[Chiefs Blog] Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson has reached an agreement with the team on a five-year contract extension, according to his agents, Jeff Nalley and Vann McElroy.

The deal is worth just over $34 million with $15 million guaranteed.

Johnson, the Chiefs’ first-round pick from Texas in 2005, would have been an unrestricted free agent after the 2009 season had the NFL’s salary-cap system been in place. Instead, he signed a one-year, restricted free-agent tender worth $2.475 last March and would have been an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Johnson, 27, is enjoying his best season with the Chiefs. He leads the Chiefs with 78 tackles in eight games has returned an interception for a touchdown and has a forced fumble. He lost his starting job in the base defense last season and played mostly in nickel situations before winning the starting position in camp this year.