TAMPA, Fla. — Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Warren Sapp agreed to terms on a seven-year, $36.6 million contract with the Oakland Raiders on Saturday, ending his nine-year relationship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"The bad news is I won't be back with the Bucs," Sapp said by telephone from Miami. "The good news is I'm a Raider."
The surprise move came only a day after Sapp's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said the one-time NFL defensive player of the year was close to signing a four-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sapp's contract is expected to be signed within the next few days, pending the passing of a physical, the Raiders said.
"Warren Sapp is another popular player to join the organization just like a Jim Plunkett, a Rod Woodson, and a Jerry Rice," Raiders spokesman Artie Gigantino said.
Sapp will receive a $7 million signing bonus. He earned $6.6 million last year in the final season of a six-year, $36 million contract he signed in 1998.
Earlier this month, the 31-year-old tackle said he was optimistic about the prospect of re-signing with the Bucs. But that changed when his old team failed to make him an offer during the first week of the free agency period.
"We feel he's got a lot of football left in him and will make a positive contribution to the Oakland Raiders' defense the next couple of years," Gigantino said.
In other NFL news:
The Minnesota Vikings signed free-agent punter Darren Bennett to a two-year contract. Bennett, a two-time Pro Bowl selection in nine seasons with San Diego, is expected to replace Eddie Johnson. The deal was reached late Friday night.
The Baltimore Ravens re-signed linebacker Adalius Thomas to a three-year contract. Thomas spent the latter part of the 2003 season on injured reserve after undergoing elbow surgery.
Safety Mike Logan has signed a three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are trying to shore up their unsteady secondary.