The unofficial kickoff to the NFL free agency period has arrived with the start of the legal tampering period, allowing players with expiring contracts to begin negotiations with other teams around the league.
This 52-hour window allows players to finalize deals through negotiations before making things official at the beginning of free agency, through the opening day of contract talks, numerous high-caliber players have moved to a myriad of teams across the league.
These monumental deals are slowly shaping the expectations of the new season on the horizon and once again igniting the excitement and anticipation of what this NFL campaign could bring.
Running Back Relocations
A backfield blitz has taken off across the league as multiple world-class running have already swapped allegiances. These high-profile ball carriers will be looking to help their new teams hit the heights they never could with their previous franchises, with many holding Super Bowl-sized ambitions.
Saquon Barkley
While Saquon Barkley is arguably the biggest name on the move, he certainly drew in the biggest contract. The Philadelphia Eagles are set to sign the New York Giant on a three-year contract worth close to £30 million. This marriage seems like a no-brainer for both sides with Barkley producing astounding numbers with a less-than-ideal Giants team. With arguably one of the best offensive lines in the league, Barkley’s production could see season bests this campaign as the Eagles find themselves with one of the most dangerous and dynamic offenses in the league once again.
Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts will form an exceptionally potent rushing duo, with the added dimension of utilizing Barkley as a receiver more frequently than the Giants may have done in past seasons. Eagles’ General Manager Howie Roseman has previously opted for cost-effective running backs, but this time, he’s breaking the bank. Barkley’s acquisition signals a departure from bargain-bin strategies, indicating the Eagles’ serious intention of elevating their status to Super Bowl contenders once again.
D’Andre Swift
As a Philadelphia Eagle in the previous season, Swift was able to put up career numbers. Now, moving to the Chicago Bears, the 25-year-old running back will hope to build on his Pro Bowl-level production seen in Philadelphia the past season. While the Bears’ offensive line is a bit far off from the talent he was able to utilize in Philadelphia, Swift will hope to contribute to an up-and-coming Bears offense slowly being pieced together by new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. This will be an interesting move to watch play out in the new season as Swift cost the Bears a pretty penny on a 3-year contract worth upwards of £20 million with £12 million guaranteed.
Tony Pollard
The former Dallas Cowboy saw his production drop in the previous season, paving the way for Pollard to seemingly take Derrick Henry’s spot in the Tennesee Titans lineup on a deal worth £19 million across three seasons. This seems like a solid pickup for the Titans who felt it unnecessary to hand Henry the massive deal he is searching for. With second-year running back Tyjae Spears taking on a bigger role than expected in his rookie season, the Titans begin the year with a formidable backfield duo with added pass-catching value in Pollard.
Josh Jacobs
Simply a brilliant move for all sides involved, Josh Jacobs makes the Packers a much scarier team for their opposition moving into the start of the 2024-25 season. With both Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon set to depart the Packers this season, the Green and Gold needed to go out and secure a solid backfield option in a volatile running back market. They did exactly that, tying the former Raider down to a four-year deal worth £38 million. The Packers are a young and exciting team and only get better with the addition of the All-Pro back. After a number of failed attempts in the previous season trying to sign a new backfield option, the Packers have finally found their man in Josh Jacobs.
Aaron Jones
After being released from the Packers to make room for former Raider running back Josh Jacobs, the 29-year-old quickly found a new home in Minnesota. As a direct rival to Green Bay, this one may sting Packers fans around the country. The Vikings have locked Jones down to a one-year deal worth £5.5 million, a seemingly low fee for a high upside back. It will be interesting to see how the Vikings’ offensive season unfurls with new QB signing Sam Darnold at the helm, arguably one of the best receiving duos in the league in Justin Jefferson and second-year Jordan Addison, top TE TJ Hockensen, and now RB Aaron Jones.
Austin Ekeler
The final massive name in a list full of them, Austin Ekeler saw career lows in a difficult final season with the Chargers. He found a new home in Washington, hoping to turn his fortunes around and help pull the Commanders to a possible first win in the playoffs since 2005. This will be a tough ask as the new running back, on a two-year £9 million deal, will need to have a special season to help Commanders fans’ dreams come true.
