NFL

According to ESPN’s John Clayton, Julius Peppers’ six-year deal with the Bears is worth a record-setting $91.5 million. Clayton reports that Peppers could make even more if he hits escalators based on Pro Bowls, sacks, and Defensive POY honors. He’s guaranteed $42 million, which is a league record. Peppers is now the highest-paid non-QB in football. Chicago promised to come out spending, and has delivered.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Miami: Dolphins signed ILB Karlos Dansby to a five-year, $43 million contract, including $22 million guaranteed. Dansby, 28, gives Miami exactly what it set out this offseason to acquire: play-making ability. A fumble-forcing, tackling machine with underrated cover and blitzing skills, Dansby is a do-it-all inside linebacker. He’ll take over as the Dolphins’ “Ted” ILB next to “Mike” Channing Crowder. The deal is the richest ever for a linebacker whose main duty isn’t to rush the passer, but Miami Dolphins is looking for someone to help right away.

New York: Giants signed FS Antrel Rolle to a five-year, $37 million contract that includes $15 million guaranteed. The  Giants had to upgrade their safety position, but of all the free agent signings so far, we like this one least. Rolle has fine ball skills and range, but has never made a Pro Bowl, tackled poorly last season, and often seems to be out of position. In a perfect world, the New York Giants would team him with SS Kenny Phillips to form an imposing safety duo. Phillips’ future is cloudy, however, as he recovers from microfracture knee surgery.

Miami: Dolphins re-signed QB Chad Pennington to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. The deal includes a “trade bonus” that would add $1.515M to Pennington’s 2010 pay should he be dealt away before October’s trade deadline. The 34-year-old is recovering from the third throwing-shoulder surgery of his career, but the Dolphins value Pennington as a veteran of OC Dan Henning’s system and mentor to Chad Henne. Henne will not face competition to start.

Green Bay: Packers re-signed LT Chad Clifton to a three-year, $20 million contract. The deal includes $7.5 million guaranteed.

Houston: Texans re-signed WR Kevin Walter to a five-year, $21 million contract. And the Jacoby Jones hype train comes to a screeching halt. Though he was dealing with a hamstring injury, Walter managed just 53 grabs for 611 yards (11.5 YPC) and two scores last year as mostly a third or fourth offensive option. We wouldn’t expect too much more out of him in 2010. Jones could begin to rotate in, Owen Daniels will return, and the Houston Texans are likely to be at least slightly less pass heavy after drafting a competent tailback in April.

New England: Patriots signed NT Vince Wilfork to a five-year, $40 million contract. The deal includes $25 million guaranteed. He got an $18 million signing bonus. The oft-frugal Patriots really ponied up here, showing just how much Wilfork is worth as the anchor of their 3-4 system despite being a two-down player. Wilfork, 28, has a good shot to fulfill the deal because nose tackles tend to last longer than most positions and he’s shown no signs of decline. Wilfork is now the second highest paid defensive tackle in the league, behind only Washignton’s Albert Haynesworth.

Baltimore: Ravens acquired WR Anquan Boldin and a 2010 fifth-round pick from the Cardinals in exchange for third- and fourth-round picks in this year’s draft. Boldin signed a four-year, $28M contract upon completion of the trade. While Joe Flacco is doing cartwheels, it’s unclear what this means for free agent Derrick Mason. If the Ravens can get three years of 1,000-yard play from Boldin, it’s a steal of a deal. Boldin, 29, has topped the mark in all but two of his seven seasons and remains a high-scoring wideout with 24 TDs in his last 39 games.

Atlanta: Falcons agreed to terms with CB Dunta Robinson on a six-year contract. Atlanta wasn’t happy with its CBs a year ago, and rightfully so. The club had one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses. Robinson is now signed through his age-33 season. While he’s not been a true playmaker since a six-pick rookie year, Robinson is a solid cover man with excellent range. The Texans thought enough of him to place a franchise tag on Robinson in 2009, guaranteeing him nearly $10 million. He instantly becomes the Falcons’ top cornerback.

Cleveland: Browns signed KR Josh Cribbs to a new three-year, $20 million contract, including $7.5 million guaranteed. Cribbs’ restructured deal trumps Devin Hester’s with a $6.3 million annual average, assuming he hits the incentives. Kickoff/punt return specialists like Cribbs don’t have especially long shelf lives, so the Browns were smart to keep his guaranteed money in the sub-$10 million realm and only commit to Cribbs through 2012. Cribbs also is a highly productive gunner on special teams and an offensive threat as Cleveland’s Wildcat quarteback.

Tennessee: Restricted free agent LenDale White is unhappy with the Titans’ second-round tender, and is asking the team to expand his role or trade him. “I backed up greatness,” LenDale said, referring to 2,000-yard rusher Chris Johnson. “But now that’s over. It is time for me to start somewhere. I want to be a starter in the NFL, not a backup.” Asked if he wants a trade, White said he “would definitely be interested.” White is likely available for the right pick compensation, but the Titans don’t seem to have any urgency to move him.