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WASHINGTON -- Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell agreed
to a seven-year, $43 million deal with the Washington Redskins late
Thursday, clearing the way for a trade next month. Brunell will receive an $8.6 million signing bonus, according to
agent Leigh Steinberg, who wrapped up several weeks of negotiations
with Redskins owner Dan Snyder. Brunell is expected to displace Patrick Ramsey as the starter,
giving Joe Gibbs the veteran he sought in the coach's first season
back in Washington after an 11-year retirement. "Mark and Joe Gibbs have been talking every day, sometimes
multiple times," Steinberg said. "Mark's comfort level and
excitement level with coach Gibbs has grown every day. He became
convinced throughout the process that the ability to play for a
Hall of Fame-caliber coach that had been to four Super Bowls was
unique and too good to pass up." The deal cannot become official until the offseason trading
period begins March 3. The Redskins will give the Jaguars a
third-round draft pick for Brunell, according to a source familiar
with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity. Redskins director of player personnel Vinny Cerrato declined
comment. Brunell became Jacksonville's starter in the franchise's
inaugural season in 1995. He threw for 25,698 yards and 144
touchdowns over nine seasons. He became expendable when rookie
Byron Leftwich emerged as the starter last season. Brunell had one year left on his contract and was due to count
$10.5 million against the salary cap this year -- including a $2
million bonus due March 3. The Jaguars were expected to cut him
before paying the bonus, but the Redskins expressed interest in a
trade during Super Bowl week. The Jaguars will not have to pay the bonus because the new
contract will supersede Brunell's old one, Steinberg said. At least three other teams -- Miami, San Diego and Dallas -- also
expressed interest in Brunell, but the Jaguars allowed him to
negotiate only with the Redskins. Gibbs flew to Florida to meet
with Brunell on Feb. 9. Brunell wanted to go where he could start and maintained he
didn't want to become part of a quarterback controversy, although
that could happen in Washington. Ramsey has become a popular player
in his two years with the team, and his agent recently suggested
Ramsey might request a trade if Brunell were signed. Gibbs has said
he has no intention to trade Ramsey. Steinberg did not say Brunell received any guarantees from Gibbs
about the starting job. "Obviously Mark's been a starter since 1995 and is confident of
his ability to lead a team," Steinberg said. "But he looks
forward to the ability to compete for a starting job in training
camp."
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