Football, Contracts | featured news

The NFL restricted free-agent market is active once again. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders has signed an offer sheet with the New England Patriots, his agent Jordan Woy confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

Tom Brady took a huge step today to ensure he'll retire a Patriot, agreeing to a three-year contract extension that will keep him under center for New England through the 2017 season, when he will be 40 years old.

There was no glitch. No last-minute curveball. No monkey wrench in the gears. The Broncos and quarterback Peyton Manning have agreed to terms on a five-year, $96 million contract, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Peyton Manning, a free agent quarterback, has chosen to play for Denver next season, and the two sides are negotiating a contract, a person briefed on the decision said.

Calvin Johnson is getting paid. The Lions are giving him a seven-year, $132 million extension, with $60 million guaranteed.

The Arizona Cardinals and Larry Fitzgerald have agreed to an eight-year deal that could pay the star receiver as much as $120 million, making it one of the richest deals in the NFL.

Plaxico Burress will continue his N.F.L. career in New York after all — with the Jets. Burress, the talented but controversial receiver who has not played since shooting himself in the leg in November 2008, agreed in principle to a one-year contract, the team announced Sunday morning. The Jets outfoxed the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Giants — both of his former teams — to sign him.

Brett Favre is on his way to Minnesota to meet with the Vikings.

Michael Vick, recently reinstated to the NFL after being freed from federal prison after a dog fighting-related conviction, has signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to his agent, Joel Segal. The league suspended Vick in August 2007 after he pleaded guilty to bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in Virginia.

Eli Manning would be the league’s highest-paid player after a reported $97.5 million deal with the Giants.