The Vikings signed defensive end Brian Robison to a four-year contract extension Wednesday for reportedly $13 million in guaranteed money.

Robison, who is in his seventh season with the team, is in the final year of a three-year deal he signed in 2011. He elected to sign during the season and forego free agency.

"I think in any player's mind, anytime you have an opportunity to hit free agency, it creates a little bit of excitement," Robison said. "But after me and my family sat down and talked about things, we realize there's not a whole lot of guys in the league that get to start their career in one place and end their career in one place. This is an opportunity for me to do that"

The team gave Robison an opportunity to start in 2011 by signing him to a $14.1 million deal, which included a $6.5 million signing bonus.

"That deal, to me, was an opportunity to be a starter and an opportunity to prove myself in this league," Robison said. "I was able to do that. I'm not going to sit here and toot my horn. I'm just very thankful to the Vikings for giving me that opportunity."