Here is a recap of the latest NFL free-agent signings and trades, as reported by One of the Green Bay Packers’ big off-season priorities was re-signing DT Colin Cole. But early Sunday morning, Cole wound up signing a five-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks, following the same path that former Packers coach Mike Holmgren once did.
Now, Green Bay has stepped up its efforts to sign Dallas Cowboys free agent DE Chris Canty, who is scheduled to visit Seattle on Sunday and Monday. Once again, the Seahawks and Packers are engaged in a battle for a defensive lineman.
QB Orlovsky lands with Texans
After trading Sage Rosenfels to the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, the Houston Texans needed a backup quarterback. They got one on Sunday, signing former Lions QB Dan Orlovsky, who arrived in Houston on Saturday and signed on Sunday.
Orlovsky received a three-year, $9.15 million contract with a $2.4 million signing bonus. The Broncos also were interested in Orlovsky, a four-year NFL veteran who started seven games for the Lions in 2008, but Denver was outbid by Houston.
Buccaneers reach agreement with Clayton
Just as Buccaneers quarterbacks have turned to wide receiver Michael Clayton, Tampa Bay’s front office now has done the same.
With Tampa needing to use up some of its salary-cap space, the Buccaneers and Clayton reached agreement on a five-year, $24 million deal that includes $10.5 million worth of guaranteed money.
Incentives and bonuses can push it to $26 million, but the larger point is that Tampa retained Clayton and wide receiver Antonio Bryant when many wondered if either would return.
The Detroit Lions have traded quarterback Jon Kitna to the Dallas Cowboys. The compensation is not available at this point.
Dawkins signs five-year deal with Broncos
Denver signs free agent safety Brian Dawkins to a five-year, $17 million deal that includes $7.2 million guaranteed. The contract also has escalators that could boost the value of the deal to $27 million over five years, but the deal also could be voided to two years, $9 million.
- Former Bengals quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick signed with the Buffalo Bills.
- San Francisco re-signed free-agent linebacker Takeo Spikes to a two-year contract.
- Giants free-agent safety James Butler is visiting the Rams. St. Louis coach Steve Spagnuolo is familiar with Butler after coaching him in New York the past two seasons as the Giants’ defensive coordinator.
New York and Philadelphia have completed a trade that sends cornerback Lito Sheppard to the Jets while the Eagles receive a 2009 fifth-round pick and a 2010 conditional draft pick.
The pick could be as high as a second-round choice in 2010 and as low as a fourth. But the Eagles will get two picks and the Jets get Sheppard, who was in New York Saturday for a physical.
More signings from a busy Saturday
- Free agent DT Rocky Bernard, who spent the previous seven seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, signed with the New York Giants.
- Cardinals free-agent defensive end Antonio Smith is now a member of the Texans. Smith signed a five-year, $35 million deal that includes $12.5 million in guarantees on Saturday.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
