NFL Free Agency: Julius Peppers Just Got Paidby Sarge
As suspected, it did not take long before the transactions started flying throughout the NFL. Also as suspected, those players that have been subjected to the restricted free agency rule set in place by the uncapped season get to sit back with their one-year tenders while the cagey veterans rake in the guaranteed money. Impact players throughout the league found themselves as recipients of one-year offers from their current teams simply because of their service time. Players like Arizona's Anquan Boldin, Oakland's Kirk Morrison and Cleveland's D'Qwell Jackson - the NFL's leading tackler just one year ago - were only three of the many. But on the flip side, there are others that get to actually reap the benefits of the uncapped year. Longtime Carolina Panther's defensive end, and multiple-time Pro Bowler, Julius Peppers was the main attraction this week. Rumored to be linked to Washington and Cleveland, Peppers found home in Chicago thanks to a six-year, $91.5 million deal. That number does not include possilble escalators, but it does include the record-setting amount of $42 million guaranteed. And the Bears did not stop there, inking running back Chester Taylor to a four-year, $12.5 million deal as well. Last year's big free agent was defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who signed for $100 million, with $41 million being guaranteed. Peppers has become the highest non-quarterback in the NFL. Veteran defensive back Antrel Rolle joins Peppers in the latest batch of free agent signings. The 27-year old inked a deal with the New York Giants that makes him the highest-paid safety in the league thanks to $15 million guaranteed in a five-year $37 million deal. Fellow defensive back Dunta Robinson was offered a deal by the Atlanta Falcons that will lock him up for the next six years. Wide receivers are not to be left out of the mix as Kevin Walter was signed for five years ($21 million) by his current team, the Houston Texans. And a move that surprised many, the Detroit Lions signed wide receiver Nate Burleson, also for five years. The catch here is that the deal includes $11 million guaranteed. For comparison purposes, Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne earned a signing bonus of $12.5 million for his six-year contract in 2006. There definitely isn't a recession in the NFL, and these contracts may only be the tip of the iceberg. -- Stephen Dunn/Getty Images |
Impact players throughout the league found themselves as recipients of one-year offers from their current teams simply because of their service time. Players like Arizona's Anquan Boldin, Oakland's Kirk Morrison and Cleveland's D'Qwell Jackson - the NFL's leading tackler just one year ago - were only three of the many. 

