NFL free agency in full swing as Bradford lands another huge deal

BIG money contracts are common place in American football but no one can believe the swindle Sam Bradford has pulled off.

Sam Bradford has the best agent in the game.

BALTIMORE Ravens safety Eric Weddle couldn’t believe his eyes when a report dropped journeyman quarterback Sam Bradford had been offered a two-year $51 million contract by the Arizona Cardinals.

“So dumb,” Weddle tweeted. “Bradford has been paid more for nothing than anyone in (the) history of (the) NFL.”

If the deal goes through, and Bradford plays well enough in his first season with the Cardinals for the team to pick up the second-year of his deal, his career earnings will reach $196 million.

That’s an extraordinary amount of money for a man who is still yet to win a playoff game since being selected first overall in the 2010 draft — and has won just 34 of 80 games.

Somebody tell Sam Bradford to at least wear a Ski Mask if he’s gonna continue to rob teams. Smh..... never seen a more trash player make this much money.

— Low Soul (@Loso_CHE) March 13, 2018

Bradford wasn’t the only quarterback to settle on a team on a manic Tuesday of free agency.

Drew Brees is staying put in the Big Easy. Case Keenum is headed to the Rocky Mountains.

Kirk Cousins? His first visit as a free agent will be to Minnesota, with the Vikings long considered a natural landing spot for one of the most valuable quarterbacks.

One day before the league’s new year begins, quarterbacks were again stealing the spotlight, starting with Brees.

The Saints star has agreed to a two-year, $64 million extension with New Orleans, with $34 million guaranteed the first year, two people familiar with the contract told The Associated Press.

Brees is 39 and wants to finish his career in New Orleans, where he has played since 2006, won a Super Bowl and led what has been one of the most productive offences in the NFL since he and coach Sean Payton arrived.

“I’ll be here as long as they’ll have me,” Brees said after last season ended.

In 2017, Brees completed an NFL-record 72 per cent of his passes for 4,334 yards and 23 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He ranked fourth in the NFL in yards passing and the Saints ranked second in the NFL in total offence.

Case Keenum will take over in Denver.

Keenum, a backup when the season began, guided Minnesota to the NFC North title and then into the conference championship game. He’ll cash in with the Broncos. The 30-year-old Keenum is considered the second-best QB available in free agency. He went 11-3 with 3,547 yards passing, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His last-second throw to Stefon Diggs stunned the Saints 29-24 in the playoffs.

Denver chose to bypass incumbents Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch and go for Keenum, who can’t sign until Wednesday.

Six years ago, GM John Elway landed Peyton Manning, the biggest free-agent prize in NFL history, following his release by the Colts and a series of neck fusion surgeries. Manning guided the Broncos to two Super Bowls and won the 2015 NFL championship. Now, Elway hopes another free agent will replicate Manning. Cousins will visit with the Vikings on Wednesday, agent Mike McCartney said. ESPN reported that Cousins will sign with the Vikings, but McCartney said no decision has been made yet by his client.

New York also has shown interest in Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater.

In other moves:

SUPER Bowl champion Philadelphia lost two tight ends, cutting veteran Brent Celek, then saw Trey Burton agree to a four-year, $41 million contract with Chicago. The Bears also will be signing Jacksonville receiver Allen Robinson on Wednesday and place-kicker Cody Parkey.

Kirk Cousins is expected to become the highest paid quarterback in the NFL. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)

BUFFALO bolstered its interior defensive line, agreeing to a deal with Carolina tackle Star Lotulelei and re-signing Kyle Williams, who contemplated retirement.

KANSAS City will add wide receiver Sammy Watkins and middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens, filling two glaring needs. The 24-year-old Watkins intends to sign a $61 million, three-year contract with $38 million in guarantees, while the 25-year-old Hitchens agreed to a five-year deal, two people familiar with their decisions told the AP. The Chiefs have needed to pair a playmaking wideout with Tyreek Hill. Watkins, the 2014 fourth overall pick of the Bills, spent last season with the Rams, where he caught 39 passes for 593 yards and eight touchdowns.

RECEIVER Albert Wilson is closing in on a $31 million, three-year deal with the Dolphins. Miami traded top receiver Jarvis Landry to Cleveland and has a need. They also are near an agreement with Patriots receiver Danny Amendola The Dolphins also cut linebacker Lawrence Timmons after just one season with them. Timmons went AWOL on the eve of last year’s opener, was briefly suspended and played poorly when he returned. He signed a $15 million, two-year contract in 2017 after 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His departure clears $7 million in cap space for Miami.

JACKSONVILLE linebacker Paul Posluszny, 33, the second-leading tackler in franchise history, retired after 11 seasons. Posluszny started his career in Buffalo before playing the final seven years in Jacksonville. He led the Jaguars in tackles five times. His 973 stops trail only Daryl Smith (1,089) in Jacksonville’s record book.

— with AP

Originally published as NFL free agency in full swing as Bradford lands another huge deal