The drama is over. After a lengthy contract dispute that started after the 2013 NFL season and included an arbitrator needing to rule him officially as a tight end, Jimmy Graham and the New Orleans Saints have come to an understanding.

The Saints officially agreed to terms on a new deal with the star play-maker, while also making Graham the league’s highest paid tight end. Per reports, Graham’s pact is good for $40 million over four years and will give him $21 million, guaranteed.

The signing puts an end to a rough situation that could have gotten awfully ugly with training camp beginning in a week. With Graham in tow, the Saints can freely enter 2014 with full confidence on offense, knowing they have one of the league’s elite play-makers, as well as quite arguably the league’s best tight end under contract.

Graham was definitely due a big pay day, as he torched the league for a career high 16 touchdowns in 2013 and is rapidly evolving into an impossible assignment for opposing safeties.

Graham’s contract beats out New England Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski by $1 million per year ($10 to $9), while his guaranteed cash is $5 million more than Jared Cook (St. Louis Rams) and Dennis Pitta (Baltimore Ravens).

It only makes sense, as Graham has proven to be much more reliable and dominant than all three players. Gronkowski is easily right up there with Graham in terms of talent and impact, but with 14 missed games over the past two years. Graham, on the other hand, has missed two games in his entire four-year career.

Cook has displayed elite speed in the open field and Pitta has turned into a very versatile and reliable threat, but neither has been nearly as dominant as Graham. Cook did post career numbers in his first season with the Rams in 2013, but that was largely thanks to a massive week one performance. He did very little on a weekly basis from that point on. Pitta has yet to prove he was worth all the hype and money, as well, as a bad hip injury knocked him out of the majority of last season.

Comparisons aside, Graham is one of the most talented pass-catchers in the league and is now being deservedly paid like one.