Updated

The San Francisco 49ers are keeping one of their defensive cornerstones in the Bay Area. The 49ers agreed to a four-year extension with three-time Pro Bowl linebacker NaVorro Bowman, the team confirmed Wednesday.

According to Pro Football Talk, the extension is worth $44 million, but the 49ers are also increasing yearly salary of the final three years of Bowman's current contract. In all, the deal, which will keep Bowman in San Francisco through 2022, will be worth $77 million over seven years.

Bowman was all smiles Wednesday night.

"Over the last six years, NaVorro has become a cornerstone of our organization and securing his future in the Bay Area was a priority for us," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said, via the team's website. "The perseverance he displayed while overcoming adversity and returning to his All-Pro form provides a great example of what can be accomplished through hard work and self-belief. This contract extension reaffirms our core philosophy of rewarding our own players and we are thrilled to know NaVorro will play his entire career with the 49ers."

Bowman, who was taken in the third round by the 49ers in the 2010 draft, had a league-leading 154 total tackles last season and added 2.5 sacks.

Bowman missed the 2014 season after suffering a serious knee injury during the NFC Championship Game against the Seahawks in February 2014. Despite the injury, he didn't miss a beat last season, being selected to his third Pro Bowl.