Tuesday's NFL free agency transactions

The Ravens are paying the price for winning a Super Bowl.

The NFL champions lost two key components of their defense, linebackers Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe, as free agency began Tuesday.

On Monday, they traded star receiver Anquan Boldin, a key to their title run, to San Francisco — the team Baltimore beat 34-31 to win the title.

Kruger went north to division rival Cleveland for a five-year, $40 million deal, while Ellerbe headed south to Miami for $35 million over five years. The Dolphins also agreed to terms with wide receiver Mike Wallace on a five-year, $65 million deal, ESPN.com reported.

The 49ers didn't go untouched, either. After giving up a sixth-round pick for Boldin, they saw tight end Delanie Walker leave for the Titans.

San Francisco also confirmed the trade of backup quarterback Alex Smith to Kansas City. The 49ers will receive the Chiefs' second-round pick, 34th overall, in this year's draft and a conditional pick in next year's draft.

Boldin, 32, expressed surprise he was traded.

"I thought this was the last stop of my career but regardless of the circumstances I came here to win a Championship ... and in February we came home Champions," he wrote on Twitter.

Ellerbe also tweeted as he took his talents to South Beach.

"Just wanna take time to THANK GOD for being in this position I'm in! Before I make da BIGGEST DECISION in my life I just wanna thank him!!!" Ellerbe wrote on Twitter.

Kruger led the Ravens with nine sacks and added 2-1/2 in the playoffs and two in the Super Bowl. The Raves did sign former Giants defensive end Chris Canty.

Teams also made cuts Tuesday. The biggest were Ryan Fitzpatrick in Buffalo and Nnamdi Asomugha in Philadelphia.

Fitzpatrick, the Bills starting quarterback, was released 11/2 years after getting a six-year, $59 million contract extension. For now, the Bills No. 1 quarterback is Tarvaris Jackson.

Cornerback Asomugha, who two years ago got a five-year, $60 million contract, $24 million guaranteed, left Oakland as a free agent for Philadelphia. He was scheduled to make $15 million next season, with $4 million guaranteed.

Earlier, Tony Gonzalez changed his mind and decided to return to the Falcons.

The NFL's career leader among tight ends with 1,242 receptions and 103 touchdowns said he was 95 percent certain he would retire after 2012, but the other 5 percent won out.

Hours before free agency began, Gonzalez tweeted:

"The lure of being on such a great team and organization, along with unbelievable fan support was too good to pass up."

Also Tuesday:

Defensive end Will Smith and linebacker Jonathan Vilma, both implicated in the Saints bounty scandal, agreed to restructure their contracts to remain with New Orleans.

Minnesota finalized the trade of receiver Percy Harvin to Seattle, released 14-year veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield and re-signed right tackle Phil Loadholt. The Seahawks are sending their first-round and seventh-round picks this year plus their third-round selection in 2014 for Harvin.

Tennessee agreed to terms with Buffalo guard Andy Levitre and San Francisco tight end Delanie Walker.

Levitre, one of the top offensive linemen on the market, got a six-year deal worth nearly $47 million. He will replace Steve Hutchinson, the former Michigan star who announced his retirement Tuesday.

"Retiring today after a great run in the NFL," Hutchinson wrote on Twitter. "Want to thank the @Seahawks, @Vikings, @TennesseeTitans and their fans for the opportunity."

Pittsburgh re-signed linebacker Larry Foote (Michigan) and wide receiver Plaxico Burress (Michigan State).

The Raiders cut two former first-round picks, receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and safety Michael Huff.

The Bears agreed to a five-year, $36 million contract with left tackle Jermon Bushrod.

Denver agreed to terms with guard Louis Vasquez.

Tight end Martellus Bennett agreed to a four-year contract with the Bears, leaving the Giants after one season. Defensive tackle Henry Melton signed his franchise tag tender at $8.45 million.

Cincinnati re-signed defensive ends Robert Geathers and Wallace Gilberry.

Houston cut wide receiver Kevin Walter (Eastern Michigan).

Carolina cut linebacker James Anderson, a seven-year veteran who set a franchise record in 2011 with 174 tackles.

San Diego released 11-year veteran tight end Randy McMichael and signed kicker Nick Novak to a four-year contract.

The Jets cut nose tackle Sione Po'uha and restructured the contract of wide receiver Santonio Holmes.

Dallas linebacker Anthony Spencer signed a one-year, $10.6 million tender.