Reggie Bush is headed to the Dolphins. Kevin Kolb is off to the Cardinals, much like everyone expected. And in Thursday’s most surprising news, Chad Ochocinco reportedly is joining Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Day 3 of the compressed, post-lockout offseason also included more contract agreements and plenty of cuts, which teams were finally allowed to start announcing at 4:01 p.m. Among the players being released were Vince Young by the Titans, Nate Clements by the 49ers and Jake Delhomme by the Browns.
In the first dramatic example of how the new labor deal’s rookie salary system will affect elite players, No. 2 overall draft pick Von Miller got about $21 million over four years from the Denver Broncos. The No. 2 pick in 2010, Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, signed a five-year deal worth $40 million guaranteed and as much as $68 million overall.
Broncos football chief John Elway tweeted, “We have agreed to terms with our 1st round pick, LB Von Miller. Can’t wait to get him on the field.”
In the Kolb deal, Philadelphia received cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2012 second-round draft pick from Arizona, which needed a starting quarterback. Kolb had lost the Eagles’ No. 1 QB job to Michael Vick and wanted a chance to lead a team.
Kolb, who turns 27 next month, reportedly will get a $63 million, five-year contract with the Cardinals. Rodgers-Cromartie, who went to the Pro Bowl in 2009, will play opposite four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel in Philadelphia, shoring up a pass defense that struggled last season.
The Patriots were busy. In addition to adding Ochocinco, they also traded for defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. All Washington received was a 2013 fifth-round pick.
A person with knowledge of the Ochocinco deal told the AP he agreed to a new three-year contract with the Patriots. It was not known what the Bengals received in return.
Ochocinco provides another option for Brady, who has been without a deep target since the Patriots traded Randy Moss to the Minnesota Vikings last season. In 10 seasons, all with the Bengals, Ochocinco has 751 catches for 10,783 yards and 66 touchdowns. He has made the Pro Bowl six times.
The Dolphins finalized their trade for Bush by negotiating a new two-year contract for nearly $10 million with the running back, a source familiar with the situation said. It wasn’t immediately known what the Saints would receive.
“Change is never easy but I look forward to building something special in Miami and can’t wait to embark on this new journey!” Bush wrote on Twitter.
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