Promises turn into paydays in NFL free agency

All those promises worth millions upon millions to free agents turned into paydays Wednesday when the NFL’s business year began.

Of course, teams needed to clear salary cap space or rejigger their ledgers to make it work, and they’ll still be doing so for months.

While the likes of Drew Brees, Malcolm Butler and Andrew Norwell cashed in bigtime, having reached agreements in the past two days before everything became official, some value entered the marketplace. Arizona released safety Tyrann

Mathieu when it couldn’t rework his deal. Baltimore cut receiver Jeremy

Maclin. Detroit said goodbye to tight end Eric Ebron. Pittsburgh tore up a secondary that often was torn up by opposing quarterbacks, releasing Mike

Mitchell, Robert Golden and William Gay.

But Carolina had more success with a veteran, completing a one-year deal with defensive end Julius Peppers.

The 38-year-old Peppers, who contemplated retirement after 17 pro seasons, remains with the Panthers for $5 million, with $2.5 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the situation said.

“I am fired up to have him back,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said.

Jets: After losing out on the Kirk

Cousins sweepstakes, New York brought back Josh McCown on a oneyear deal worth $10 million on Wednesday. The Jets also agreed to terms with former Minnesota Vikings quarterback

Teddy Bridgewater — also on a oneyear contract, according to published reports. Bears: Chicago has agreed to contracts with linebacker Sam Acho and cornerback Prince Amukamara.

Quarterback Mike Glennon, receiver Marcus Wheaton and defensive back

Marcus Cooper were released on Wednesday.

Quarterback Chase Daniel indicated on Twitter that he is headed to Chicago.

Broncos: Case Keenum is joining his fifth team in five years and Denver is turning to its fifth quarterback since

Peyton Manning retired 24 months ago.

Vikings: Minnesota is reportedly negotiating a trade with the Broncos to acquire quarterback Trevor Siemian.