He may be only the second best-known guard on the Kansas City roster right now, but Chiefs officials realize youngster Brian Waters may soon join running mate Will Shields as a Pro Bowl performer, and have rewarded him accordingly.

The Chiefs have signed Waters, a third-year veteran, to a four-year contract extension that dramatically upgrades his compensation level and binds him to the team through the 2006 season. Based on his standout performance so far in 2002, when some scouts feel Waters has reached the level of perennial Pro Bowl star Shields, the extension certainly seems a prudent move by Chiefs officials.

Waters, 25, received a $1 million signing bonus. His base salary of $375,000 for 2002 remains the same. But he will receive a $1.25 million option bonus next March and his subsequent base salaries are $450,000 (2003), $1 million (2004), $1.625 million (2005) and $2.15 million (2006).

There are roster bonuses of $100,000 each for 2003-2004, of $200,000 for 2005 and $300,000 for 2006. The extension also includes annual workout bonuses of $100,000 for 2003-2006.

In terms of so-called "new money," the four-year extension is worth about $8.57 million.

A former North Texas star, Waters started eight games in 2001 -- one at center and seven at left guard -- and then moved full-time to the left guard spot in training camp. The 6-feet-3, 318-pound Waters is a terrific blocker in the running game and his pass protection is improving as well. Some team officials began touting Waters as a future standout late last season.

Waters originally entered the league with the Dallas Cowboys in 1999, signed as an undrafted free agent. He was released in the final wholesale roster cutdown, sat out the entire '99 campaign, then signed with the Chiefs as a free agent in 2000.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.