DENVER -- The Denver Broncos addressed their needs at quarterback Wednesday with the signing of free agent Jake Plummer to a seven-year, $40 million contract.

	Gardener

	Plummer

The deal calls for $13 million in guaranteed bonuses, including $7 million to sign and a $6 million signing bonus.

"When it came down to it, the opportunity to work with (Broncos head coach) Mike Shanahan was the determinant factor, and also a franchise that has won Super Bowls and is on that same course to do it again, I believe,'' Plummer said when he arrived in Denver on Wednesday night.

"From what they've told me, what they believe I can add to this team, there's no reason we shouldn't be making a push very soon.''

The Broncos on Wednesday also agreed to terms on a six-year, $33 million contract with unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Daryl Gardener. The contract includes a $5 million signing bonus.

Plummer visited the Broncos on Monday before heading to Chicago to meet with the Bears on Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In his first full season as a starter in 1998, Plummer guided the Cardinals to their first playoff appearance in 16 years. He struggled with injuries over the next two seasons, but returned to throw a career-high 18 touchdown passes the past two seasons.

Plummer, Arizona's second-draft pick in 1997, has thrown for 17,622 yards with 90 touchdowns and 114 interceptions in his six NFL seasons.

He became Denver's top target after the team became frustrated with Brian Griese after five years in the starting position.

Griese threw 19 touchdowns with just four interceptions in 2000, the second-highest ratio in league history, but has struggled with inconsistency the past three seasons. He threw 15 touchdowns and 15 interceptions as Denver missed the playoffs for the third time in four years.

Griese was benched for Denver's finale against Arizona last season and was given permission to seek a trade with other teams on Feb. 26.

Information from ESPN.com's John Clayton and The Associated Press was used in this report.