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The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t wasting any time filling major needs.
Two people familiar with the moves say five-time Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore, cornerback Byron Maxwell and quarterback Mark Sanchez have agreed to contracts with the Eagles. Both sources spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the deals weren’t finalized and can’t be announced until the NFL’s new season begins on Tuesday at 4 p.m. EDT.
Free agents were allowed to start negotiating with teams Saturday.
Gore leaves the San Francisco 49ers as the franchise’s all-time leading rusher after 10 seasons. His contract is for three years and reportedly includes $7.5 million guaranteed. Gore will help replace LeSean McCoy. The two-time All-Pro will be traded to the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday for linebacker Kiko Alonso.
Maxwell started 17 games for the Seattle Seahawks over the last two seasons and played opposite All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman in a star-studded secondary that includes All-Pro safety Earl Thomas and three-time Pro Bowl safety Kam Chancellor. His deal is for five years and reportedly is worth $54 million with $25 million guaranteed.
Sanchez joined the Eagles last year following five seasons with the New York Jets and started the final eight games after Nick Foles was injured. He reportedly is getting a two-year deal worth 9 million with $5.5 million guaranteed.
The Eagles finished 10-6 for the season straight season under coach Chip Kelly, but didn’t make the playoffs after a 1-3 finish. Kelly took control of personnel moves in the offseason and cleared plenty of cap space last week by trading McCoy and releasing longtime starting offensive lineman Todd Herremans, linebacker Trent Cole and cornerback Cary Williams.
Dolphins optimistic about reaching deal with Suh
MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins have pulled ahead in the Ndamukong Suh sweepstakes, and their lead may be insurmountable.
The Dolphins were privately optimistic Sunday that they would seal a deal with the All-Pro defensive tackle shortly after free agency begins Tuesday. Suh’s multiyear contract is expected to reach nine figures and set a record for an NFL defensive player.
Miami began negotiating with Suh’s agent Saturday to hammer out the framework for a contract, but teams can’t talk directly with players until Tuesday.
Suh and his agent didn’t respond to messages from the AP seeking comment.
Suh, whose contract with the Detroit Lions is expiring, has been hailed by many as the best free agent defensive player in a generation. He’s a three-time first-team All-Pro pick, including the past two seasons.
Ravens Smith bids farewell to Baltimore
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith has said goodbye to Baltimore, where he starred for four seasons after being drafted out of Maryland.
The Ravens have very little room under the salary cap and evidently won’t be spending the money it will take to keep Smith in Baltimore when free agency begins on Tuesday.
In a blog, Smith wrote Sunday, “I will be playing for a different organization” and “It is tough to leave a city that I now call home.”
Jets running back shot in Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. — New York Jets running back Chris Johnson and another passenger were shot in their shoulders while stopped at a traffic light in Orlando early Sunday morning, and the driver of the vehicle they were in was killed.
The NFL player and the other passenger, Reggie Johnson, were in stable condition at a hospital Sunday. A person close to Johnson confirmed it was the running back who was involved. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on Johnson’s behalf.
Sheriff’s deputies said another vehicle pulled up to the Jeep the men were in and opened fire. The Jeep’s driver, Dreekius Oricko Johnson, was killed.
Deputies said no arrests had been made, and investigators were seeking witnesses to the shooting.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris and everyone impacted by this tragic event,” the Jets said in a statement.