NEW YORK — Until the New York Jets landed Darrelle Revis, the first hours of NFL free agency Tuesday looked more like fantasy football.
Trades, anyone?
Monster deals sending Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks and Sam Bradford to the Philadelphia Eagles stole the spotlight from free agent signings. That is until mid-evening, when Revis Island returned to the Meadowlands.
The Jets dug into their past to bring back the cornerback, according to his agents. Revis goes from the Jets’ archrival New England Patriots, who he helped win the Super Bowl last month, to his NFL roots.
The deal is for five years and $70 million, with $39 million guaranteed.
New Orleans agreed to send its star tight end to the Seahawks for center Max Unger, with draft picks changing hands. The Saints are to get a first-round pick, while Seattle receives a fourth-rounder.
That stunner was followed by Bradford, the injury-prone quarterback who barely has played the past two years because of knee injuries, going to Philadelphia for Nick Foles, who also comes off an injury-shortened season and is headed to St. Louis. Bradford was the first overall draft pick in 2010.
Foles is the latest starter to depart Philadelphia. He joins running back LeSean McCoy, now with the Buffalo Bills, and Pro Bowl wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, headed for the Kansas City Chiefs, in going elsewhere.
Philadelphia also added Seahawks starting cornerback Byron Maxwell as a free agent with a six-year deal. And Seattle brought in cornerback Cary Williams, formerly of the Eagles and a 2012 Super Bowl winner with the Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore dealt nose tackle Haloti Ngata tothe Detroit Lions, who is about to lose defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in free agency. Ngata, 31 and a five-time Pro Bowler, is due $8.5 million next season and has a $16 million salary cap figure.
The Bills confirmed acquiring McCoy for linebacker Kiko Alonso; McCoy also signed a contract extension for $40 million over five years.
The Jets also confirmed a previously agreed upon trade, getting receiver Brandon Marshall from the Chicago Bears for a fifth-round draft pick. The Jets released wide receiver Percy Harvin, whom they acquired last season from Seattle.
The Carolina Panthers released DeAngelo Williams, their career rushing leader.
Two retirements also drew attention away from the chase for free agents. Linebacker Patrick Willis, the heart of the San Francisco 49ers’ defense for eight seasons, called it quits. The 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year is leaving because of recurring toe and feet injuries.
“In my head, I’m already a Hall of Famer,” Willis said. “I am leaving this with closure, saying that I am happy today, more happy today than I was the day I was drafted. That says something to me.”
Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker, his four-year pro career ravaged by injuries, also retired, saying he has no “burning desire” to keep playing.
The 49ers lost another mainstay when running back Frank Gore, their career rushing leader, joined the Indianapolis Colts.
Linebacker A.J. Hawk, who grew up in Ohio and attended Ohio State, agreed to terms with the Cincinnati Bengals on a two-year deal. Hawk spent his first nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, with lots of salary cap room, grabbed tight end Julius Thomas away from the Denver Broncos among a slew of moves. The Jaguars agreed to deals with defensive end Jared Odrick, right tackle Jermey Parnell, cornerback Davon House, linebacker Dan Skuta and safety Sergio Brown.
Thomas agreed on a five-year deal worth $46 million, with $24 million guaranteed.
The Arizona Cardinals got probably the best run blocker in this year’s group, guard Mike Iupati, who agreed on a five-year, $40 million contract with $22.5 million guaranteed. The 6-foot-5, 331-pound lineman played five seasons with San Francisco, is a three-time Pro Bowl player.
Arizona also re-signed linebacker LaMarr Woodley.
The Atlanta Falcons fortified the middle of new coach Dan Quinn’s defense by signing free agent linebackers Brooks Reed and Justin Durant.
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