ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Raiders agreed Wednesday with potential free-agent defensive tackle Richard Seymour on a two-year, $30 million contract that includes $22.5 million in guaranteed money.
reported Seymour would be paid $15 million each of the next two years with $7.5 million in 2012 guaranteed in a bonus.
The deal allows Oakland to avoid using a franchise tag on Seymour for a second straight season. He got about $12.4 million last season and would have been in line for a salary of about $14.9 million next season with the tag. Instead he signed a deal that will keep him in Oakland for two more seasons.
The Raiders can’t use the franchise tag on cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, making tight end Zach Miller the most likely recipient if the team opts to use the tag.
Chiefs franchise linebacker Hali
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs put the franchise tag on linebacker Tamba Hali, who went to the Pro Bowl this past season as the AFC’s leading sacker.
As a nonexclusive franchise player, Hali is guaranteed a one-year contract equal to the average paid last year to the five highest-paid players at his position if he stays with Kansas City. He can still negotiate with other teams. But the Chiefs would get two first-round draft picks from any team that signed him.
In addition to his 14 1/2 sacks, Hali had 50 tackles, 19 quarterback pressures and four forced fumbles last season.
Bills release defensive lineman Stroud
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Bills released defensive lineman Marcus Stroud in a move that freed up salary and playing time for the team’s young and developing players.
Stroud’s departure was not considered a surprise after the 10-year NFL veteran struggled in making the transition in Buffalo’s switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme. Stroud was scheduled to make $10 million in base salary over the final two years of his contract, including $4.5 million next season. Stroud finished last season with 49 tackles and three sacks.
The Associated Press
