Buccaneers, Nicks agree to five-year, $47.5M contract
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their busy run through free agency on Wednesday, agreeing to terms with former New Orleans Saints guard Carl Nicks on a five-year, $47.5 million deal, the team announced on its official website.
Eagles, WR Jackson agree to terms on five-year, $48.5M contract
The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms on a five-year contract with wide receiver DeSean Jackson, the team announced Wednesday.Jackson will earn $48.5 million over five seasons. The team applied the franchise tag to the receiver before the deadline to do so earlier this month. Had the two sides not worked out an agreement, Jackson would have received approximately $9.4 million in 2012.
Calvin Johnson signs new eight-year contract with Lions, making him highest paid Wr
The Detroit Lions have locked up their biggest star, signing receiver Calvin Johnson to an eight-year contract, according to the team's official website.
Johnson is set to earn close to $130 million over the next eight seasons, including $113.5 million over the final seven years of the deal, league sources told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora.
The deal includes $4.5 million in an existing roster bonus due on the final year of his rookie deal.
The deal also includes $53 million in guaranteed money, with his $1.25 million base in 2012 guaranteed, and $36 million due in signing and option bonuses. According to La Canfora, $11.5 million in future salary is guaranteed for injury only.
Johnson is set to earn close to $130 million over the next eight seasons, including $113.5 million over the final seven years of the deal, league sources told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora.
The deal includes $4.5 million in an existing roster bonus due on the final year of his rookie deal.
The deal also includes $53 million in guaranteed money, with his $1.25 million base in 2012 guaranteed, and $36 million due in signing and option bonuses. According to La Canfora, $11.5 million in future salary is guaranteed for injury only.
Cowboys land CB Brandon Carr & Kyle orton
Brandon Carr underneath the bright lights of Cowboys Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys have agreed to a five-year deal with the free agent cornerback on Wednesday.the contract is worth $50.1 million.The Cowboys also agreed to a three-year contract with quarterback Kyle Orton. Both Carr and Orton played last season for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The latest on Drew Brees and the saints
The relationship between Drew Brees and the city of New Orleans has been nothing short of magical, but the star quarterback has yet to warm up to the idea of signing the exclusive franchise tag placed on him by the Saints.
"I've played under the franchise tag before, back in 2005, and that ended with 13 anchors in my right shoulder and a 25 percent chance of playing football again," Brees told ESPN's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on Wednesday, via ProFootbalTalk.com.
"That didn't work out too well for me. I've talked to the Saints about this many times. They definitely know my desire to have a long-term deal, and hopefully they want me to have that as well. We will continue discussions and hopefully get a long-term deal done."
Brees, of course, is referencing the career-threatening shoulder injury he suffered in 2005 as a member of the San Diego Chargers. That injury required complicated surgery and placed Brees' playing future into question. It's a level of uncertainty he's not excited to revisit.
"I'd say that this is a very critical period here over the next short while until we start April 16th," Brees told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "What I'm really focused on is continuing to negotiate toward a long-term deal and I really am not going to look too far down the road other than just what's right in front of me. I want to make sure that this is done the right way."
Brees watched as the Saints locked up his primary target, receiver Marques Colston, to a five-year, $40 million deal on Tuesday, with just under $20 million guaranteed. Colston choosing to stay with New Orleans might encourage Brees to stick around, but the four-time Pro Bowl pick and Super Bowl MVP isn't budging from his hopes for a long-term agreement.
Brees wants to end his NFL career in the city he's given so much to, but refused to answer if he would practice or play if a new extension can't be hammered out by the start of the season.
"I won't give an answer other than that was never my intent when I entered into these discussions with the Saints," Brees told The AP. "It was to extend the deal and to sign long term and finish my career in New Orleans. ... That's what I'm working wholeheartedly toward and that's really all I can say."
"I've played under the franchise tag before, back in 2005, and that ended with 13 anchors in my right shoulder and a 25 percent chance of playing football again," Brees told ESPN's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on Wednesday, via ProFootbalTalk.com.
"That didn't work out too well for me. I've talked to the Saints about this many times. They definitely know my desire to have a long-term deal, and hopefully they want me to have that as well. We will continue discussions and hopefully get a long-term deal done."
Brees, of course, is referencing the career-threatening shoulder injury he suffered in 2005 as a member of the San Diego Chargers. That injury required complicated surgery and placed Brees' playing future into question. It's a level of uncertainty he's not excited to revisit.
"I'd say that this is a very critical period here over the next short while until we start April 16th," Brees told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "What I'm really focused on is continuing to negotiate toward a long-term deal and I really am not going to look too far down the road other than just what's right in front of me. I want to make sure that this is done the right way."
Brees watched as the Saints locked up his primary target, receiver Marques Colston, to a five-year, $40 million deal on Tuesday, with just under $20 million guaranteed. Colston choosing to stay with New Orleans might encourage Brees to stick around, but the four-time Pro Bowl pick and Super Bowl MVP isn't budging from his hopes for a long-term agreement.
Brees wants to end his NFL career in the city he's given so much to, but refused to answer if he would practice or play if a new extension can't be hammered out by the start of the season.
"I won't give an answer other than that was never my intent when I entered into these discussions with the Saints," Brees told The AP. "It was to extend the deal and to sign long term and finish my career in New Orleans. ... That's what I'm working wholeheartedly toward and that's really all I can say."