For some time now, Cardinals QB Kurt Warner has claimed that he would rather retire if he is unable to reach an agreement with Arizona on a new contract, leaving close to $12 million a season on the table. The Cardinals don’t seem to care right now, staying quiet throughout the entire situation, but this new development may end up pushing them over the edge.

Apparently, Warner’s had a awakening of sorts, because he’s set to meet with officials in San Francisco later this weekend about a possible offer to switch his allegiance to the Cardinals division rival, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Granted, this could very well be a ploy to get Arizona to up the ante and give him the top five payday that he feels he deserves, but if San Fran offers Warner a bundle of cash to be their starting QB next season, it might be hard for him to turn it down. Then again, when he takes a look at what he’ll have to work with, he may decide that $12 million is more than enough to keep throwing the ball to Fitzgerald and Co in the desert for a few more years.

Either way, the Cardinals have to be unhappy with the way things are unfolding at the moment, as their starting QB could very well depart for a major competitor, leaving them in the completely unproven hands of Matt Leinart at quarterback.

This is a bit of a shocker out of Texas. According to the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys have signed LB Keith Brooking to a three year contract. Terms have not yet been disclosed.

Brooking is long time veteran of the Atlanta Falcons, and should provide much needed leadership in a Dallas locker room that was full of disputes and in-fighting last season.

His play on the field has declined in the past few seasons, but he could enjoy a rejuvenation of sorts under head coach Wade Phillips, who served as the Falcons defensive coordinator during Brooking’s formative years with the club.

4:15 pm: Quick update… NFL.com is reporting that Dallas sent CB Anthony Henry to Detroit in exchange for Kitna. This is a nice deal for both teams, as Henry gets an opportunity to start fresh with the Lions, while the Cowboys now have a proven backup for Romo next season.

2:30 pm: According to Adam Schefter (NFL.com), the Lions have traded QB Jon Kitna to the Cowboys. The compensation for the trade has not yet been determined, although it’s doubtful that it will end up being anything more than a low round pick this year or a conditional pick in next season’s draft.

It’s not exactly an earth shattering move, but it could prove to be an intelligent one by the Cowboys, as Kitna will bring a good amount of experience to the table QB Tony Romo is injured at some point this season.

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Vikings have agreed to terms with free agent tight end Jim Kleinsasser this afternoon. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Kleinsasser plays a pivotal role in Minnesota’s blocking schemes, and gives them an option to go to in the passing game when need be. He has spent his entire career with the Vikings after growing up just down the road in North Dakota, so it made sense for him to take what Minnesota was offering and stay close to home.

Houston snuck into the free agent conversation this afternoon, locking up DE Antonio Smith (Cardinals to a five year deal, worth approximately $35 million, according to Adam Schefter (NFL.com).

Smith boosted his stock as a free agent in a big way with a solid showing during Arizona’s surprising run through the NFC playoffs and into the Super Bowl. He’ll now pair with DE Mario Williams to form what should be a fearsome pass rushing duo in the AFC South.

When the free agency period started yesterday morning, it was highly doubtful that New Orleans would be able to keep OT Jon Stinchcomb in the fold, but after watching all of the top blockers sign off with other teams, the Saints made a quick move to lock him up.

Stinchcomb signed a five year deal to stay in the Big Easy, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. The actual dollar amount of the contract was not released.

This gives the Saints control over all 22 starters from last season’s squad, although it’s expected that they’ll still be busy in the coming days working on signing at least one more quality free agent to bolster they’re defense.

Denver has been one of the more aggressive teams so far this off-season, signing multiple players on both sides of the ball yesterday, in an effort to reshape a team that underachieved in a big way down the stretch last season.

Instead of calling it quits for the time being, the Broncos continued their push to completely revamp the franchise today, finalizing deals with safety Brian Dawkins (Eagles), DT Darrell Reid (Colts), and LB Andra Davis (Browns).

John Clayton (ESPN) is confirming all three signings, although terms of the Dawkins and Davis deals have not yet been released. Reid will receive a three year contract, worth $4.5 million.

Alex Marvez (FoxSports.com) is reporting that WR Brandon Jones has agreed on a five year deal with the 49ers, worth approximately $16.5 million.

Jones has spent the past four seasons with Tennessee. He had his best season statistically last year, catching 41 passes for 449 yards and one touchdown.

12:45 pm: Peter King (Sports Illustrated) is reporting that the Chiefs traded their 2nd round pick (#34 overall) to the Patriots in return for Cassel and Vrabel.

If this is true, the Chiefs will be hailed as the winner in this deal. A second round pick is nice, but getting an established QB coming off a tremendous season, along with a top notch veteran to lead their defense is just as good, if not better.

12:20 pm: One day after they made a surprising move to obtain LB Mike Vrabel from the Patriots, the Chiefs have once again found a willing partner in New England, trading for QB Matt Cassel.

The news was first reported by Adam Schefter (NFL.com). No details have yet emerged as to the compensation the Patriots will receive in return.

Things were wild and crazy yesterday, with free agents flying all over the country and signing left and right with new teams. We kept up with as much of the news as humanly possible (I’m only one man after all), but we had to take a break last night to recharge the batteries a bit before the weekend.

In our absence, there were a few more deals that went down as well as some other news from around the league, so instead of trying to recap each move 15 hours after the fact, we’re going to give you a quick rundown of all the latest moves and rumblings as of this morning.

Here’s what went down while we were away… enjoy!

• St. Louis took home the biggest prize on the offensive side of the ball, bagging center Jason Brown with a five year deal, worth $37.5 million

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4:55 pm: Pro Football Talk is reporting that a deal has been reached between Dawkins and the Broncos. PFT is citing a source from the San Francisco Chronicle on this one.

No word yet on the salary figures, but if this is true, Denver has certainly put the rest of the AFC West on notice with their moves today.

1:05 pm: The Broncos have been hustling around all morning, scheduling visits with anyone and everyone they feel could be of assistance in fixing their team this season, including Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins.

Adam Schefter (NFL.com) is reporting that Denver has lined up a face to face meeting with Dawkins, and could come away with Philly’s defensive heart and soul if they put forward a solid contract offer. Dawkins would immediately improve a porous secondary and give the Broncos the field general they’ve been lacking for quite some time.

According to Adam Schefter (NFL.com), the Broncos have agreed to terms with WR Jabar Gaffney and S Renaldo Hill. Both players signed four year contracts, worth approximately $10 million.

Gaffney will be a fourth option at receiver for QB Jay Cutler, while Hill should compete for a starting spot at safety.