The Pro Bowl quarterback was designated as the team’s franchise player Feb. 15. He signed the franchise tender yesterday.

Under rules of the collective bargaining agreement that expires at midnight tonight, a team must pay a franchise player the average of the top five salaries at his position. Vick would make an estimated $20 million.

Vick led the Eagles to a 10-6 record and the NFC East title after replacing an injured Kevin Kolb in Week 1. Despite missing three games with an injury, Vick had his best season. He set career highs in yards passing (3,018), touchdowns passing (21), touchdowns rushing (9), completion percentage (62.6), and passer rating (100.2).

Sanders, Jets meet Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, 32, will return to the Jets for the 2011 season, and safety Bob Sanders might be joining him, according to ESPN.com.

Sanders, 30, the NFL’s defensive player of the year in 2007, was released by the Colts last month. He has played in only nine games since 2007.

Colts president Bill Polian said he would like the oft-injured Sanders to return to Indianapolis, where he has played his entire seven-year career, although Sanders has been making the rounds, visting with the Jets yesterday and previously meeting with the Jaguars and Bills.

The Jets have made some big moves already this offseason, cutting veterans Kris Jenkins, Jason Taylor, and Damien Woody, and releasing former first-round pick Vernon Gholston, an Ohio State linebacker taken sixth in the 2008 draft, four spots ahead of Patriots All-Pro linebacker Jerod Mayo. Gholston did not have a sack in 45 regular-season games. The Jets also cut backup tight end Ben Hartsock.

The Jets also placed the highest compensation tenders — first- and third-round draft picks — on cornerback Antonio Cromartie and and receiver Santonio Holmes.

Packers release Hawk The Packers released linebacker A.J. Hawk after the former first-round pick was scheduled to earn $10 million in 2011.

Hawk was one of three players the Super Bowl champions let go, along with tight end Donald Lee and safety Derrick Martin.

Hawk was the fifth overall pick in 2006, playing in all 80 regular-season games since then with 77 starts.

Broncos cut Graham The Broncos have released nine-year veteran tight end Daniel Graham. He was a 2002 first-round draft pick of the Patriots after a standout career at Colorado and joined the Broncos in 2007. Graham’s play slipped last season, when he had 18 catches for 148 yards but dropped a number of passes . . . The agent for Haloti Ngata said the Ravens’ Pro Bowl defensive tackle has signed his $12.5 million, one-year franchise tender . . . The Panthers placed restricted free agent tenders on 14 players, including running back DeAngelo Williams, defensive end Charles Johnson, and quarterback Matt Moore . . . Running back D.J. Ware signed a contract extension with the Giants. Ware played in 14 games last season and had a team-high 20.6-yard average on 21 kickoff returns.