Joe Mixon
After failing to get their top guy in Saquon Barkley, the Texans looked to one of the next best options in a recently released Joe Mixon. Mixon, who has spent his career at the Bengals, is moving to a young and hungry Texans team in need of some more veteran leadership. He will line up behind ROTY C.J. Stroud and in an offense that includes an elite WR duo in Nico Collins and Tank Dell. With the addition of Mixon, the Texans are showing serious signs of their ambition in the sport, hoping to contend for what could be a Super Bowl season for the Houston team.
Derrick Henry
After being replaced by Tony Pollard, Derrick Henry looked to the Baltimore Ravens, signing a two-year, £12.5 million deal worth up to £15.7 million with £7 million guaranteed. The former Titans ball carrier has been one of the league’s best running backs for multiple seasons, posting Pro Bowl stat lines year in and year out. He will look to continue his production behind one of the league’s best offensive lines. Henry adds to an already great offense, with reigning MVP Lamar Jackson at QB and a couple of great weapons out wide in Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews. The Ravens are preparing to push for the Super Bowl again, coming up just short last season in the Conference Championship to the eventual Super Bowl winners the Kansas City Chiefs.
Quarterback Craze
A few Quarterbacks are already on the move with teams willing to truly break the bank to grab what they hope is a chance at the coveted Super Bowl trophy. Massive names have traveled across the country to find new homes in teams they hope will better suit their large ambitions.
Kirk Cousins
The Atlanta Falcons were in massive need of an upgrade at QB after a shaky year from 2022 third-round pick Desmond Ridder. While the 24-year-old was helping this young Falcons team to a possible playoff berth after a five-season playoff drought in Atlanta, things went horribly wrong across the course of the last five games. Losing four of their last five and being blown out by the Saints in their final game of the season was a bad look for the team as a whole. However, Ridder was part of the problem with a disappointing 2,836 yards with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a team capable of much more. Kirk Cousins can be the man to finally take this team to the promised lands (and maybe even more).
Cousins has signed on to a monumental four-year £142 million contract with £78 million guaranteed. As the best free-agent QB this year, he warranted a massive price tag with the Falcons hoping they will be repaid in league and playoff wins. However, as a 35-year-old coming off of an Achilles tear, there is a lot of risk involved with such a massive deal. Though, with the addition of Cousins, the Falcons offense becomes one of the premier offenses in the league. With second-year first-round pick Bijan Robinson hoping to build upon an impressive rookie season and the solid receiving core of Drake London and Kyle Pitts, Falcons fans should be excited for the season to come.
Russell Wilson
The former Bronco has landed in the Steel City for the veteran minimum on a one-year contract. With Wilson still on the Broncos’ payroll, Pittsburgh is able to get away with a minuscule contract and a solid starting QB. A massive upgrade for the Steelers, Wilson should be able to link up to TE Pat Freiermuth and breakout star WR George Pickens really well. The Steelers could be a fun offensive team to watch this season as they finally have a worthy replacement for signal caller “Big Ben” Roethlisberger.
A Few More QB Swaps
Mac Jones has found a new team in the Jacksonville Jaguars, backing up Trevor Lawrence in a Jacksonville group that he has really made his own over the last few years. Unfortunately, Jones did not find his rhythm at the Patriots, finding it difficult in New England and now riding the bench for Doug Pederson’s Jaguars.
The Patriots have replaced the 2021 15th overall pick with veteran Jacoby Brissett. On a one-year deal worth £6.3 million, Brissett doesn’t break the bank. However, he provides a solid option at the beginning of what looks like a team rebuild for new head coach Jerod Mayo following the retirement of Bill Belichick this past season.
Over in New York, the Jets have signed Tyron Taylor. The former Giant has moved to his city rivals in what looks like a solid move for both parties. With Aaron Rodgers looking to come back next season, Taylor is a solid backup option for the team. In a few cities south of New York, Washington has signed Marcus Mariota to a one-year £4.7 million contract that should see him in the mix with whichever QB the Commanders most likely draft.
