Report: Tyvon Branch, Oakland Raiders agree to four-year contract
The Oakland Raiders and safety Tyvon Branch have agreed to a four-year contract worth $26.6 million, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported Saturday on Twitter. The deal takes Branch off the Raiders’ franchise tag label.
As filed to @CBSSports.com, Raiders S Tyvon Branch agrees to 4 yr deal with team, getting off the franchise tag. Deal to be finalized today
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) July 14, 2012
The deal is worth $26.4M, with a max of $28M including incentives. He makes $16.1m in the 1st 2 yrs and $17.6M is Guaranteed (Huff got $15m)
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) July 14, 2012
The four-year deal — which is 66 percent guaranteed — allows Branch to hit the free-agent market before age 30.
In March, the Raiders used the franchise tag on Branch, which allowed running back Michael Bush to become a free agent. Bush eventually signed with the Chicago Bears as a sort of insurance for the Bears’ stalled negotiations with their own franchise player, Matt Forte.
Teams have until Monday at 4 p.m. ET to agree to long-term deals with their franchise players. On Friday, the New Orleans Saints and quarterback Drew Brees agreed to a $100 million megadeal. Forte, meanwhile, is “hopeful” on a new long-term deal with the Bears. Things aren’t as optimistic with the negotiations between the New England Patriots and their franchise player, wide receiver Wes Welker.
