Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali cashed in on a career year in 2010 by reaching a five-year, $60 million deal that includes $35 million in guarantees, a source told ESPN.com senior NFL writer John Clayton on Wednesday.

According to the source, Hali is planning to be at Chiefs training camp on Thursday afternoon.

Hali had been designated as the Chiefs' franchise player after a breakthrough season in which he led the AFC with 14.5 sacks. He had been playing on a five-year deal worth $3.3 million, but his new contract puts him in the same echelon as Cowboys pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware, who has a six-year, $78 million deal.

The Kansas City coaching staff and front office never seemed too concerned that Hali had not agreed to a new contract as the first week of training camp came to a close. When asked Monday whether he was happy with his pass-rush, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel replied: "No! Tamba's not here yet!"

Crennel went on to say, "Soon as Tamba gets here, my pass-rush will improve."

That's about to happen.

Hali will be joined by a number of free agent veterans who have been unable to fully participate in practice before Thursday because of rules set out in the new collective-bargaining agreement.

Among the new faces that he'll join are former Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Kelly Gregg, former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Steve Breaston, ex-San Diego Chargers linebacker Brandon Siler, and former All-Pro fullback Le'Ron McClain, who agreed to a one-year deal earlier Wednesday.

Wallace Gilberry could also get on the field Thursday. The defensive end was a restricted free agent who recently signed his contract after finishing second on the team with seven sacks a year ago.

The 27-year-old Hali was chosen by the Chiefs with the 20th overall pick in the 2006 draft after a stellar career at Penn State. He immediately moved into the starting lineup at defensive end in the 4-3 alignment used by the previous coaching staff, and had eight sacks during his rookie season.