To fill the hole that Kirk Cousins left, the Vikings have decided to take a shot with Sam Darnold, signing him to a one-year £7.8 million contract that will most likely have him as the starter in the position. With receiving weapons in Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson, and Jordan Addison as well as being backed up by Aaron Jones, it’s shaping up to be an interesting year in Minnesota.
The Best of the Rest
Although much of the news circulating around free agency thus far has been focused on the RB and QB market, there have been some great switches on the other side of the ball as well. Both defensive changes and other attacking changes alike have been just as prominent so far this year.
Jerry Jeudy (WR)
A 2024 fifth and sixth-round pick are heading to the Broncos in exchange for their star WR Jerry Jeudy. The Browns add Jeudy to an already formidable offense. Deshaun Watson will have a number of stars to throw to next season with Cleveland hoping that this is the piece of business that will put the Browns into Super Bowl contention heading into next season.
Jonathan Greenard (DE)
An elite defensive end, Greenard would make a great addition to any team and Vikings’ fans should be happy he signed with their team. However, this elite edge rusher comes at a hefty price tag demanding a four-year contract worth £59.5 million with £32.9 million guaranteed. His production on the Texans in the previous season was immense, garnering 12.5 sacks, 22 QB hits, and 52 total tackles. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores should be able to ensure that Greenard maintains the level of production the Vikings bought him for. And, if he does, the Vikings signed a fantastic player for a very fair price.
Gabe Davis (WR)
The former Buffalo Bill is signing for the Jaguars, another great move for both sides of the equation. Gabe Davis’ 16.6 yards per reception was the sixth-highest in the NFL last season, making him a dangerous player for an already solid offense. He signed to Jacksonville on a three-year deal worth £30.5 million, taking £8.6 million of that at signing. With his addition to the team, Jags fans should be seriously excited for this upcoming season with the possibility of making a deep run into the playoffs, maybe even pushing all the way.
Christian Wilkins (DT)
The Las Vegas Raiders have signed one of the premier defensive tackles in football, costing them a whopping £86 million deal with £66.4 million guaranteed across four years. This monster contract has been thoroughly earned by Wilkins, posting a 2023 stat line of 65 total tackles, nine sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. This only solidifies an already great defense in Vegas. However, many more problems glaringly present on the other side of the ball still need to be handled before this team can be named as a real contender.
Bryce Huff (DE)
The Eagles’ pass rush was poor last season, causing the rest of the defense a lot of issues and contributing to the historic collapse seen in the second half of the campaign last year. Huff, signed to a three-year contract worth £40 million, should be the beginning of fixing these problems for Philly. He posted a great stat line of 10 sacks, 33 pressures, and 29 total tackles for the Jets in 2023 and, if the Eagles can hang on to Hassan Reddick, will contribute to one of the best pass-rushing duos in the sport.
Robert Hunt (G)
The Panthers needed to get their young QB Bryce Young protection, and this signing certainly helps. Although the contract worth £78.4 million across five years seems to be a lot, it was a move that needed to be made if the Panthers wanted to do any better than being one of the worst teams in the league this upcoming season. This signing only fixes a very small part of the problem for the Panthers offense though.
Xavier McKinney (S)
McKinney had a number of suitors this free agency as he is the top available player in the position. The Packers will be happy to have penned the safety to a four-year deal worth £53.3 million. McKinney is a very young talent at 24 and will slot in extremely well with the rest of the young team around him. The Packers seem to be building something pretty special in Green Bay and this is a signing that pushes them forward in the right direction. McKinney will slot in next to star CB Jaire Alexander, giving the Packers the bragging rights of holding two of the highest-paid players in their respective positions.
Reaction
This has probably been one of the most interesting starts to a free agency that the NFL has seen in recent years. Heaps of talent have decided to head off to new teams and new challenges with the goal for each one remaining the same, win the Super Bowl. A lot of these teams now seem to have a great chance at really pushing for that Super Bowl goal and, with this free agency, it seems like this upcoming NFL season could be one for the history books.
