Last March, former NFL Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper reached a plea deal to serve a maximum of nine years in prison concurrently for the drugging and rapes of nine women in four states.

Well, USA Today is reporting that Sharper has reached a new plea agreement, which could have him in prison for more than nine years, while also mandating that he testifies against two co-defendants in an upcoming federal trial this year.

Although the terms of the new plea deal haven't been revealed, Sharper had the option of withdrawing his original plea and facing trial with the possibility of 20 years in prison on federal rape and drugging charges or trying to reach a new plea agreement. He chose the latter.

On Wednesday, a hearing for Sharper's new plea deal was set for March 17, with a trial scheduled for May 16, involving co-defendants Brandon Licciardi and Erik Nunez. If the USA Today reports pan out to be true, Sharper would receive more than nine years in prison, but less than 20 years due to him testifying against Licciardi and Nunez.

“Mr. Sharper respectfully requests that his sentencing be continued until after the trial of this matter, currently scheduled for May 16, 2016, so that the Court can evaluate his full cooperation in connection with sentencing,” Sharper's lawyers said in court Wednesday, as reported by USA Today. "The government consents to this request."

U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo granted that motion, setting Sharper's new sentencing date for June 16. 

The 40-year-old Super Bowl winner formerly pled guilty or no contest to rape and drugging charges in Arizona, Nevada, California and Louisiana.

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(Photo: REUTERS/Nick Ut/Pool)