The 15 Most Important Free Agent Signings in NFL History

NFL Free Agency opens on March 13^th this year, and with it comes a chance for each NFL franchise to drastically alter their fortunes. A blunder in free agency could set a team back for years, but a great signing could propel any team to the Super Bowl.

Throughout NFL history there have been some very important free agency signings. Players like Otto Graham, Warren Moon, Johnny Unitas and Dick LeBeau are all known to be legends of the past that were picked up in free agency and changed NFL lore forever.

In 1989 the rules of NFL free agency were altered into what is now used today. Since then, some of the greatest free agent signings in NFL history have occurred. These signings either made an irrelevant franchise relevant again, or allowed the franchise to take the next step in competing for a Super Bowl.

With that in mind, here are the 15 most important free agent signings in NFL history:

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Rod Woodson, Baltimore Ravens (1998)

Rod Woodson was a mainstay in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary for a decade before joining the Baltimore Ravens in 1998 after a dispute with Steelers’ management. Woodson fit in perfectly with the Ravens already impressive defense.

To say Woodson was a smart signing would be an understatement. In four seasons with Baltimore he recorded 307 tackles and 20 interceptions. His presence in the secondary was arguably just as important as the impressive front-seven with big names such as Ray Lewis and Tony Siragusa.

Woodson helped lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory in 2001 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009. His addition to the Ravens simply made the defensive unit unfair, and it showed in Super Bowl XXXV.

Deion Sanders, Dallas Cowboys (1995)

Deion Sanders won a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994 and decided to leave town in the aftermath. The winners of the “Deion Sweepstakes” were the Dallas Cowboys – to the tune of $35 million. Sanders proved to be worth the cost in every way imaginable.

In five years with the ‘Boys, Sanders had 159 tackles, 14 interceptions and scored a touchdown four times while returning punts. Add to that four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro nominations and Sanders proved why he deserved the nickname “Prime Time.”

Sanders’ most important contribution to Dallas was of course his huge role in the Cowboys’ Super Bowl XXX victory. His combination of offense and defense proved to be critical when it mattered most for the Cowboys.

Rod Smith, Denver Broncos (1995)

Rod Smith is the type of receiver every quarterback wants: Sure hands, explosive, virtually unstoppable in all aspects of the game. He also led a controversy- free career and was known to be a true professional. The fact the Broncos landed him 1995 is something that changed the NFL forever.

Rod played for the Broncos for 12 seasons piling up 11,389 yards receiving and 68 touchdowns. He was the favorite target of quarterback John Elway, and the duo combined to win back to back championships in Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII.

Smith had eight seasons of at least 1,000 yards receiving, and he racked up 152 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXIII. Smith is the perfect example of how one small free agent acquisition can change the course of NFL history forever.

Reggie White, Green Bay Packers (1993)

“The Minister of Defense” was the best defensive player in the league when he hit the open market in 1993. He decided to join the Green Bay Packers on a four year, $17 million deal and quickly became one of the best players in franchise history during the course of his six years with the team.

White racked up 68.5 sacks during his stay in Green Bay, good for second best in franchise history. He was the most important piece of the Packers’ defense when the team won Super Bowl XXXI. During the game, White set a Super Bowl record with three sacks.

Reggie White is easily one of the best free agent signings of all time. His contributions on and off the field allowed him to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. Not only is he one of the best free agent pick-ups of all time, he is one of the greatest players of all time.

John Randle, Minnesota Vikings (1990)

John Randle didn’t stand a chance in the NFL, at least according to most. Who could blame the majority? Randle measured in at 6’1” tall and 287lbs at the defensive tackle position, a position best known for 300+ pound behemoths that stuffed the run with ease.

But Randle changed the game once given the opportunity by Minnesota in 1990. He was signed for the free agent minimum and made the most of it. In 11 seasons with the Vikings, Randle established himself as the most feared pass-rusher in the NFL on his way to accumulating 114 sacks. He made the Pro Bowl seven times while in Minnesota, and was selected to the All Pro team six times.

