Eagles land Bradford, Seahawks get Graham
Trades overshadow signings, as the NFL’s free-agent season officially begins
NEW YORK— 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 two-time allpro 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 six-year deal.
Baltimore dealt nose 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 Mc- Coy for linebacker Kiko Alonso; McCoy also signed a contract extension for $40 million over five years.
The New York Jets were on the verge of one of the biggest free-agent moves late Tuesday, with cornerback Darrelle Revis expected to return after winning a Super Bowl in New England last season. A source told Newsday that Revis, who spent the first six years of his career with the Jets, had a agreed to a five-year, $70million deal, with $39 million fully guaranteed.
The Jets confirmed a previously agreed upon trade, getting receiver Brandon Marshall from Chicago for a fifth-round draft pick. They also released receiver-returner Percy Harvin, whom they acquired last season from Seattle.
Carolina released DeAngelo Williams, its career rushing leader.
Two retirements also drew attention. Five-time All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis, the heart of San Francisco’s defence for eight seasons, called it quits because of recurrent toe and feet injuries. And Tennessee quarterback Jake Locker, his fouryear pro career ravaged by injuries, also retired, saying 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.
Jacksonville, with lots of salary cap room, grabbed tight end Julius Thomas away from Denver among a slew of moves. The Jaguars also signed defensive end Jared Odrick, right tackle Jermey Parnell, cornerback Davon House, linebacker Dan Skuta and safety Sergio Brown.
Thomas agreed to 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 fiveyear, $40-million contract with $22.5 million guaranteed. The 6foot-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.