March 5th, 2010

Nate Burleson Agreement: $5 Million 5 Year Contract with Detroit Lions.  NFL wide receiver and free agent Nate Burleson was expected to stay with the Seattle Seahawks. Instead, the NFL star agreed to a $5 million 5 year contract ($11 million guaranteed) with the Detroit Lions.

Many are surprised that Burleson decided to go to the Detroit Lions. However, the wide receiver is going to be reunited with his defensive coordinator, Scott Linehan, from Minnesota.

The football star was a free agent for only two hours before signing with the Lions.

So why is the star leaving Seattle? A new administration came in to the NFL team and didn’t pick up negotiations where their predecessors left off. There was a gap between what Nate wanted and what Seattle was willing to give – but Nate claims that his market value was validated through the offer with Detroit.

Burleson had 63 catches for 812 yards – the best season yet since his 2004 season with the Vikings.  Linehan was his defensive co-coordinator at the time, and many Lions fans are hoping that when the two pair up again the result will be a better season than they have had in the past.

In addition to the acquisition from Seattle, the Lions also picked up former Tennessee Titan defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch. His contract is worth a reported $26 million for four years, with $10 million doled out this year.

Source:
Detroit Free Press

Seattle Seahawks Blog