After spending six years with Tom Brady in New England, Pro Bowl receiver Wes Welker agreed to a two-year deal Wednesday worth $12 million fully guaranteed to team up with Peyton Manning in Denver.
Welker had at least 110 receptions and 1,165 yards in five of his six seasons in New England. He made the Pro Bowl the last five years and was named All Pro four of the past five seasons.The Patriots responded hours later by signing Danny Amendola, a one-time Cowboys receiver and most recently of the Rams, to a five-year, $31 million deal with $10 million guaranteed.Briefly • Seahawks: Defensive end Cliff Avril, who racked up 29 sacks and nine forced fumbles over the past three seasons with the Lions, agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract with Seattle. • Jaguars: Former Cowboys receiver Laurent Robinson, who signed a five-year, $32.5 million contract with Jacksonville last year, was cut after he missed nine games last season with a series of four concussions. • Buccaneers: Safety Dashon Goldson signed a five-year, $41.25 million contract that includes $22 million in guarantees after playing on one-year deals in San Francisco the past two seasons. • Cardinals: It was shopping day in Arizona with the addition of running back Rashard Mendenhall, who played four seasons in Pittsburgh, on a one-year contract, along with cornerback Jerraud Powers, safety Yeremiah Bell, linebacker Lorenzo Alexander and backup quarterback Drew Stanton. • Bengals: Undrafted linebacker Vontaze Burfict earned an NFL-high $299,465 in the league’s performance-based pay program that rewards players with high playing time percentages and low salary cap numbers. Burfict earned the rookie minimum $390,000 salary last season. • Rams: Tight end Jared Cook left Tennessee and signed a five-year deal worth as much as $38.5 million, including $19 million guaranteed. At 6-foot-5, 248 pounds and with 4.49 sprinter’s speed, Cook’s best season was 2011 when he caught 49 passes for 759 yards. • Lions: Detroit was busy on Wednesday, signing running back Reggie Bush to a four-year, $16 million deal; former Texans safety Glover Quin to a five-year, $25 million contract; and former Seahawks defensive lineman Jason Jones to a three-year, $9.5 million deal. • Chiefs: Receiver Donnie Avery, formerly of the Colts, signed a three-year, $8.55 million contract. He had 60 catches for 781 yards and three scores last season. • Colts: Offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus, who missed just four games in five years with the Lions, agreed to a five-year, $34 million deal in Indianapolis. • Panthers: Quarterback Derek Anderson agreed to a one-year deal to remain in Charlotte and veteran cornerback Drayton Florence, most recently with the Lions, signed a one-year contract. • Ravens: Strong safety Bernard Pollard was released, becoming the sixth player to leave the team by free agency, release or retirement since winning the Super Bowl. • ESPN: Two-time Super Bowl champion linebacker Ray Lewis will join ESPN as a studio analyst on Monday Night Football, Sunday NFL Countdown and ESPN Radio. Lewis retired last month after 17 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. • Titans: Former Jets running back Shonn Greene agreed to a three-year, $10 million deal and former Colts linebacker Moise Fokou agreed on a two-year contract. • Bills: Former Bengals linebacker Manny Lawson signed a four-year, $12 million contract that includes $4.6 million in guarantees.
NFL notes: Former Patriots WR Welker signs with Broncos, Manning
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