LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers joined the Bears in the biggest move by a team that showed it’s fixated on contending again after missing the playoffs the past three seasons.
Peppers, the top free-agent prize who had 81 sacks in eight seasons with the Panthers — 10 1/2 last year — agreed Friday to a six-year deal worth potentially $91.5 million.
Agent Carl Carey said a record $42 million is guaranteed, with Peppers earning $20 million in the first year and $40.5 million over the first three. The deal includes incentives for sacks, making the Pro Bowl and winning defensive player of the year.
Besides Peppers, the Bears lured running back Chester Taylor from NFC North champion Minnesota with a four-year contract and blocking tight end Brandon Manumaleuna from San Diego with a five-year deal. Taylor’s contract is worth $12.5 million with $7 million guaranteed.
Ravens acquire WR Boldin
BALTIMORE — The Ravens obtained three-time Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin from the Cardinals for a third- and a fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft. Baltimore also got a fifth- round pick from Arizona.
Boldin, 29, has amassed at least 1,000 yards receiving in five of his seven seasons, including 1,024 yards on 84 catches last season.
Boldin received a new, four- year, $28 million deal with Baltimore in which $10 million is guaranteed.
Cribbs gets new deal
BEREA, Ohio — Return specialist Josh Cribbs received a three-year contract from the Browns.
The Browns restructured the final three years of the six-year, $6.67 million deal Cribbs signed in 2006. He will receive $7.5 million in guaranteed money, and if he reaches incentives, the 26-year-old could make as much as $20 million.
Footnotes.
The Patriots re- signed unrestricted free-agent linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, keeping their top pass rusher in the fold for another three years.
• The Giants made Antrel Rolle the richest safety in the NFL, giving the former Cardinals Pro Bowler a five-year, $37 million contract that includes $15 million in guaranteed money.
• Linebacker Gary Brackett signed a five-year deal that’s likely to keep the Colts captain with Indianapolis the rest of his career.
• After cutting linebackers Akin Ayodele and Joey Porter as well as free safety Gibril Wilson, the Dolphins signed former Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby to a five-year, $43 million deal.
• The Lions sent a fifth-round pick in April’s draft to the Browns in exchange for defensive lineman Corey Williams and a seventh-round choice, and also agreed to a $26 million, four-year deal with defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who spent the past five seasons with the Titans.
• The Falcons agreed to terms on a six-year deal with free-agent cornerback Dunta Robinson, who had 13 interceptions in the last six seasons with the Texans.
• Jets safety Kerry Rhodes will receive his $2 million roster bonus next week and remain in New York. The Associated Press
