Before free agency even started, many players were on the trade/cut block. Notable players like Davante Adams, D.K. Metcalf, and Cooper Kupp were all subject to be moved this off-season. They all did end up moving, with Adams being released from the Jets and signed for the Rams, Kupp being released from the Rams and signed for the Seahawks, and Metcalf being traded from the Seahawks to the Steelers. Speaking of the Seahawks, they have had the most interesting off-season so far. After going 9-8 for the third season in a row and missing the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row, the Seahawks did something unexpected, and they blew up the offense. Star WR D.K. Metcalf requested a trade, pro-bowl QB Geno Smith was shipped off to the Raiders to reunite with his old coach in Pete Carroll, and Seahawks legend Tyler Lockett was released. However, instead of the Seahawks entering a rebuild, like many thought when they made these moves, they ended up retooling, as they signed 2021 OPOY and former triple-crown winner Cooper Kupp to a 3-year, $45 million dollar deal, and QB Sam Darnold, who had a career revival this past season with the Minnesota Vikings, to a 3-year, $110 million dollar deal. The Seahawks also signed former Cowboys and pro-bowl defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence. They now look to enter in a new era of Seahawks football, building the team around young stars such as WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the RB duo of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, and the corner duo of the athletic Riq Woolen, and the hard-hitting young star in Devon Witherspoon.
This free agency has been massive for resetting the market, with multiple players becoming the highest paid at their position. This occurred for three separate positions, with Bengals superstar WR and runner-up for OPOY Ja’Marr Chase getting a 4-year, $161-million dollar deal, the DE market got reset twice, with all-pro and superstar Raiders DE Maxx Crosby getting a 3-year, $106.5 million extension, Browns superstar Defensive end and former DPOY Myles Garrett getting a 4-year, $160 million dollar deal, and finally, the Corner market got reset twice, with star Panthers CB Jaycee Horn getting a 4-year, $100-million dollar deal, and superstar Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. getting a 3-year, $90-million dollar deal. Not to mention, Cowboys superstar linebacker/edge hasn’t received his long overdue extension yet, and will likely become the highest paid player in his position when he does receive it.
As for the free agents themselves, many of them got massive contracts, with the first major news being edge rusher Hasson Reddick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year, $14 million contract. The Bucs also re-signed WR Chris Godwin, who was heavily linked with the New England Patriots, to a 3-year, $66 million deal. Shortly after, the Commanders, coming off of its first NFC Championship appearance in over 30 years, signed DT Javon Kinlaw to a 3-year, $45 million contract. Many have considered it to be a bit of an overpay, but only time will tell. A few deals followed suit, with Raiders LB Robert Spillaine signing with the New England Patriots, and Nickel CB Jourdan Lewis signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Then, the New York Giants made a splash signing in the secondary, signing Saints star Corner Paulson Adebo to a 3-year, $54 million contract. Steelers Tackle Dan Moore Jr. got a bag, signing a 4-year deal with the Titans worth $82 million. The Patriots then signed CB Carlton Davis to a 3-year, $54 million deal, and tackle Morgan Moses to a 3-year, $24 million contract, continuing their rapid bolstering of the roster. Jets CB DJ Reed signed with the Lions on a 3-year, $48 million contract. Then, the Patriots, after already adding 4 free agents up to that point, signed Eagles Defensive Lineman to a massive 4-year, $104 million deal, the biggest in free agency thus far. Then, Raiders safety Trevon Moehrig signed a 3-year, $51 million deal with Carolina. DT Poona Ford signed with the Rams on a 3-year, $27.6 million deal. Then, after constant links, the Jets signed QB Justin Fields to a 2-year, $40 million deal, reuniting him with WR Garrett Wilson, who both played at Ohio State together. Once Fields signed with the Jets, a run of high-value free agents followed suit. Vikings safety Cam Bynum signed with the Colts on a 4-year, $60 million contract. Almost right after, Colts