New Orleans sign Franchise Player to MEGA-Bucks

In a somewhat surprising move today, Adam Schefter on the NFL network says the New Orleans Saints reached an agreement with free-agent defensive end Charles Grant on a seven-year contract worth up to $63 million, including $20 million of guaranteed money.

Grant will make $24 million over the first three years of the deal and $35 million over the first five.

Grant was initially upset that he was slapped with the franchise tag, but his faith in second-year coach Sean Payton as well as the new build foundation of the team motivated him to continue working on an extension.

Grant did take a visit to the Bucs but no deal was ever made.