Update: Houshmandzadeh has apparently chosen to sign with the Seattle Seahawks, agreeing to a 5 year deal reportedly worth $40 million ($15 million guaranteed).
Update: It looks like the Bengals are making a late push to retain Houshmandzadeh. The Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting that
The Bengals have been in discussions with McGuire and have an offer on the table higher than the deals of Plaxico Burress (five years, $35 million with $11 million guaranteed) and Hines Ward (five years, $33 million).
The Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting that the Vikings and Seahawks are both offering three-year deals, with Seattle offering a couple million more per season than Minnesota .
Free agent wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh is apparently NOT going to make a decision where to sign tonight. Reports out of Cincinnati had previously stated the wideout, who recently visited Seattle and is currently in Minnesota, was weighing offers from the Bengals, Seahawks, and Vikings and would inform the Bengals of his intentions tonight.
However, the Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting that a text message from Houshmandzadeh’s agent stated that an announcement would not be made tonight.
A text message to T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s agent asking if he still expects a decision tonight was greeted with a one word response.
“No,” agent Kennard McGuire wrote.
So it looks like a decision likely won’t come until tomorrow. Houshmandzadeh is going to spend the night in the Twin Cities and consider contract offers from the Vikings, Bengals and Seahawks. Presumably there will be an announcement tomorrow.
The fact that the Pro Bowl receiver is remaining in Minnesota for the night would seem to be an indication that he’ll sign with the Vikings but no deal is ever done until they’ve signed on the dotted line.