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Last year, a stream of franchise quarterbacks got big-money deals in the offseason. This year, the investments will be made in the guys charged with the duty of picking off the passes thrown by franchise quarterbacks.

Last week, the Seahawks inked Earl Thomas to a four-year, $40 million extension. Today, Seattle gave a four-year, $57.4 million extension to cornerback Richard Sherman.

Next up? Browns cornerback Joe Haden and Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson.

Both players’ camps were closely watching the Sherman negotiations, waiting to do their deals until Sherman completed his contract. While Haden may not get as much as Sherman, Peterson could push for an even better deal.

Sherman plays one side of the field in a system that is swarming with great players. Peterson plays shutdown corner in the truest sense, following a team’s top wideout, wherever he lines up.

Peterson, the fifth overall pick in the same year Sherman was a fifth-rounder, has declined to rule out the possibility of a holdout, if he doesn’t get the contract he wants. Whatever he wants, he possibly wants even more, now that Sherman has cashed in.