Randle was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. He is the perfect example of the proverbial “diamond in the rough” that so many teams search desperately for in free agency. His career is indicative of just how vital the free agency period can truly be.

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (2006)

Drew Brees entered free agency as damaged goods in 2006. In the final game of the 2005 season Brees suffered a torn labrum on his throwing arm, and potentially had additional rotator cuff damage as well. As a result, the San Diego Chargers only offered him an incentives-based contract and the Miami Dolphins elected to make a move for Daunte Culpepper instead.

Brees took the guaranteed money in New Orleans to the tune of a six-year deal worth $60 million and proved to be worth every cent. With the Saints Brees has thrown for 28,394 yards and a ridiculous 201 touchdowns. Not to mention in 2011 alone he threw for an NFL record 5,476 yards with a .712 completion percentage, also an NFL record.

While the statistics are nice, Brees is one of the most important signings ever because of his Super Bowl XLIV victory where he threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns, earning him the Super Bowl MVP award. It was the first championship in Saints’ history, and the best part? Brees still has a lot left in the tank.

Curtis Martin, New York Jets (1998)

Curtis Martin entered free agency after suffering a Super Bowl XXXI defeat as a member of the New England Patriots. The New York Jets found themselves in dire need of a good running back and decided to sign Martin, which cost the team a first and third round pick in the NFL draft that year.

The cost - $36 million over six years was well worth it for New York. In eight seasons with the Jets Martin rushed for 10,302 yards and 58 touchdowns. He topped 1,000 yards in seven straight seasons with the Jets and was named to the Pro Bowl three times.

Most importantly, the Jets made the playoffs five times during Martin’s eight year tenure with the team. These appearances came on the back of Martin as he carried the team in every way imaginable into the postseason. In 2012 Martin was officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers (2004)

James Harrison played for the Pittsburgh Steelers twice. The first go-round in Pittsburgh resulted in him being cut. After stints in Baltimore and with the Rhein Fire, Harrison once again landed in Pittsburgh, and this time it was for good.

Harrison played himself into a starting role quickly and hasn’t looked back. To date he has 58 sacks and 542 overall tackles. He is known for his physicality and hard hits, and is easily one of the most feared players in the league.

Harrison is one of the greatest signings ever because he was a main cog in two Super Bowl victories for the Steelers in Super Bowl XL and XLIII. In XLIII Harrison returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown, good for the longest play in Super Bowl history. Not bad for a free agent who had trouble making practice squads early in his career.  

Deion Sanders, San Francisco 49ers (1994)

Only “Prime Time” can make a list twice. Deion Sanders joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1994 after having played five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. The one year deal cost the 49ers only $1.2 million, and it was worth it as Sanders had the best year of his career.

In that year Sanders intercepted six passes and returned three for touchdowns. One of his most memorable plays came when he returned to the Georgia Dome against his former team and took an interception back for a touchdown.

The biggest payoff for the 49ers came in Super Bowl XXIX. Sanders’ contributions had helped the team reach that point, and his skills allowed the team to win the big game once again. He intercepted one pass in the Super Bowl, and his 1994 campaign earned him the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Rich Gannon, Oakland Raiders (1999)

Rich Gannon had a relatively lackluster 11 year career before joining the Oakland Raiders as a free agent in 1999. The deal cost Oakland $16 million over four years. Gannon proceeded to thrive in the west coast offense the Raiders used and led the team to a Super Bowl appearance.

In six years with Oakland Gannon threw for 17,585 yards and 114 touchdowns. In 2002 Gannon had the best year of his career throwing for 4,689 yards and 26 touchdowns. His performance that year earned him the NFL MVP Award.

Gannon led the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII. Forget for a moment that he threw five interceptions in the loss. If it weren’t for him, the team wouldn’t have sniffed the big game. So while he played horribly, the fact they were there makes Gannon one of the better free agent pick-ups of all time.

Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams (1998)

Kurt Warner went from bagging groceries while playing in the Arena Football League to orchestrating “The Greatest Show on Turf” with the St. Louis Rams. The Rams picked up Warner in 1998 as a backup, but Warner was thrust into the starting role after Trent Green tore his ACL in a preseason game.

Warner played five seasons in St. Louis as the starting quarterback, and it was a magical ride. Warner threw for 14,447 yards and 102 touchdowns while leading the team to Super Bowl XXXIV where he was named the Super Bowl MVP.

Warner’s rag-to-riches story is a familiar one, and it yet again shows how important each and every free agent signing can be. Warner could have been picked up by any team as a backup and never given the opportunity to start. Instead, circumstance and free agency allowed Warner and the Rams to win a championship.

Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packers (2006)

Charles Woodson hit the free agent market after breaking his leg in the 2005 season as a member of the Oakland Raiders. Woodson had spent eight years in Oakland before signing with the Green Bay Packers in 2006 to the massive numbers of seven years and up to $52.7 million.

Woodson’s already spectacular career flourished while playing in Green Bay. To date he has 37 interceptions, nine of which have been returned for touchdowns. His knack for scoring after causing a turnover has given him the Packers’ franchise record for defensive touchdowns.

Woodson was an integral part of the Packers’ run in 2010 that resulted in a Super Bowl XLV victory. In the big game Woodson broke his collarbone before halftime but provided an inspirational half time speech that helped propel the Packers to victory.

Woodson is undoubtedly one of the greatest signings ever, and the Packers should be thankful they took a risk on him six years ago.

Simeon Rice, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2001)

Simeon Rice is one of the best all-time pass-rushers in NFL history, and he made that known during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After playing five seasons with Arizona, Rice signed with the Buccaneers in 2001 for five years and $34 million.

Rice’s stay in Tampa Bay lasted six years, and it was a productive stay. Rice terrorized opposing quarterbacks around the league while racking up 69.5 sacks and being a main cog in the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl run in 2002. Super Bowl XXXVII saw Rice record two sacks while leading the team to victory.

Rice was a big name when he hit the free agent market, and rightfully so. Tampa Bay paid the price and got exactly what they paid for. Sometimes a huge investment in free agency pays off, and in this scenario it couldn’t have played out any better.

Kevin Mawae, New York Jets (1998)

Kevin Mawae was a big addition to the New York Jets offensive line after the team experienced several abysmal years of production in that area. Mawae signed a five year, $16.8 contract, the highest for a center ever at the time. Prior to joining the Jets, Mawae spent four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks where he was an emerging star.

Mawae was an instant upgrade for the Jets, and allowed the team to have one of the most brutal running games for years. Mawae’s line paved the way for fellow list-mate Curtis Martin. His first season in New York saw the Jets average 357 yards a game, something that became a regular thing for Mawae and the line.

The Jets were smart to pick up a player like Mawae. He was not only an amazing player, but a durable one at that. He started an astounding 177 straight games in his career while being one of the most feared offensive linemen in the league.

James Farrior, Pittsburgh Steelers (2001)

In five seasons with the New York Jets, James Farrior was labeled a bust and allowed to walk in free agency. Big mistake. Farrior joined the Steelers in 2002 on a three year, $5.4 million deal and became one of the most productive, albeit quietest, linebackers in all of football.

In 10 years, Farrior has recorded 742 tackles and led the Steelers consistently elite linebacking corps. Playing middle linebacker for the Steelers is something that is typically highly scrutinized, but Farrior took it in stride and made it look easy.

Farrior was also a member of two Pittsburgh Super Bowl victories, one in Super Bowl XL with six tackles, and another in Super Bowl XLIII with eight tackles. Calling the plays for a decade in Pittsburgh while being a great leader makes Farrior one of the better free agent acquisitions of all time.