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 The start of the National Football League's free agency period set
453 players loose to negotiate with all 32 clubs and triggered the
deal-making.
In the most surprising deal of the day, the Seattle Seahawks
obtained three-time Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham and a 2015
fourth-round draft pick from the New Orleans Saints for center Max
Unger and a 2015 first-round pick.
Other confirmed trades included five-time Pro Bowler Haloti Ngata
going to the Detroit Lions from the Baltimore Ravens, premier
running back LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills from the Philadelphia
Eagles and wide receiver Brandon Marshall joining the New York Jets
from Chicago Bears.
In a rare exchange of quarterbacks, the Eagles sent Nick Foles and a
second-round pick in 2016 to the St. Louis Rams for Sam Bradford and
a fifth-round pick in 2015.
Three-times Pro Bowler McCoy, the 2013 NFL rushing leader, was
traded for linebacker Kiko Alonso, who was named Rookie of the Year
in 2013 but missed last season due to injury.
Baltimore failed to reach contract terms with Ngata before the
deadline and instead shipped him to Detroit, who were keen to add a
defensive tackle after losing Ndamukong Suh.
Terms were not yet known, though reports said the Ravens received a
pair of late-round draft picks.
Chicago reportedly received a fifth-round draft pick from the Jets
for Marshall, who grabbed 279 receptions for 3,524 yards and 31
touchdowns in three seasons with the Bears.
The coming of Marshall sealed the fate of receiver Percy Harvin, who
joined the ranks of free agents after being released by New York.
Gore joins the Colts after 10 seasons with the 49ers, where he
earned five Pro Bowl nods and became the team’s all-time leader in
rushing with 11,073 yards and 64 touchdowns.
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Revis, considered one of the top players eligible for free agency,
spent six seasons in New York from 2007 to 2012 and will sign a
five-year contract worth $70 million that includes $39 million
guaranteed, NFL.com reported.
The player later confirmed on his official Twitter page he was
returning to the Jets after one season with the New England
Patriots, where he helped them win the Super Bowl.
The Patriots declined to exercise a $20 million option on Revis, but
held exclusive negotiating rights that expired on Tuesday.
In another free-agent signing, new Denver Broncos coach Gary Kubiak
replaced departed free agent tight end Julius Thomas with Owen
Daniels, who he had coached in Baltimore and Houston.
(Reporting by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Frank Pingue)
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