Bubba Franks get 7 years for $28 million deal

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Franks, Packers agree to seven-year, $28M dealBy Len Pasquarelli

ESPN.com

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Three-time Pro Bowl tight end Bubba Franks, absent from the Green Bay Packers during the entire offseason after declining to sign the one-year qualifying offer as a "transition" free agent, has reached agreement with the club on a seven-year, $28 million contract.

Bubba Franks

Tight End

Green Bay Packers

Profile

2004 SEASON STATISTICS

Rec Yds TD Avg Long YAC

34 361 7 10.6 29 129

Final details of the contract, which runs through the 2011 season, were expected to be completed Wednesday, with Franks likely rejoining the Packers in time for practice Thursday. It is unlikely the five-year veteran will play in the preseason game Friday night against New England.

Franks, 27, was the Packers' first-round choice in the 2000 NFL draft and signed a five-year, $6.5 million contract as a rookie. When that contract lapsed following the 2004 season, the Packers limited his mobility as a free agent by designating the former University of Miami star a "transition" player, with a one-year qualifying offer of $2.095 million.

Franks refused to sign the one-year deal and remained adamant about securing a long-term contract. Negotiations were ratcheted up in recent days and, on Tuesday night, the two sides agreed to the key financial elements of the contract.

The Packers, who had been offering a multiyear deal worth about $2.5 million annually before recently increasing their proposal, had struggled at the tight end position in camp and during the preseason.

A durable performer who has never missed a game, and who has started in 71 of his 80 appearances, Franks is a solid red zone receiver but is inconsistent. He has struggled with dropped passes during his career but still posted at least 30 receptions every year.

The 14th player chosen overall in 2000, Franks has 188 receptions for 1,729 yards and 28 touchdowns. His best season came in 2002, when he registered 54 catches for 442 yards and seven touchdowns, all career bests.

For a good but not great tight end not a bad deal- must have a good agent