The New Orleans Saints agreed to a four-year, $12 million contract with defensive tackle Hollis Thomas on Wednesday. According to reports, Thomas will be paid about $6 million in the first year of his contract alone. Thomas was pleased to stay with the Saints after leaving the Philadelphia Eagles the season before.

"I wanted to stay; my heart was here," said Thomas.

Thomas was suspended for the final four games of the regular season after testing positive for a banned steroid. He was able to return for the team's two playoff games, however.

"As long as I still have the passion, I'll keep playing," said Thomas, who turned 33 in January. "I'm not going to kid myself. I'll play each year one year at a time, come out and try to play my best. At the end of it, if I don't feel like going back to work out at the end of the season, then that's when I'll know I'm not supposed to be here anymore."

Thomas had 43 tackles, including 3.5 sacks this season.