The deal includes a $12.5 million signing bonus, agent Drew Rosenhaus told The Associated Press.
Shields, 26, was among top cornerbacks on the 2014 free-agent market, and his contract is huge for a player who entered the NFL undrafted out of Miami (Fla.). According to NFL.com, the Packers will shell out $15 million on the first season. And the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the contract would make Shields the team's highest-paid cornerback.
The news was somewhat of a surprise, the Journal Sentinel reported. Shields' handlers fully expected to ply the market because they weren't close on terms with the team.
NFL teams began discussion contracts with pending free agents on Saturday, but no agreements can be announced before Tuesday between players and teams they didn't play for in 2013.
While Shields wasn't viewed among the best corners available, according to Journal Sentinel sources, he had great upside.
To amplify: Shields "probably has the best speed and as much potential as anyone else available this offseason," according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
LIONS OWNER DIES
William Clay Ford Sr. bought the Detroit Lions in more than 50 years ago. During that time, his team never won an NFL championship.
The last surviving son of auto magnate Henry Ford will be remembered for a long, difficult stewardship of the team. Reports from Detroit, including via Twitter from TV station WDIV, indicated Ford died in his sleep Saturday night. He was 88.
Team president Tim Lewand confirmed Ford's death to NFL.com's Albert Breer.
"No owner loved his team more than Mr. Ford loved the Lions," Lewand said in a statement on the team website. “Those of us who had the opportunity to work for Mr. Ford knew of his unyielding passion for his family, the Lions and the city of Detroit.
“His leadership, integrity, kindness, humility and good humor were matched only by his desire to bring a Super Bowl championship to the Lions and to our community. Each of us in the organization will continue to relentlessly pursue that goal in his honor.”
Management of the team had passed to his son, Bill Ford Jr., in recent years.
Born in Kansas City, Mo., and the son of Edsel Ford, he was a Navy veteran of World War II.
Ford bought the Lions for $4.5 million in 1963. While the team's value skyrocketed, it couldn't recapture its prominent place achieved with NFL titles in the 1950s.
The nadir came under the failed management of Matt Millen.
JETS RELEASE CROMARTIE
The Jets are starting over at cornerback and are expected for formally release veteran Antonio Cromartie.
Cromartie was lined up for a $5 million bonus and even more importantly, accounted for a $15 salary cap hit.
Cromartie announced his pending departure on his Twitter account Sunday.
The Jets are believed to be interested in Titans free agent cornerback Alterraun Verner.
MENDENHALL RETIRES
He’s 26, healthy and still quite good at football. Yet, Rashard Mendenhall is done.
A writer at heart, he’s ready to compose the next chapter in his novel of life and that chapter does not include football. Good for him.
The Arizona Cardinals’ running back gets to do what few can: walk out on his own terms, full of hope and void of regret.
In an open letter written for the Huffington Post, Mendenhall simplifies it for those who may wrestle with the idea of quitting the NFL and leaving millions of dollars on the field. It’s not complicated: “Football was pretty cool, but I don’t want to play anymore. I want to travel the world and write!”
He mentions that he has played football since he was 10 years old in pee-wee. From Niles West to two Super Bowls. That’s a lot of football travels, a lot of friendships and fun along the way.
Throughout the time, he saw, as we all do, that football isn’t all fun and games. It’s sport, yes, but also entertainment.
He writes: “But I am not an entertainer. I never have been. Playing that role was never easy for me. The box deemed for professional athletes is a very small box. My wings spread a lot further than the acceptable athletic stereotypes and conformity was never a strong point of mine.”
But when it came to football, he fit in wel l— and excelled. From 2008-2013, including a 2012 season shortened by a torn ACL, he rushed for 4,236 yards and 37 touchdowns. He spent every year with the Pittsburgh Steelers until last season, when he played for Cardinals and rushed for 687 yards on the ground and eight scores.
He has gotten all he wanted out of football, and he’s fully prepared — and eager — to move on with his life, even at the young age of 26.
He adds: “My focus has always been on becoming a better me, not a second-rate somebody else.”
VIKINGS, GRIFFEN AGREE TO DEAL
Two people with direct knowledge of the deal tell The Associated Press that Minnesota defensive end Everson Griffen has agreed to terms on a five-year contract to stay with the team.
The people spoke to the AP on Sunday on condition of anonymity because the Vikings haven't announced the deal.
The NFL free agent signing period starts on Tuesday. Griffen's contract is worth up to $42.5 million and he's guaranteed $20 million, the people with knowledge of the deal said.
The Vikings also agreed on a one-year contract with middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley, according to another person with direct knowledge of that deal. That person also spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Vikings haven't confirmed the agreement. Brinkley played for the Arizona Cardinals last season.
Contributors: Rana L. Cash, The Associated Press
