Carolina, which fell 24-10 to Denver in the Super Bowl, meanwhile retained All-Pro fullback Mike Tolbert and re-signed defensive end Charles Johnson to a lower salary Wednesday.
"Competition is the central theme of the program and the way he plays, man, does he represent that," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said.
Johnson has played nine seasons with Carolina and his 63? sacks are second most in franchise history, behind Julius Peppers' 81.
The Dolphins released cornerback Brent Grimes and finalized a trade to acquire cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso from the Eagles. Philly sends the 13th overall choice in April's draft and gets the eighth overall selection.
"While we did offer a very competitive and fair long-term contract to Brock, we ultimately had to remain disciplined while continuing to assemble a roster that can compete for championships."
Tolbert also said he accepted fewer bucks to return to Carolina.
"It was very difficult," Osweiler said about leaving Denver. "I'd be lying to you if I said anything else. I had a tremendous four seasons there in Denver and those are four years that I'll always hold close to my heart. But bottom line coming to Houston was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up."
Alex Mack left Cleveland and DeMarco Murray was traded to Tennessee. Mike Tolbert remained in Carolina.
"You have bumpy roads," said Williams 31. "We all do. There's nobody that can go out there and have a smooth path that is perfect. But I can honestly say that road is still going. We haven't hit the end in the road, and that's what gives me so much excitement."
In a flurry of shuffling and staying put, NFL free agency began Wednesday.
—The Giants significantly strengthened their porous defense by adding DT Damon Harrison from the Jets and CB Janoris Jenkins from the Rams.
"My heart was in Carolina," he said. "Once you put all that energy into it, I feel like I would have been wasting all that work had I gone somewhere else for some dollars. I'd rather be happy doing what I'm doing around people that I know, and I'm comfortable with. I can't wait to get back to work."
All-Pro running back Martin re-signed with the Buccaneers for five years. Center Mack chose Atlanta over Cleveland in other major moves.
—Linebacker Rolando McClain is returning for a third season in Dallas. The 26-year-old McClain got one year at $5 million. He also has been with Oakland and Baltimore,Cheap NFL Jerseys.
Brock Osweiler left Denver. Doug Martin remained in Tampa.
Mack, 30, opted out of his deal with the Browns and gets five years from the Falcons, who have had instability at center since longtime starter Todd McClure retired following the 2012 season.
Headed to Miami was DE Mario Williams, and his signing after being released by Buffalo led to the Dolphins removing the transition tag from Olivier Vernon, who then agreed to terms with the Giants. The transition tag was for $12.734 million; Williams got $17 million over two years from Miami.
Johnson, cut last week, received a one-year contract worth $3 million to return to the NFC champions, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. He said Johnson turned down an offer in excess of $6 million from another team.
And the Super Bowl winner lost its second quarterback in less than a week,NFL Jerseys Cheap, while the loser of the big game held on to two key performers.
San Diego also agreed to terms with Seattle DT Brandon Mebane, S Dwight Lowery and WR-KR Travis Benjamin.

Johnson was a mainstay in Houston for 12 years, making two All-Pro teams. But he was a disappointment with the Colts in his only season in Indy with 41 catches for 503 yards and four touchdowns. He caught 1,053 passes for 14,100 yards and 68 touchdowns, often as the only true receiving option for the Texans.
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"We've stayed true to our philosophy of building a team of players who want to be Denver Broncos and want to be here. That's been a successful approach for us," general manager John Elway said.
—Jacksonville agreed to terms with Cleveland safety Tashaun Gipson and Jets running back Chris Ivory.
The top player at his position on the market, Martin will get more than $35 million, with $15 million guaranteed, from the Buccaneers. Martin, 27, has had two outstanding seasons with the Buccaneers and two injury-filled years. In 2015, he rushed for 1,402 yards, second in the NFL, and six touchdowns. His 4.87-yard average was the highest in team history.
—Tight end Benjamin Watson,China Jerseys Cheap, coming off a productive season in New Orleans, joined Baltimore.
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