The free agent marketplace gained two big names at running back, lost the prime quarterback potentially available, and saw two top defenders removed from the grab bag.
Nine days before the free-for-all begins, Adrian Peterson was told his $18 million option would not be picked up by the Vikings, and Jamaal Charles was released by the Chiefs on Tuesday. Together, they have rushed for more than 19,000 yards and scored 165 touchdowns.
Yet, at ages 32 (Peterson) and 30 (Charles) when the 2017 season begins, they are at that career juncture when long-term deals for the position are rare.
Peterson has Hall of Fame credentials and Charles might have had them had he not been so injury prone, but neither is likely to get a lengthy contract.
Certainly there will be some interest, particularly in Peterson, who came back from a knee injury to rush for 2,097 yards and win league MVP honors in 2012.
He could be the player who puts a contender over the top, though he comes off another injury-ravaged season in which he played in three games.
The time was right for the Redskins to keep Kirk Cousins, giving him an exclusive franchise tag. They have until July 15 to work out a lengthy contract, but meanwhile he will be due to make somewhere near $24 million in 2017 — a pretty hefty number for a player with no postseason victories.
On the defensive side, the Jets informed Darrelle Revis they are releasing him. That ends a rocky second tenure with the team that was marked by a slip in play because of injuries and age. Revis, 31, was scheduled to make $15 million, including a $2 million roster bonus, next season — but that would have been a lofty salary for an aging player who admittedly had a subpar year.
Charles’ teammate, All-Pro safety Eric Berry, said he wouldn’t play for Kansas City if he was tagged for a second straight year. That was avoided when the Chiefs finalized a $78 million, six-year deal with Berry.
Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma three years ago, went through several rounds of brutal chemotherapy, then was deemed cancer-free the following summer. He’s been sensational since returning.
Arizona’s Tyrann Mathieu had set the benchmark for the position after signing a $62.5 million, five-year deal with $40 million guaranteed. Berry also is getting $40 million guaranteed.
Pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul has shown the Giants he’s recovered from a serious hand injury sustained in a fireworks accident in 2015. The team placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Tuesday.