Mangold centre of attention after lucrative Jets deal

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Center Nick Mangold signed a seven-year contract with the New York Jets on Tuesday that will make him the NFL's highest paid player at the position.

The two-time Pro Bowler could earn $55 million over the length of the deal which includes a guaranteed $22.5 million, local media reported.

The contract surpasses the five-year $37.5 million deal signed by the St. Louis Rams' Jason Brown last year.

"Fantastic," Mangold said on the team's website (www.newyorkjets.com). "I could not be more excited to have that done, to be here as long as I can imagine.

"To be able to say, 'the highest-paid center' is very nice," added Mangold, who was selected in the first round of the 2006 draft by the Jets with the 29th overall pick.

(Editing by Ian Ransom)