NEW YORK — The NFL’s business season began with a bang. Several actually: trades, retirements and, yes, even some big free agent moves.

It wasn’t until mid-evening Tuesday that the first huge star took advantage of free agency: Darrelle Revis returning to the Jets for five years and $70 million.

There were plenty of moves beforehand involving frequent All-Pros. But they were in the form trades or leaving the sport altogether.

Monster deals sent Saints tight end Jimmy Graham to Seattle and Rams quarterback Sam Bradford to Philadelphia. San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis, plagued by sore feet, announced his retirement. So did injury-prone QB Jake Locker of the Titans, who spent just four seasons in the league.

The biggest shocker was the Graham deal, which sent Seahawks center Max Unger to New Orleans, along with a first-round draft pick. Seattle also got a fourth-rounder.

Not quite so stunning but certainly newsworthy was St. Louis sending Bradford, the top overall draft pick in 2010, to the Eagles for quarterback Nick Foles.

The injury-prone Bradford barely has played the past two years because of a torn ACL. Foles also comes off an injury-shortened season (collarbone).

Foles is the latest starter to depart Philadelphia. He joins two-time All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy, now in Buffalo, and Pro Bowl wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, headed for Kansas City, in going elsewhere.

Philadelphia also added Seahawks starting cornerback Byron Maxwell as a free agent with a six-year deal. And Seattle brought in cornerback Cary Williams, formerly of the Eagles and a 2012 Super Bowl winner with the Ravens.

Several other trades became official Tuesday.

Baltimore dealt nose tackle Haloti Ngata to Detroit, which is about to lose All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in free agency. Ngata, 31 and a five-time Pro Bowler, is due $8.5 million next season and has a $16 million salary cap figure.

The Jets also confirmed a previously agreed upon trade, getting receiver Brandon Marshall from Chicago for a fifth-round draft pick. They released WR-KR Percy Harvin, whom they acquired last season from Seattle.

Also Tuesday:

Carolina released DeAngelo Williams, its career rushing leader.

Frank Gore, the 49ers’ career rushing leader, joined the Colts as a free agent. But the 49ers added WR Torrey Smith.

Linebacker A.J. Hawk, who grew up in Ohio and attended Ohio State, agreed to terms with Cincinnati on a two-year deal. Hawk spent his first nine seasons in Green Bay.

Jacksonville, with lots of salary cap room, grabbed tight end Julius Thomas away from Denver among a slew of moves.

Arizona got probably the best run blocker in this year’s group, guard Mike Iupati, who agreed on a five-year, $40 million contract.