because of injuries. He even started at defensive end for the first time in his career. Phifer, who previously played for the Rams (1991-98) and the Jets (1999-2000), posted 92 tackles, two sacks, an interception and five passes defensed.

He will go to camp in four weeks projected as a starter and seemingly secure because of the guarantees that agent Marvin Demoff negotiated into his deal.

"The people in New England have been good to me and, hopefully, I can give them three or four more good years," Phifer said.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.