The St. Louis Rams made quarterback Marc Bulger the highest paid player in franchise history Friday after agreeing to a six-year contract worth $65 million US.

Bulger also receives $27 million in guarantee money, placing him among six NFL quarterbacks earning $10 million per season.

Marc Bulger's new contract places him in exclusive company among NFL quarterbacks.
(Elsa/Getty Images)

"He'll be in the very upper echelon of quarterbacks," said Tom Condon, Bulger's agent.

Bulger, who failed to attend a mandatory team meeting on Thursday, is coming off the best season of his five-year career. The Pittsburgh native played in all 16 games during the 2006-07 season, finishing with 4,301 passing yards and 24 touchdowns for the 8-8 Rams.

"The whole time we knew it was going to get done, it was just a matter of logistics," said Bulger. "The numbers are one thing. It's huge. The first contract was a life-changer and this is a life-changer."

Bulger is scheduled to earn $4 million this season that will complete a four-year, $19.1-million deal.

While Bulger threatened to hold out if a new contract was not in place before the start of training camp, second-year head coach Scott Linehan never questioned his pivot's commitment to the Rams.

"I didn't think anybody doubted for a minute that he'd be here," said Linehan. "I'm not saying it's fair to say it's not his style, but Marc wants to help this team win a championship, and he knows to do that he's got to be out here."

Linehan said he and Bulger had a "little conversation" before practice.

"I kind of gave him a look," the coach said. "I said, 'you owe me for all the heartache you gave me last night.'"

The Rams completed a busy signing day by coming to terms with first-round pick Adam Carriker on a five-year contract. The defensive end from Nebraska was selected by St. Louis with the 13th pick overall during April's draft.

With files from the Associated Press