Packers, WR Antonio Freeman agree to multi-year extension
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN (TICKER) -- Pro Bowl wide receiver Antonio Freeman, who four days ago ended a holdout by signing a one-year tender offer, today signed a multi-year contract extension with the Green Bay Packers.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the seven-year deal is worth between $35 million and $40 million, including a $10 million signing bonus. Freeman's agent, Joel Segal, was unavailable for comment.
The contract could make Freeman, a four-year veteran, the highest-paid receiver in the NFL. Herman Moore of the Detroit Lions inked a seven-year, $36.15 million deal last month.
On Thursday, Freeman ended a two-week holdout by signing a one-year deal for $3.531 million, $1 million more on the cap than his new deal because of the pro-rated bonus.
An unrestricted free agent before Thursday, Freeman led the Packers with 84 receptions, 1,424 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. His role should be expanded this year with the recent retirement of Robert Brooks.
Freeman, 27, made the Pro Bowl for the first time last year, a successful follow-up to a breakout 1997 campaign in which he caught 81 passes for 1,243 yards and 12 TDs. He has led the team over the last three seasons with 221 receptions, 3,620 yards and 35 touchdowns in 44 games.
The Packers began their exhibition season Saturday without Freeman and rallied for a 27-16 victory over the New York Jets. |
