The St. Louis Rams got the left tackle they set out to land in free agency.

Jake Long, who was pursued by multiple teams into the evening, ultimately decided to head to St. Louis, agreeing to a four-year contract that can be worth as much as $36 million, according to Jarrett Bell of USA Today.

The Miami Dolphins hoped to retain long and the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to reports, also got into the action. But Long wound up going to the team he spent three days visiting last week. Negotiations dragged on and the Rams finally got the player they sought to protect the blind side of Sam Bradford.

Of course, it’s not nearly what Long received when he was the No. 1 overall pick in 2008. That contract included $30 million guaranteed from the Dolphins.

“We wanted to add a good, veteran pass-blocker and run-blocker who could add something special physically and spiritually to our room," Rams general manager Les Snead said.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune