NFL free-agency flips — Who changed course on where to sign, from Antoine Winfield to Za’Darius Smith

The contract was printed out and ready to be signed. Star cornerback Antoine Winfield was about to become fabulously wealthy as a new member of the New York Jets, but then his phone buzzed and everything changed.

In March 2004, Winfield staged one of the most memorable free-agent flips in NFL history. After being wined and dined by team brass, he returned to the Jets’ facility the next day to sign a six-year, $30 million contract. There was an agreement in principle, and the team was planning a news conference to show off their blockbuster addition.

Except …

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Tice, also recruiting Winfield, refused to be defeated. He arranged for a private jet to pick up Winfield at a small airport about 20 minutes from the Jets’ facility on Long Island. The jet was owned by one of Tice’s friends, Mike Pegram, who owned 1998 Kentucky Derby winner Real Quiet. The next day, Winfield signed with the Vikings for $34.8 million over six years.

Suddenly, the Jets were real quiet.

You know the old saying: A deal isn’t a deal until the contract is signed. In the past few days, at least three players agreed to terms with one team only to sign with another — pass-rushers Randy Gregory and Za’Darius Smith and running back J.D. McKissic.

Free agency has changed. Gone are the free-agent tours across the country — the meet, greet and eat era. Everything moves quickly now, with agents and teams finalizing deals soon after the opening of the so-called legal tampering period. They skip the steak dinners and just talk turkey. Actually, they talk before the rules allow, the league’s worst-kept secret.

NFL Nation digs in on some notable free-agent flips and how it worked out for both the spurned team and the new one. — Rich Cimini

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