ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) When Darren Waller signed a multiyear contract extension worth a reported $9 million a season, he couldn't help but reflect on the journey he's been on since signing a deal in that same office a year ago to join the Oakland Raiders from Baltimore's practice squad.

A player who nearly squandered his career because of a drug addiction now has developed into someone so dependable that the Raiders want him around for the long term.

"It's incredible to me," Waller said. "It's hard for me in my mind to think what I'll be like in 2024, but I just try to let the days stack and it'll handle itself. It means a lot to me that they would do that. It's, I don't want to say disbelief, but it's just still surreal to me. I remember last year sitting in that same room signing my contract coming from Baltimore. I just didn't want to mess this up, so now to have something in place is incredible."