Percy Harvin's big-play ability will give Seattle another explosive weapon. (Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports)
Wide receiver Percy Harvin has had a history of migraines with the Minnesota Vikings, not to mention creating numerous distractions and threatening holdouts.
Monday, the Vikings rid themselves of the headache when they agreed to deal Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks for first-and seventh-round picks in this year’s draft and a mid-round choice in 2014.
However, the contract is contingent on Harvin passing a physical and coming to terms on a new contract by Wednesday. Harvin is entering the final season of the rookie deal he signed in 2009.
The trade, just like Kansas City’s acquisition of quarterback Alex Smith from San Francisco, won’t be official until after the league year begins at 4 p.m. Eastern Time Tuesday.
Bothered by an ankle injury last season, Harvin played in just nine games, catching 62 passes for 677 yards (10.9 average) and three touchdowns. He also rushed for one touchdown and averaged 35.9 yards on 16 kickoff returns, including a 105-yard touchdown.
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson wasn’t pleased by the trade. He tweeted, “The best all-around player I’ve ever seen or you’ll ever see! Goes to Seattle! I feel like I just got kicked in the stomach. Several times!!!”
Harvin wasn’t the only wide receiver in which a trade was worked out Monday. The Baltimore Ravens sent Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round pick in next month’s draft. Boldin was instrumental in the Ravens’ Super Bowl victory over the 49ers.
Boldin had balked at taking a pay cut from his $6 million salary for this year.
Teams continued to scramble Monday to be compliant with the salary cap by Tuesday afternoon. Washington released cornerback DeAngelo Hall, while Dallas released linebacker Dan Connor and restructured the contracts of nose tackle Jay Ratliff, guard Mackenzy Bernadeau and cornerback Orlando Scandrick. The Cardinals released running back Beanie Wells, while the Broncos released linebacker D.J. Williams and quarterback Caleb Hanie. The Steelers and Rams officially released linebacker James Harrison and safety Quintin Mikell, respectively.
The Steelers re-signed guard Ramon Foster (potential (UFA) to a three-year contract, while Broncos safety David Bruton (potential UFA) also signed a three-year deal. The Jets signed quarterback David Garrard, who hasn’t played since the 2010 season because of injuries.
Following is the updated position-by-position list of top free agents available. The figures in parentheses are the franchise and transition tenders.
Quarterbacks ($14.896/$13.068 million)
Jason Campbell, Chicago
David Carr, N.Y. Giants
Drew Stanton, Indianapolis
Matt Leinart, Oakland
Brady Quinn, Kansas City
Running Backs ($8.219/$6.970 million)
Steven Jackson, St. Louis
Reggie Bush, Miami
Shonn Greene, N.Y. Jets
Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh
Cedric Benson, Green Bay
Ahmad Bradshaw (released by Giants)
Best of the rest: Michael Turner (released by Falcons); Beanie Wells (released by Cardinals); Felix Jones, Dallas; LaRod Stephens-Howling, Arizona
Wide Receivers ($10.537/$8.867 million)
Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh
Greg Jennings, Green Bay
Wes Welker, New England
Danny Amendola, St. Louis
Devery Henderson, New Orleans
Best of the rest: Jerome Simpson, Minnesota; Steve Breaston (released by Chiefs); Julian Edelman, New England; Ted Ginn, San Francisco; Joshua Cribbs, Cleveland
Tight Ends ($6.066/$5.194 million)
Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta
Dustin Keller, N.Y. Jets
Fred Davis, Washington
Delanie Walker, San Francisco
Martellus Bennett, N.Y. Giants
Best of the rest: Jared Cook, Tennessee; Anthony Fasano, Miami; James, Casey, Houston; David Thomas (released by Saints)
Tackles ($9.828/$8.709 million)
Ryan Clady, Denver (franchised)
Jake Long, Miami
Branden Albert, Kansas City (franchised)
Andre Smith, Cincinnati
Sebastian Vollmer, New England
Best of the rest: Phil Loadholt, Minnesota; Eric Winston (released by Chiefs); Gosder Cherilus, Detroit; Sam Baker, Atlanta; Jermon Bushrod, New Orleans; Bryant McKinnie, Baltimore; Winston Justice, Indianapolis
Guards ($9.828/$8.709 million)
Andy Levitre, Buffalo
Brandon Moore, N.Y. Jets
Lance Louis, Chicago
Louis Vasquez, San Diego
Kevin Boothe, N.Y. Giants
Best of the rest: Stephen Peterman (released by Lions)
Defensive Ends ($11.175/$9.151 million)
Michael Bennett, Tampa Bay
Michael Johnson, Cincinnati (franchised)
Cliff Avril, Detroit
Osi Umenyiora, N.Y. Giants
John Abraham (released by Falcons)
Best of the rest: Robert Geathers, Cincinnati; Kyle Vanden Bosch (released by Lions); Israel Idonije, Chicago
Defensive Tackles ($8.45/$7.039 million)
Henry Melton, Chicago (franchised)
Randy Starks, Miami (franchised)
Chris Canty, (released by Giants)
Sammie Lee Hill, Detroit
Corey Williams, Detroit
Best of the rest: Sedrick Ellis, New Orleans
Outside Linebackers ($9.619/$8.358 million)
Anthony Spencer (DE), Dallas (franchised)
Paul Kruger (DE), Baltimore
Dwight Freeney (DE), Indianapolis
Shaun Phillips, San Diego
Connor Barwin, Houston
James Harrison (released by Steelers)
Best of the rest: Calvin Pace (released by Jets); Michael Boley (released by Giants); Erik Walden, Green Bay
Inside Linebackers ($9.619/$8.358 million)
Dannell Ellerbe, Baltimore
Scott Shanle, New Orleans
Rey Maualuga, Cincinnati
Brian Urlacher, Chicago
Bart Scott (released by Jets)
Best of the rest: Stewart Bradley (released by Cardinals)
Cornerbacks ($10.854/$9.095 million)
Brent Grimes, Atlanta
Sean Smith, Miami
Mike Jenkins, Dallas
Derek Cox, Jacksonville
DeAngelo Hall, (released by Washington)
Best of the rest: Cary Williams, Baltimore; Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Philadelphia; Bradley Fletcher, St. Louis; Chris Houston, Detroit; Aqib Talib, New England; Nate Clements, Cincinnati
Safeties ($6.916/$6.002 million)
Dashon Goldson, San Francisco
Jairus Byrd, Buffalo (franchised)
Glover Quin, Houston
Ed Reed, Baltimore
LaRon Landry, N.Y. Jets
Best of the rest: Louis Delmas, Detroit; Quintin Mikell (released by Rams); Kenny Phillips, N.Y. Giants; Corey Lynch, San Diego; Dawan Landry (released by Jaguars); Adrian Wilson (released by Cardinals); Eric Smith (released by Jets)
Kickers ($2.977 million)
Phil Dawson, Cleveland
Josh Brown, Cincinnati
Lawrence Tynes, N.Y. Giants
Jason Hanson, Detroit
Nick Folk, N.Y. Jets
Punters ($2.977 million)
Shane Lechler, Oakland
Donnie Jones, Houston
Pat McAfee, Indianapolis (franchised)
