[Kansas City.com] The Chiefs agreed late yesterday to terms on a five-year contract with outside linebacker Tamba Hali. Hali was designated by the Chiefs as their franchis player earlier this year.

Hali’s deal could be worth as much as $60 million and guarantees him a minimum of $35 million.

Hali is arguably the Chiefs’ most valuable defensive player. He emerged last season as one of the league’s top pass rushers when he led the AFC with 14½ sacks.

Hali is the latest in a series of young veterans the Chiefs locked up for the long term. Last year, they signed running back Jamaal Charles and linebackers Derrick Johnson and Andy Studebaker to multi-year contract extensions.