CHARLOTTE, N.C. � The Carolina Panthers have signed Jake Delhomme to a five-year extension that keeps their quarterback under contract through the 2014 season.

Details were not immediately available Thursday, but the move clears needed salary-cap space.

The extension comes just over three months after the 34-year-old Delhomme had the worst game of his career, throwing five interceptions and losing a fumble in Carolina's 33-13 loss to Arizona in the NFC divisional playoffs.

But coach John Fox and general manager Marty Hurney had expressed strong support in the offseason for Delhomme, who has been the Panthers' starter since 2002.

The move also gives the Panthers some breathing room under the salary cap, weighed down by Julius Peppers' one-year tender worth $16.7 million.