Spencer Larsen and his young family finally have a nest egg.
Larsen, a former Arizona Wildcats linebacker, signed a four-year contract with the Denver Broncos on Wednesday afternoon.
Larsen, the Broncos' sixth- round pick in April's NFL draft, can make as much as $1.7 million over the length of the deal.
The rookie said he hoped Wednesday's signing marks the start of a long pro career.
"Your first contract, it's great, but we understand that the contract only goes as far as we can make it go," Larsen said Wednesday from his Denver apartment.
There are few guarantees in the NFL, especially for late-round picks. Contracts can be terminated at any time, for any reason.
To combat the uncertainty, Larsen was awarded a $97,500 signing bonus. The money could help support the 24-year-old linebacker, his wife Annie and their 15-month-old son, Tyton, should he fail to make the team.
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Larsen has hired a financial planner to stretch the bonus money as much as possible. He also has a plan.
"We're going to start with Step 1, and that's to make the team. Step 2 is to produce on special teams," Larsen said.
And Step 3?
"Have myself as prepared as possible," Larsen said, "so when the time comes, I'm ready."
Larsen is expected to make $295,000 in 2008, $385,000 in 2009, $470,000 in 2010 and $555,000 in 2011.
His fourth-year salary could jump based on playing time.
Larsen has a new contract and his old position back. He spent two weeks of Broncos minicamp learning to play fullback before injuring his leg. When he returned, coaches had decided he would be a better fit at his natural position of middle linebacker. Larsen was even issued a linebacker's jersey number — 54.
"He's so smart, so versatile, so athletic and so willing to do whatever it takes to help the team; it's a strength of his," said Bruce Tollner, Larsen's agent.
"I'm sure that now he's back on the defensive side of the ball and learning, he'll continue to do well there."
Larsen is the fourth former Arizona Wildcat to sign an NFL contract this summer.
Defensive tackle Lionel Dotson (Dolphins) and cornerback Wilrey Fontenot (Falcons) signed with the teams that drafted them.
Louis Holmes inked an undrafted free agent deal with the 49ers.
Antoine Cason, a first-round pick of the Chargers, is the only former Wildcat who has not signed a pro contract.
Cason figures to become a rich man: Last year's No. 27 pick, University of Tennessee wide receiver Robert Meachem, received $11.3 million over five years from the New Orleans Saints. Cason should receive at least that much, plus a 3 percent to 5 percent cost-of-living increase.
NFL teams will open training camps later this month.
Larsen will be there with money in the bank.
"I tell Ann every day, 'I can't wait for training camp to start,' " he said.
