The Washington Redskins have made the biggest splash on the first day of NFL free agency, signing former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to a seven-year, $100 million contract.
Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the deal includes $41 million guaranteed in the first three years, and the maximum value of the deal could be $115 million. According to Schefter, the deal is the richest contract ever given to a player and includes more guaranteed money than any contract in NFL history has ever included.
The quickness of the deal -- getting done just hours after the start of the free agency period -- could lead to questions of whether the Redskins tampered with Haynesworth. After all, $100 million contracts are complex documents. How did the Redskins and Haynesworth have time to hammer out all the details before 6 AM on the first day that they were allowed to talk to each other?
NFL tampering rules, however, are difficult to enforce because the charges are hard to prove. And the Redskins are obviously working hard this morning at spending Dan Snyder's money. They've already signed Haynesworth and DeAngelo Hall, and they're reportedly making overtures to Cowboys defensive end Chris Canty and Ravens guard/center Jason Brown. Snyder is apparently immune to the effects of the recession.
Tracking NFL Free Agents
Albert Haynesworth, Defensive tackle, Tennessee Titans
SIGNED WITH WASHINGTON - Seven years, $100 million
The Latest: Just hours after becoming an eligible free agent, Haynesworth agreed to a monster deal with Washington.
Mark Humphrey, AP
DeAngelo Hall, Cornerback, Washington Redskins
RE-SIGNED WITH WASHINGTON - Six years, $54 million
The Latest: For the second time in his young career, Hall received a massive deal, this time from big-spending Washington.
Nick Wass, AP
Bart Scott, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
SIGNED WITH JETS - Terms not disclosed
The Latest: Scott seemed like the odd man out in Baltimore, so he took the money and ran to New York, and a reunion with Rex Ryan.
G. Newman Lowrance, Getty Images
Nnamdi Asomugha, Cornerback, Oakland Raiders
RE-SIGNED WITH OAKLAND - Three years, $45.3 million
The Latest: One of the NFL's brightest young stars, Asomugha inked a gigantic contract to stay in Oakland.
Greg Trott, Getty Images
Julius Peppers, Defensive end
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY PANTHERS
The Latest: Despite his expressed wishes, Peppers was tagged by Carolina. He'll make nearly $17 million next season, but the Panthers will have to work out a trade for him to leave.
Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
Antonio Bryant, Wide receiver
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY BUCS
The Latest: Bryant will stay in Tampa, and receive nearly $10 million next year, a huge jump from the $600K he earned in 2008.
Joe Robbins, Getty Images
Dunta Robinson, Cornerback
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY TEXANS
The Latest: Houston will keep Robinson for next season, and continue to work on a long-term extension.
Greg Trott, Getty Images
LeRoy Hill, Linebacker
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG USED BY SEAHAWKS
The Latest: Seattle franchised Hill and, though he's free to talk with other teams, it's unlikely anyone will cough up multiple first-day draft picks for a trade.
Ted S. Warren, AP
Terrell Suggs, Linebacker
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY RAVENS
The Latest: The Ravens opted to lock down Suggs for next season, at the risk of losing both Ray Lewis and Bart Scott. Suggs will earn $10.2 million in 2009.
Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
Darren Sproles, Running back
FRANCHISE TAG USED BY CHARGERS
The Latest: Sproles will earn $6.6 million next season after San Diego franchised him. Now the question is, will he be the starter or LdT's backup?
Donald Miralle, Getty Images
Comments (Page 1 of 5)
O YEA BABY!!!!!! A defense that was already one of the best in the league just got better!!! I love it, H.T.T.R
Amen brotha ! Hail to the Redskins !!!
