After three months of negotiations, and despite denials from Oakland Raiders officials that a reworked deal for Rich Gannon could be imminent, the two sides have a framework in place that will result in a new six-year contract for the quarterback.

	Gannon

The precise timing of when the contract will be signed and executed remains uncertain, but the deal should be consummated this week, league sources said. Virtually all of the major components of the contract have been settled.

Although the term of the contract is for six years, both sides view it as essentially a three-year agreement through the 2004 season, after which Gannon will be 39 years old and likely considering retirement. The contract will more accurately reflect Gannon's status as one of the NFL's premier players at his position.

The 14-year veteran will receive a signing bonus and increase in overall compensation for the 2002 season, but the contract will actually reduce his scheduled 2002 salary cap value of $4.464 million. That is significant for the cap-strapped Raiders, who are only about $1.6 million under the spending limit, and who must still sign a pair of first-round picks from the 2002 draft.

Over the first three years of the contract, Gannon should realize more than $16 million in "new money." While the Raiders will get some cap relief in 2002, future salaries figure to further strain the club's cap status in coming years, but senior administrator Bruce Allen has always demonstrated great craft in making the numbers fit.

Gannon, 36, was scheduled to earn a salary of $2 million in 2002, and then of $5 million each for the 2003-2005 seasons, but the current contract could be voided after this year.

The 14-year veteran boycotted most of the Raiders' offseason workouts, alleging that the team had not followed up on promises to upgrade his contract for 2002, but then attended a mandatory minicamp in mid-June. Gannon declined to discuss his contract situation at the minicamp.

Termed "the consummate professional" by rookie head coach Bill Callahan, the gritty Gannon is regarded as one of Oakland's key team leaders. Since joining the Raiders as a free agent in 1999, he has started every game for the team, and been selected for the Pro Bowl all three seasons he has played in Oakland.

Last year, Gannon completed 361 of 549 passes for 3,828 yards, with 27 touchdown passes and only nine interceptions. His passer efficiency rating of 95.5 was the second highest in the league and he led the Raiders to a second straight division title, the first time that was accomplished in the AFC West since 1987.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.