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Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez signed a five-year deal on Wednesday that made him the highest-paid player in franchise history. The contract could be worth as much as $60 million, including incentives, with $28 million guaranteed.

“It’s one huge thing behind me, a big weight lifted off all our shoulders,” Sanchez said after the Jets’ afternoon minicamp practice. “They know that I’m all about football now and that’s all I have to focus on now. And that’s the best part. Secondly, it allows me to get involved in the community here and back home, so that’s great, too. A really, really special day.”

The signing came somewhat as a surprise, considering Sanchez is only the second player from April’s first round to come to terms. The Jets traded up to take him at No. 5 overall. Although quarterback Matthew Stafford, selected by the Lions with the first pick, has signed a six-year, $72-million contract, high picks usually don’t sign this early. Typically, talks don’t really heat up until training camp nears, when both sides feel more pressure to reach an agreement. It is believed this is the earliest the Jets have signed their top pick.

But Sanchez’s agent, David Dunn, along with Sanchez’s brother Nick, who was serving as an independent contractor in the negotiations, came to the Jets’ training facility last week to help jump-start the talks. They made the end of this week a self-imposed deadline and were able to get things done quicker than they expected.

“We had had some discussions a couple weeks ago and I give them a lot of credit,” Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said. “We were trying to create a sense of urgency even though obviously it’s still early June.”

The USC product’s deal has one fewer year than Stafford’s. However, the Jets and Sanchez’s camp see it as a tradeoff. The Jets don’t have to pay Sanchez as much in guaranteed money now, and it also allows Sanchez to hit the free- agency market sooner.

Said Dunn: “I think both sides were comfortable with that at the end.”

Sanchez’s signing leaves only running back Shonn Greene (third round) unsigned among the Jets’ three draft picks. Sixth-round pick Matt Slauson, an offensive lineman, signed last month. It also means Sanchez will be able to resume his battle with Kellen Clemens for the starting job when training camp begins in Cortland July 31.

“I think one, it sends the right message,” Sanchez said. “It’s not in my makeup to hold out like that. That would have just been terrible for me. But this just eliminates that whole factor. I’ll be there Day One, ready to go and ready to compete. So it’s going to be a good time and a competitive time.”