Defense the best in the league? What league are YOU talking about?? $100. mil. they coulda got Peyton Manning. But i guess they are ok with the dunce they have at qb now. Best defense NOT to make the playoff's again, MAYBE. surely not in the league..Once again it will be between them and Dallas for LAST place. Best defense in the League??? LMAO
OMG they pulled it off
i thought they were gonna forget about him and go for chris canty which woulda been a huge mistake by the way,but now all the redskins defense needs is a outside backer hopfully orakpo falls to them at #13 in the draft,
if he dosent then they should trade back out of the first round and pick up a micheal johnson from GT hes a DE but can easily be converted to left outside backer,with those pieces in place the redskins will hhave a championship deffense
The only other thing to do is work on the o line a lil bit i say let kendall go and resighn and reunit dockery back with the O-line and let hyer take over the right tackle spot,then pick up a OT through via free agentcy for depth,theirs no need to rush and find a replace guy for samuels just yet he still has yrs left to play,and with the main starters set on offense and how well they did for their first yr under the genious jom zorn theirs a strong chance for a deep playoff run baby
yea hail to the redskins
I love the Redskin, but, um, WTF???? $100 mil???? Guess no more second receiver to complement Moss. $54 mil for Hall already too high, and now this, good God Snyder.
How can the Deadskins afford these players and stay under the cap. How is it they do that and sill stink up the field.
I'm a little scared that sence he has his money he mmight not try as hard... and also he is moving from 3-4 to 4-3.
the tampering stuff is bogus
the simple explanation is that hayensworth and his agent had a ruff draft of the contract they had in mind and when free agency kicked off they faxed it to all the teams that gave him a call.
dont be so surprised that they got it done before you could get a good sleep and finish ur cup of joe because snyder is a wizz when it comes to money and numbers
THE REDSKINS ARE A TEAM FULL OF STARS BUT THEY WILL NOT BE A TEAM AS LONG AS D. SNYDER IS THE OWNER. ************* GGGGGOOOOOOOO GGGGGGGGGG-MEN
idk we shouldv gone after canty and houz now that would be smart
Redskin fans -
I hope, seriously hope, for your sake Big Al plays like he did before when he was playing for a contract. Sometimes there's a drop off after the player gets a big contract, because, ya know, he's not playing for a bajillion dollars anymore.
Greed........Is this guy a Wall Street boy?
Is he going to ask for a bailout from Obama?
Everybody should listen to Greg Norman. Sports
figures should not be taking this kind of money
during these hard times
You are right, Joe. Who will pay for it? The fans that go to the games. Ticket prices will be up again and will continue to go up until only the Congress members and their lobbyists will be at the games.
It's a sad day for Titan fans. Albert is absolutely the best there is at his position.
This is by far one of the saddest days of a Tennessee fan. So now I guess we will trade Vince Young, if we sign Kerry Collins. We are headed for the basement. Come on Tennessee, get the D back right, let Kerry Collins go and get Vince some wide outs and letsa score some points!
What salary cap restraints? GREAT MOVE SNYDER, & U add in our young secondary they could be dominant for years to come! Now lets focus on a #2 Wr, & O line
Ummm .. why spend $100 million on an already good defense, when it is the offense with the problems???
Great - we'll hold teams to 10 points - meanwhile we'll get 3.
Way to go Washington, you just spent $100 mil for a player who will produce nothing. How many times will a big man receive a large contract and stop playing at a high level? Plus the defense is already a top ten d. Why spend $100 mil on one player. Why not grab a bunch of younger players that can learn from the vets. Or better yet, get a WR. Coles is out there, and Moss cant catch every ball Campbell throws. Besides, is that $100 mil player going to stop Dallas, Philly, and New York his self. NO. Spread the wealth else where then.
I hate to see Albert go, he really did a great job for the Titans. However, I'm glad the 'Skins got him. He can be their problem. Albert palyed his ass off for the "the huge payday" but now that he's got it, he's going to lay down. Even if the Titans beat the offer, he still would not produce the way he has in the past. Bet he doesn't make it out of camp without an injury that keeps him on the bench next year.
SICKENING. How could someone be worth 1/4 of that much money? Bet him and Hall both get hurt and don't even play this next year.