» CHARLES, PETERSON HIT THE MARKET
The free agent marketplace gained two big names at running back, lost the prime quarterback potentially available, and saw two top defenders removed from the grab bag.
Nine days before the free-forall begins, Adrian Peterson was told his $18 million option would not be picked up by the Vikings, and Jamaal Charles was released by the Chiefs on Tuesday. Together, they have rushed for more than 19,000 yards and scored 165 touchdowns.
Yet, at ages 32 (Peterson) and 30 (Charles) when the 2017 season begins, they are at that career juncture when long-term deals for the position are rare.
Yes, Peterson has Hall of Fame credentials and Charles might have had them had he not been so injury prone, but neither is likely to get a lengthy contract.
Certainly there will be some interest, particularly in Peterson, who came back from a devastating knee injury to rush for 2,097 yards and win league MVP honors in 2012.
He could be the player who puts a contender over the top, though he comes off another injury-ravaged season in which he played in three games. And the Vikings haven’t closed the door on his return at a lower salary.
“Adrian is an important part of the Minnesota Vikings organization,” GM Rick Spielman said Tuesday. “We will continue to have conversations with his representatives and leave our future options open while determining what is best for both parties moving forward.”
Charles, sidelined for all but eight games the past two seasons, drew the highest praise from Chiefs owner Clark Hunt.
“Jamaal has been one of the most prolific players in our organization’s history,” Hunt said, “and I have an enormous amount of respect for what he has accomplished. He’ll always be a part of the Chiefs family and we’ll be ready to honor him for his outstanding playing career when the time is right.”
The time was right for the Redskins to keep Kirk Cousins, giving him an exclusive franchise tag. They have until July 15 to work out a lengthy contract, but meanwhile he will be due to make somewhere near $24 million in 2017 — a pretty hefty number for a player with no postseason victories.
Cousins got a non-exclusive tag last year.
Last season, Cousins broke his franchise record for passing yards, nearly eclipsing 5,000, and set another team mark with more than 400 completions, throwing for 25 TDs and 12 interceptions with a completion rate of 67 percent.
The Redskins lost four of their last six games to end up 87-1 and miss the playoffs.
Charles’ teammate, All-Pro safety Eric Berry, said he wouldn’t play for Kansas City if he was tagged for a second straight year. That was avoided when the Chiefs finalized a $78 million, six-year deal with Berry.
Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma three years ago, went through several rounds of brutal chemotherapy, then was deemed cancerfree the following summer. He’s been sensational since returning.
“Keeping Eric Berry in a Chiefs uniform long term has been a significant goal,” GM John Dorsey said. “He’s a special football player and an incredible person. We’re thrilled we were able to get this deal done.”
Arizona’s Tyrann Mathieu had set the benchmark for the position after signing a $62.5 million, five-year deal with $40 million guaranteed. Berry is also getting $40 million guaranteed.
Kansas City also signed offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to a $41.25 million, five-year extension.
Pass rusher Jason PierrePaul has shown the Giants he’s recovered from a serious hand injury sustained in a fireworks accident in 2015. The team placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Tuesday.
It marked the second time in three years the Giants tagged Pierre-Paul. The other time was in 2015, but the 2010 firstround pick never signed his $14 million tender.