Proving their faith in Jake Delhomme is unwavering, the Carolina Panthers have given their quarterback a five-year extension.

The new deal is worth $42.5 million and includes $20 million in guaranteed money, a source said.

The extension will keep Delhomme with the Panthers through the 2014 season and free up valuable cap space. Delhomme was scheduled to make $6.325 million next season, the final year of his contract. His cap number, however, was $11.091 million and the Panthers were close to maxing out their salary cap, burdened by Julius Peppers' one-year tender worth $16.7 million. The agreement ends any thoughts about the future of the quarterback position in Carolina. Delhomme has taken the Panthers to one Super Bowl and is coming off a 12-win season. Although 34, the Panthers believe Delhomme is good enough to get them back to the Super Bowl, even though his last game was the worst of his career -- five interceptions and a lost fumble in a 33-13 loss to Arizona in the NFC divisional playoffs.

Delhomme established himself in 2003 when he signed with the Panthers as a free agent and became their No. 1 quarterback. He's started 76 games in his six seasons in Carolina.

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