Source: 2-year deal worth $7.25M


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ESPN.com news services
The Arizona Cardinals and former Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson have agreed to a two-year contract worth $7.25 million, a source told ESPN.com Wednesday.
The source said the deal includes $3.25 million guaranteed, and with incentives would max out at $18.25 million.
Anderson would compete with current Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart for the starting job.
Anderson was released by Cleveland on March 9, ending an uneven five-year stint with the team.
Anderson made the Pro Bowl in 2007 when he threw 29 touchdown passes and led the club to a 10-6 record.
Arizona's deal for Anderson came on the heels of free-agent quarterback Charlie Whitehurst telling San Diego Chargers management earlier Wednesday that he will sign a one-year restricted free-agent tender offer. The development will allow the Chargers to begin trade talks on his behalf, a source told ESPN.com's John Clayton.
Whitehurst has indicated he prefers to go to Seattle, according to a source; at one time, Whitehurst, who is a restricted free agent with third-round compensation, was considered a possibility to connect with the Cardinals. Because the Seahawks don't have a third-round choice, the Chargers and the Seahawks would have to work out a trade.
Whitehurst, who hasn't thrown a pass in a regular-season game following a collegiate career at Clemson, will be a significant acquisition for the Seahawks. Matt Hasselbeck will be the Seattle starter, but once Whitehurst reaches a multiyear agreement for better-than-backup money, he could be viewed upon as the quarterback for the future.
Information from ESPN.com's James Walker and John Clayton, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and The Associated Press is included in this report.


Derek Anderson agrees to 2-year deal with Arizona Cardinals - ESPN