DE Dayo Odeyingbo signed with the Bears on a 3-year, $48 million deal. Then 49ers Safety Talanoa Hufanga signed with the Broncos on a 3-year, $39 million contract, adding to an already stacked defense. The Cardinals decided to make a splash in the Edge department, signing Eagles Edge Josh Sweat to a 4-year, $76.4 million contract. Chicago proceeded to continue bolstering the defensive line by signing Falcons DT Grady Jarrett to a 3-year, $42.5 million contract. Their division rivals, the Packers, then signed 49ers Guard Aaron Banks to a 4-year, $77 million contract, creating one of the scarier offensive lines in the league. Speaking of offensive lineman, one of the best offensive linemen in Texans Tackle Laremy Tunsil was traded to the Commanders for pick #79 in the 2025 NFL draft, a 2026 2nd round pick, a 2026 4th round pick, and a 2026 7th round pick; Washington also got pick #127 in the 2025 NFL Draft. Ravens CB Brandon Stephens signed a 3-year, $36 million contract with the Jets to replace DJ Reed. Raiders CB Nate Hobbs signed with the Packers on a 4-year, $48 million contract, as a potential replacement for Jaire Alexander, who’s name has been in plenty of rumors, trade talks, and potential cuts this off-season. 49ers Linebacker Dre Greenlaw signed with the Denver Broncos on a 3-year, $31.5 million contract, reuniting with Hufanga once again. Then, 49ers CB Charvarious Ward signed with the Colts on a 3-year, $54 million contract. The 49ers lost many players of quality this off-season, and may have to look to rebuild. Steelers RB Najee Harris signed with the Chargers on a 1-year, $5.25 million contract. Jaguars Safety Andre Cisco signed with the Jets on a 1-year, $10 million deal. Many free agents also resigned with their teams in the off-season, such as DE Chase Young going back to the Saints on a 3-year, $51 million contract, star Corner Byron Murphy going back to Minnesota on a 3-year, $54 million deal, and WR Darius Slayton returning to the Giants on a 3-year, $35.55 million contract, among others. That was pretty much everything major that happened on Day 1 of Free agency.
Day 2 of free agency kicked off with Commanders DT Jonathan Allen signing with the Vikings on a 3-year, $51 million deal. Then, the New York Giants continued to bolster their secondary signing star Dolphins safety Jevon Holland to a 3-year, $45 million contract, creating one of the scariest defenses on paper. The Vikings continued their spending in free agency, adding Colts Guard Will Fries by signing him to a 5-year, $88 million contract. Then, former Giants QB Daniel Jones signed with the Colts on a 1-year, $14 million contract. Super Bowl winner and Eagles Safety Chauncy Gardner-Johnson and a 2026 6th round pick was traded for Kenyon Green and a 2026 5th round pick. Defensive end Leonard Floyd signed with the Falcons on a 1-year, $10 million dollar deal. Chiefs Safety and 2x Super Bowl champ Justin Reid signed with the Saints on a 3-year, $31.5 million deal. Former all-pro WR DeAndre Hopkins signed with the Ravens on a 1-year, $5 million deal. The last somewhat major deal on day 2 was Joey Bosa to the Bills on a 1-year, $12.6 million contract. Day 3 had 49ers DT Javon Hargrave sign with the Vikings on a 2-year, $30 million contract and Jaguars TE Evan Engram sign with the Broncos on a 2-year contract worth $23 million. Also, former all-pro and Eagles Corner Darius Slay was released by Philly and he signed a 1-year, $10 million contract with the Steelers, and the Seahawks signed former Cowboys Defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence to a 3-year, $32.5 million contract. Past that, free agency died down for the most part. However, some notable signings were made, such as Eagles Guard and Super Bowl champion Mehki Becton signing with the Chargers on a 2-year, $20 million contract, former all-pro and Texans WR Stefon Diggs signing with the Patriots on a 3-year, $69 million contract, and Steelers QB Russell Wilson signing with the Giants on a 1-year, $21 million contract. Jets QB and 4x MVP Aaron Rodgers was heavily linked to the Steelers and Giants, but still hasn’t signed a deal with either of them. However, with Russell Wilson signing with the Giants, he will probably sign with the Steelers at some point.
Free agency is always an interesting time in the league. Some fans like it, others don’t. Regardless, Free agency can provide players a new chapter in their career, give insight on what future moves could be made, and create drama and headlines.
