Lots of moves already as NFL free agency began officially at 4p today. Check out what has already happened and stay updated as free agents re-sign or move on to a new team…
Via FoxSports:
DOLPHINS LAND WALLACE — 4:40 P.M. ET
The most highly sought skill-position player in free agency has a new home.
Wide receiver Mike Wallace has agreed to contract terms with Miami, the NFL Network reported.
Although there is a weak class of free-agent wideouts in 2013, Wallace is considered a blue-chip player because of his speed, upside and age (26). Wallace has the most catches of 40-plus yards in the NFL since 2009 and a career 17.2-yard average.
Wallace’s receiving numbers dipped slightly in 2012 following Pittsburgh’s change to a shorter passing game under new offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Wallace did himself no favors by missing almost the entire preseason in a contract holdout and dropping an excessive number of passes.
The Dolphins were anxious to add a speedy wide receiver to help bolster one of the NFL’s most anemic deep passing offenses in 2012. Miami also re-signed wideout Brian Hartline late last week. Read more — Alex Marvez
BENNETT HEADING TO CHICAGO — 4:15 P.M. ET
One of the NFL’s top tight ends had a new contract just one minute into Tuesday’s free-agent signing period.
Profootballfocus.com first reported that Martellus Bennett will be leaving the New York Giants for the Chicago Bears.
Bennett quickly confirmed the news on his Twitter account (@JoeGryffindor).
“I’m proud to say I’ll be joining my other brother (Brandon Marshall) next season. #BEARDOWN,” Bennett wrote.
Bennett and Marshall, a Bears wide receiver, aren’t related but close friends. Read more — Alex Marvez
EAGLES GET RID OF ASOMUGHA — 4 P.M. ET
The release of Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha just before the start of Tuesday’s free-agent signing period served as a chilling reminder that not every high-priced veteran who changes teams will prove worth the money.
Asomugha was considered a “can’t miss” addition when signing a five-year, $60 million contract with the Eagles in 2011. Asomugha was an All-Pro selection four times during his first eight seasons with the Oakland Raiders and widely regarded along with Darrelle Revis of the New York Jets as the NFL’s best cornerbacks in 2010.
Asomugha, though, never lived up to his lucrative deal with the Eagles. Philadelphia’s pass defense slipped to a No. 24 ranking in 2012 with Asomugha and fellow cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie struggling in coverage. Read more — Alex Marvez
PACKERS REWORK JOLLY’S DEAL — 3:54 P.M. ET
It could be the first sign of a second chance or it could mean absolutely nothing, but the Green Bay Packers have restructured the contract of recently reinstated defensive lineman Johnny Jolly.
Jolly was suspended by the NFL in 2010, shortly after signing a restricted free-agent tender with the Packers for $2.5 million. Jolly’s violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, however, never allowed him to earn that money.
After being reinstated by the NFL earlier this month, Jolly automatically became part of Green Bay’s active roster with his salary temporarily carrying over. Clearly though, the Packers would never have considered paying Jolly, now 30 years old and three years removed from playing football, that same amount. First reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, today’s NFL Players Association salary data revealed the expected pay cut for Jolly to have him now on the books for $715,000.
That move trims the Packers’ salary obligation (and cap space) by $1.8 million. Read more — FOX Sports Wisconsin
VIKINGS RELEASE WINFIELD — 3:45 P.M. ET
The Minnesota Vikings’ busy Tuesday continued with very unexpected news.
Minnesota cut 14-year veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield on Tuesday, releasing one of the team’s leaders and most consistent defensive performers. Winfield’s release, confirmed to FOXSportsNorth.com by his agent Ashanti Webb, comes a day after the Vikings traded playmaking receiver Percy Harvin. On Tuesday, the team also reportedly restructured the contract of tight endJohn Carlson and re-signed receiver Jerome Simpson hours before the 3 p.m. start of free agency.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that releasing Winfield was considered a cost-cutting move, with Webb telling Rapoport, “It’s financial.” Winfield, 35, was scheduled to make $7.25 million this season.
Winfield, a three-time Pro Bowler and considered one of the best tackling corners in the NFL despite his 5-foot-9, 180-pound frame, had 110 tackles last season for Minnesota and tied for the team lead with three interceptions. A year after missing 11 games due to injury, he played all 16 games last year as the Vikings rested their top cornerback during the week to keep him fresh for game days. Read more — FOX Sports North
GLAZER: GONZALEZ WILL RETURN FOR ANOTHER SEASON
The most productive tight end in the history of the NFL is officially putting off retirement for one more year.
Tony Gonzalez told FOX Sports in an exclusive interview that he has now told the Atlanta Falcons he is coming back and the two sides are on the verge of a new contract that will put him back with Matt Ryan and Co. for one more run.
“After discussing it with my family and really, truly struggling with this decision, I informed the Falcons that I would like to return for one more shot,” Gonzalez told FOX Sports after meeting with doctors in order to get medical clearance. “Considering how this season ended, I wanted to give it another run with Matt (Ryan), Smitty (head coach Mike Smith) and the guys we have in there. It was the first time I had won a playoff game and hopefully coming back once more we can take it one step further.” Read more
