Douglas Gets Rich Pact

Free agency wouldn’t come to the Philadelphia Eagles, so the Eagles went to free agency, signing newly acquired defensive end Hugh Douglas to a six-year, $25 million contract Monday.

“They’re paying him like a free agent,” said agent Drew Rosenhaus, who stole the show at a news conference scheduled since Friday, when the Eagles acquired Douglas from the New York Jets for second- and fifth-round picks in next month’s NFL draft.

Douglas had one year left on his four-year deal with the Jets. He would have made $700,000 for 1998 and been eligible for unrestricted free agency. Instead, Douglas will make $5 million in bonuses plus an additional $2 million in salary this season.

The Dallas Cowboys have re-signed free agent defensive end Broderick Thomas to a one-year contract.

Wide receiver and special teams player Keith Crawford and offensive lineman Matt Elliott, both free agents, have agreed to two-year contracts with the Atlanta Falcons.