Defensive end Marcellus Wiley is now a Cowboy. John Lynch is soon to be an ex-Buccaneer.

A week after being released by San Diego, Wiley signed with Dallas on Thursday in hopes of living up to his reputation as one of the league’s more feared pass rushers. He got $16 million over four years, including a $4.5 million signing bonus. Lynch, meanwhile, said the Bucs turned down his offer to renegotiate his contract and gave him permission to seek a new team.

“I take great pride in the fact that in my career in the NFL … any success I’ve had is the result of my play, my passion for the game I love and the game I respect so much,” the 33-year-old, five-time Pro Bowl safety said. “Those values never changed in this process.”

Lynch probably will be released, although general manager Bruce Allen said the Bucs also would explore the prospect of a trade once Lynch decides where he’s like to play. The New York Jets and Indianapolis have expressed interest. Colts coach Tony Dungy used to coach the Bucs, and the Jets’ Herman Edwards, a former assistant in Tampa, is close to Lynch.

Wiley, who has 41 sacks in four seasons with Buffalo and three with San Diego, has his worst season last year with the Chargers. He had only three sacks after recording 13 in 2001.

Carolina released left tackle Todd Steussie, who played seven years for Minnesota and three for the Panthers.

Safety Donovin Darius, meanwhile, agreed to Jacksonville’s tender offer of $4.6 million for one year. The Jaguars had made him their franchise player, meaning that was the minimum offer they could make.

In other moves Thursday:

• Denver signed 34-year-old defensive end Marco Coleman, who played last season for Philadelphia, where had just a half-sack. He will be asked to help replace Bertrand Berry, who signed with Arizona after getting 111/2 sacks for the Broncos last season.

• Indianapolis re-signed quarterback Cory Sauter, guard Tupe Peko and linebacker Jim Nelson. Peko started all three playoff games at right guard.

• Pittsburgh, as expected, released running back Amos Zereoue, who began last season as a starter. He was made expendable when the team signed Duce Staley and re-signed Jerome Bettis.

The Steelers also released running back Dee Brown and allowed restricted free agent Rodney Bailey to go to New England, which signed the defensive end last week to $1.3 million offer sheet. In return, the Steelers get New England’s sixth-round pick in April’s draft.

• New Orleans re-signed veteran running back Lamar Smith to a one-year contract. The Saints signed Smith in late November after injuries left them thin in the backfield. Smith rushed for 61 yards on 11 carries in the final four games of the season. He is a former 1,000-yard rusher with Miami.

• Defensive tackle Paul Grasmanis signed a three-year contract to remain a Philadelphia Eagle. Grasmanis, 29, appeared in two games last season before tearing his Achilles’ tendon.

– The Packers re-signed linebacker Marcus Wilkins, a third-year pro was a backup and a special teamer last season.

AP-ES-03-11-04 2034EST