Great/Terrible Deals from Day 1 of NFL Free Agency

Here's a quick breakdown of the good and the bad from the opening day of free agency in the NFL:

Great: Bears sign TE Martellus Bennett to a four-year, $20 million contract — Chicago gets a vastly underrated all-around tight end for a relatively fair deal. As long as Bennett plays the way he did in 2012 with the Giants, this will pay off for the Bears. 

Terrible: Bears sign OT Jermon Bushrod to a five-year, $36 million contract — I realize that this team really needs a top-tier left tackle and that this is a nice upgrade, but that kind of long-term commitment to Bushrod is a little ridiculous. I'd rather pay a little more for Jake Long, injury concerns or not.

Great: Eagles sign CB Bradley Fletcher and S Patrick Chung — Both defensive backs didn't get enough respect in their previous homes. They're both only entering their prime years and do the little things well. That'll be huge for the Philly defense. Expect both to start Week 1.

Terrible: Browns sign LB Paul Kruger to a five-year, $41 million contract — And half of that money is reportedly guaranteed, which is just insane. Every damn year, teams grossly overpay Super Bowl champion players. Kruger won't be the same in that Cleveland defense.

Great: Colts sign G Donald Thomas and CB Greg Toler — Both should become key players, and both are 28 or younger. They were underrated, and they probably came at decent prices. 

Terrible: Colts give OT Gosder Cherilus and LB Eric Walden a combined $50 million — At least Cherilus will help that horrendous offensive line, but that's a lot of money for a right tackle who isn't really in the top tier. I don't think giving him $10 million guaranteed is unforgivable, but there are so many right tackles on the market. As for Walden, what the hell? Wouldn't Dwight Freeney have stuck around for a similar price? I just don't get what they see in him. Pro Football Focus rated him as the worst 3-4 outside linebacker in football last year.

About Brad Gagnon

Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com (covering Super Bowls XLIV, XLV and XLVI), a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Bloguin, but his day gig has him covering all things NFC East for Bleacher Report.

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