It’s not a Drew Brees deal, but it’s a deal.
According to Jason LaCanfora of CBSSorts.com, the Raiders and franchise-tagged safety Tyvon Branch agreed to a four-year contract Saturday. LaCanfora reports the deal will be finalized today.
Branch had signed his $6.2 million tender and worked out with the team through the offseason, and his was seen as one of the least contentious of the tag issues around the league this year.
Monday’s the deadline for tagged players to get a long-term deal, or else they’ll have to play under their one-year tenders. Branch becomes the ninth of the 21 tagged players to get a deal this year, following Brees’ mega-deal yesterday.
(UPDATE: 11:43 a.m.) Steve Wyche of the NFL Network reports the deal is worth $26.6 million over four years, with $17.1 million guaranteed.