Other side: Lots of players cut

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 big time, 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. On Tuesday, the Cardinals let running back Adrian Peterson go.

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.

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

Mathieu was due for $18.75 million of his contract to be guaranteed when the league year officially began.

Baltimore frees up an estimated $5 million in salary cap space by releasing Maclin, who signed on as a free agent in June.

The Ravens agreed to deals with receivers John Brown and Ryan Grant.

San Francisco agreed to a four-year contract with running back Jerick McKinnon and a five-year deal with center-guard Weston Richburg. McKinnon replaces departing starter Carlos Hyde and Richburg could start anywhere in the interior line.

The New York Giants agreed with offensive tackle Nate Solder, late of the Patriots, to become its starter on the left side. Solder, a 29-year-old who played at the University of Colorado, will get a fouryear contract worth about $62 million.

The Bills restocked their quarterback position by agreeing to a two-year contract with AJ McCarron.

The 27-year-old spent the past four seasons backing up Andy Dalton in Cincinnati after being selected by the Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 draft.

Five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh officially was released by the Dolphins, when the trades to acquire defensive end Robert Quinn and send Jarvis Landry to the Cleveland Browns were formalized.

Miami also released tight end Julius Thomas.

Tight end Virgil Green got a three-year contract from the Chargers.

The New York Jets signed linebacker Avery Williamson to a three-year contract worth $22.5 million.

Quarterback Tom Savage signed with the Saints.