Monster trades steal spotlight in NFL
Bradford, Graham among players changing teams as free agency opens
As free agency began Tuesday, the NFL looked more like fantasy football. Trades, anyone? Monster deals sending Jimmy Graham to Seattle and Sam Bradford to Philadelphia stole the spotlight from free agent signings.
New Orleans agreed to send its star tight end to the Seahawks for centre Max Unger, with draft picks changing hands. The Saints are to get a first- round pick, while Seattle receives a fourth- rounder.
That stunner was followed by Bradford, the injury- prone quarterback who barely has played the past two years ( knee), going to Philadelphia for Nick Foles, who also comes off an injury- shortened season ( collarbone). Bradford was the top overall draft pick in 2010.
Foles is the latest starter to depart Philadelphia. He joins twotime All- Pro running back LeSean McCoy, now in Buffalo, and Pro Bowl wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, headed for Kansas City, in going elsewhere.
Philadelphia also added Seahawks starting cornerback Byron Maxwell as a free agent with a sixyear deal.
Other moves announced Tuesday, as free agency officially began:
All- Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis is coming back to the Jets after winning the Super Bowl with the rival Patriots last season.
Revis’ agents Neil Schwartz and Jon Feinsod wrote on Twitter on Tuesday night that “pending legal,” Revis had agreed to terms on a new deal with the Jets.
The five- year contract is worth $ 70 million US, with $ 39 million guaranteed. He’ll make $ 33 million in the first two years, and $ 48 million in the final three.
Revis had two interceptions last season while helping the Patriots win the Super Bowl, but New England declined a $ 20 million option for 2015 — including a $ 12.5 million roster bonus — making him a free agent — and a top target for the Jets and new general manager Mike Maccagnan.
Baltimore dealt defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to Detroit, which is about to lose All- Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in free agency. Ngata, 31 and a five- time Pro Bowler, is due $ 8.5 million next season and has a $ 16 million salary cap figure.
The Bills confirmed acquiring McCoy for linebacker Kiko Alonso; McCoy also signed a contract extension for $ 40 million over five years.
The Chargers agreed to terms of a five- year contract with guard Orlando Franklin, signing him away from AFC West rival Denver. Franklin, a Torontonian, has been a starter since his rookie season of 2011.
Carolina released DeAngelo Williams, its career rushing leader.
Tennessee quarterback Jake Locker, his four- year pro career ravaged by injuries, retired, say- ing he has no “burning desire” to keep playing.
The 49ers lost another mainstay when running back Frank Gore, their career rushing leader, joined the Colts.
Linebacker A. J. Hawk, who grew up in Ohio and attended Ohio State, agreed to terms with Cincinnati on a two- year deal. Hawk spent his first nine seasons in Green Bay.
Jacksonville, with lots of salary cap room, grabbed tight end Julius Thomas away from Denver among a slew of moves. The Jaguars agreed to deals with defensive end Jared Odrick, right tackle Jermey Parnell, cornerback Davon House, linebacker Dan Skuta and safety Sergio Brown.
Thomas agreed on a five- year deal worth $ 46 million, with $ 24 million guaranteed.
Arizona got probably the best run blocker in this year’s group, guard Mike Iupati, who agreed on a five- year, $ 40 million contract with $ 22.5 million guaranteed. The 6- foot- 5, 331- pound lineman played five seasons with San Francisco, is a three- time Pro Bowl player and made the All- Pro team in 2012.
Arizona also re- signed linebacker LaMarr Woodley.
The Falcons fortified the middle of new coach Dan Quinn’s defence by signing free- agent linebackers Brooks Reed and Justin Durant.