The Sports Xchange

The Carolina Panthers signed quarterback Derek Anderson to a two-year contract extension Wednesday.

Anderson, 32, is now under contract with the Panthers through the 2017 season. Anderson is currently playing on a two-year, $2.6 million contract that he signed in March 2014. He is set to earn a base salary of $1.175 million this year.

“I’m excited about this for my family. To be here with the players, coaches and management we have — everything is top notch,” Anderson said in statement released by the Panthers. “It was a no-brainer for me.”

In his 11th NFL season, Anderson joined the Panthers as a free agent prior to the 2011 season and has served as the team’s primary backup quarterback to Cam Newton.

In 2014, Anderson started two games for an injured Newton, leading the Panthers to victories in those games, both against Tampa Bay. In the two starts, Anderson produced a 99.3 passer rating, completing 49 of 74 passes for 507 yards and three touchdowns. He finished the season with 701 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions on 65-of-97 passing for a 105.2 passer rating.

“Derek adds stability to the quarterback position as the backup, and we have tremendous confidence in him,” head coach Ron Rivera said. “His experience and veteran leadership has been important in the quarterbacks room and with the coaches. We’re securing a veteran player who has been a big part of what we’re building.”

A Pro Bowl selection in 2007 with the Cleveland Browns when he threw for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns, Anderson has played in 59 career NFL games with 43 starts. He has career totals of 9,907 yards and 58 touchdowns with 55 interceptions on 825-of-1,537 passing for a 71.3 passer rating. He has played for Baltimore (2005), Cleveland (2005-09), Arizona (2010) and Carolina.