The Minnesota Vikings have signed cornerback Captain Munnerlyn to a three-year deal.

The team announced the signing on Thursday evening. Munnerlyn tells The Associated Press that he is very excited about a deal that will pay him up to $15 million. He says he pushed for a three-year deal over the four-year deal Minnesota initially offered.

Locking up Munnerlyn helped the Vikings address another big need on a defense that struggled last season. Munnerlyn spent the first five seasons of his career in Carolina.

Last season, the 25-year-old had a career-high 74 tackles and 3½ sacks. He also returned both of his interceptions for touchdowns and has five defensive touchdowns in his career.