After rampant speculation Friday that all-pro CB Nnamdi Asomugha had winnowed his list of new NFL employers to the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys, a third team intercepted him.
The Philadelphia Eagles swooped in to sign Asomugha to a five-year deal right after the free agent market officially opened at 6 p.m. ET Friday evening.
He will earn up to $60 million over the life of the contract with $25 million guaranteed.
The news came as a stunner given the Eagles' acquisition of Pro Bowl CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on Friday as part of the Kevin Kolb deal.
Asomugha also turned 30 earlier this month, and the Eagles traditionally faze out skill players at that age rather than grant them long-term pacts. But it's indicative of the special talent he is, a Pro Bowler the past three years and first-team all-pro twice in that period. Santana Moss, Hakeem Nicks, Dez Bryant and Miles Austin are not likely to be the least bit happy about Asomugha's transition to the NFC East.
He was recently ranked the 18th-best player by his peers in NFL Network's The Top 100 Players of 2011; the Jets' Darrelle Revis, whom many thought was on the verge of being Asomugha's teammate this week, was the only corner ranked higher at No. 8.
The Cardinals also entered the Asomugha bidding late according to FOXSports' Jay Glazer.
His arrival casts the future of Asante Samuel, Philly's other Pro Bowl corner, into doubt.
More eyebrows are certain to be raised as well given Eagles Pro Bowl WR DeSean Jackson is currently holding out of camp, unhappy with the $565,000 he's due to make in the final year of his rookie deal.
Jackson did offer a tweet of support to Asomugha (both are former Cal Bears): "CONGRATS TO MY BIG BRO 21 NNAMBI ASOMUGHA FOR BECOMING A EAGLE!!"
As for speculation surrounding Jackson's unsettled situation or other issues the team could be facing in the coming days, the Eagles were content to bask in Friday's haul.
"All those questions are for another day," said Eagles GM Howie Roseman on Friday night.
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