NFL transaction roundup: Cousins officially a Viking

[March 16, 2018]  On the second day of the NFL's new league year, the top free agent officially came off the board.

The Minnesota Vikings announced the signing of quarterback Kirk Cousins on Thursday. Cousins agreed to a three-year deal with the Vikings worth $84 million fully guaranteed, making him the highest-paid player in the league.

The 29-year-old had dined with Vikings ownership and players Wednesday. He will take over for Case Keenum in Minnesota after Keenum signed with the Denver Broncos for two years and $36 million on Wednesday. The Vikings also added a quarterback from the Broncos, acquiring Trevor Siemian and a seventh-round pick in the 2018 draft for a late-round pick in 2019.

The following other transactions were made official Thursday:

--The Jaguars signed free agent OG Andrew Norwell (five years, reportedly worth $66.5 million), WR Donte Moncrief (one year, reportedly worth approximately $10 million), CB D.J. Hayden (three years, reportedly worth $19 million), S Cody Davis (two years, reportedly worth $5 million), TE Niles Paul (two years, reportedly worth just under $5 million base value) and S Don Carey III. Jacksonville also re-signed WR Marqise Lee to a four-year deal reportedly worth up to $38 million.

--The Titans signed free agent CB Malcolm Butler (five years, reportedly worth $61 million) and RB Dion Lewis (four years, reportedly worth $23 million).

--The Chiefs signed WR Sammy Watkins (three years, reportedly worth $48 million), LB Anthony Hitchens (five years, reportedly worth $45 million) and re-signed FB Anthony Sherman (one year, reportedly worth $2 million).

--The Raiders signed WR Jordy Nelson (two years, reportedly worth $15 million), RB Doug Martin and FB Keith Smith (two years, reportedly worth $4.2 million).

--The Buccaneers signed free agent DT Beau Allen to a three-year deal.

--The Redskins signed free agent WR Paul Richardson to a five-year deal reportedly worth up to $40 million. Washington also announced its extension with new QB Alex Smith, a deal that is reportedly worth $94 million over four years.

 

--The Browns signed free agent RB Carlos Hyde (three years, reportedly worth more than $15 million), CB T.J. Carrie (four years, reportedly worth $31 million), OL Chris Hubbard (five years, reportedly worth $37.5 million), DE Chris Smith (three years, reportedly worth $14 million), TE Darren Fells (three years, reportedly worth $12 million), CB Terrance Mitchell (three years, reportedly worth $12 million) and OT Donald Stephenson (one year, reportedly worth $2.5 million). Cleveland also released CB B.W. Webb, DL Ricky Ali'ifua, OL Zach Banner, DL Collin Bevins, LB Jeremy Cash, OL Joseph Cheek, WR Sammie Coates, S Trevon Hartfield and RB Josh Rounds and traded CB Jason McCourty and a 2018 seventh-round pick to the Patriots for a 2018 sixth-rounder.

--The Bills signed QB AJ McCarron (two years, reportedly worth $10 million with incentive escalators).

--The Texans signed free agent G/C Zach Fulton (unknown length, but reportedly worth $7.5 million annually), CB Aaron Colvin (four years, reportedly worth $34 million), G Senio Kelemete (three years, reportedly worth $12 million) and T Seantrel Henderson (one year, reportedly worth $4 million).

--The Lions signed free agent LBs Christian Jones (two-year deal, reportedly worth $7.75 million) and Devon Kennard (three years, reportedly worth $18.75 million).

--The Colts signed free agent DE Denico Autry to a three-year contract reportedly worth $17.8 million.

--The 49ers traded C Daniel Kilgore and swapped 2018 seventh-round picks in a deal with the Dolphins.

--The Bengals re-signed P Kevin Huber to a three-year deal.

--Field Level Media

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