Grading 2025 NFL Free-Agency Signings and Trades for Day 1 of Tampering Period
The madness is officially underway—sort of.
NFL teams can’t officially sign most free agents until the new league year starts on Wednesday. But as of noon ET Monday, the “legal tampering” period is underway. Teams can speak to the agents for pending free agents and agree to terms on contracts.
Not that the NFL was going to wait even that long. Sunday evening featured a flurry of activity, including a few big cap casualties finding new homes quickly and a trade in Seattle that continued the team’s offensive overhaul.
Over the days to come, dozens of players will find new homes. Others will re-sign with their old teams. And approximately eleventeen bajillion dollars will be spent.
As the free-agency feeding frenzy unfolds, Bleacher Report has you covered with updates and grades for all the latest comings and goings.
Which teams got great value? Who is headed down Boondoggle Boulevard? Read on to find out.
QB Sam Darnold Signs with Seahawks
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The biggest domino of free agency at the game’s most important position has fallen. A few days after dealing Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Seattle Seahawks have their new signal-caller.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Seattle has agreed to terms on a three-year, $100.5 million deal with Sam Darnold, including $55 million in guarantees. Darnold led the Minnesota Vikings to 14 wins last year while finishing fifth in the NFL in both passing yards and touchdown passes.
The 2024 campaign was far and away the best season of Darnold’s seven-year career. It's fair to wonder about the 27-year-old’s ability to replicate that success, particularly after the Seahawks agreed to trade star wide receiver DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
But if Darnold can come close to last season’s production, then signing him for less than $35 million per year could be viewed as one of 2025’s best free-agent values.
Grade: A-
QB Justin Fields Joins New York Jets
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Sam Darnold wasn’t the only big-name quarterback who found a new home Monday.
It’s no secret that the New York Jets plan to move on from Aaron Rodgers when the new league year starts Wednesday. But Gang Green wasted no time finding his replacement.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Jets have agreed to sign Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract with $30 million in guarantees. The 26-year-old spent the 2024 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he won four of six starts.
Fields averaged a career-low 110.6 passing yards per game last season. But he remains a dangerous scrambler, as evidenced by his five scores on the ground in Pittsburgh.
The Jets had to do something at quarterback. Depending on how this year’s draft pans out, they might miss out on the top rookie prospects under center. Even if either of Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders falls to them, having Fields on the roster as a bridge option isn’t a bad idea, especially at just $20 million per season.
Grade: A
DT Grady Jarrett Gets Let Go and Picked Up in One Day
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Grady Jarrett had himself a Monday.
It didn’t start out so well—after a decade in Atlanta (including two Pro Bowls), the 31-year-old defensive tackle was released by the Atlanta Falcons. However, Jarrett may have set a record for the shortest time out of work in the NFL. Just a few hours later, Jarrett had already agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the new deal is $43.5 million over three years, with $28.5 million guaranteed.
If only we could all get “fired” like that, am I right?
Jarrett admittedly isn’t the player he once was, especially rushing the passer—after logging six sacks in 2022, the 6’0”, 288-pounder has just four sacks over the past two years combined. But Jarrett remains a steady veteran presence and plus run defender who eclipsed 50 total tackles with the Falcons in 2024.
Grade: B-
S Jeremy Chinn Joins the Las Vegas Raiders
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Jeremy Chinn joined the Washington Commanders last year as a young player looking to resurrect his career.
It wound up being just a one-year stint, but Chinn accomplished that goal.
After tying a career high with 117 total tackles, Chinn is headed west—NFL Network reported (via Yahoo Sports) that Chinn got $16 million over two seasons to replace Tre'von Moehrig with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Chinn doesn’t quite have Moehrig’s versatility (being miscast in roles that didn’t suit him played a large part in his falling out of favor in Carolina), but Chinn is an excellent run defender. What he’s not is great in coverage—Chinn has a passer rating against of over 130 each of the past two years.
That’s the downside for the Raiders. The upside is that Chinn will cost about half what Moehrig got per season.
Provided that the team schemes properly around him, he’s not a bad replacement at the back end of the defense.
Grade: B
OG Patrick Mekari Gets 3-Year Deal from Jaguars
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Last year, Patrick Mekari had his coming-out party with the Baltimore Ravens. Mekari started all 17 games, and, per Pro Football Focus, the 6’4”, 305-pounder allowed just a single sack all season.
That performance earned Mekari a big bump in salary, albeit with a new team. As reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Mekari will be headed south after signing a three-year, $37.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. $20 million of the contract is guaranteed.
It’s not a deal without at least some risk—last year was Mekari’s first as a full-time starter, and he was far better in pass protection than run blocking.
But at 27 Mekari is in the prime of his career, the Jaguars needed to strengthen the interior of the offensive line, and while the notion of paying a guard this kind of money used to be scoffed at, that’s no longer the case.
Any time you can land one of the better free-agent OL without spending a fortune, it’s a win.
Grade: B
Buffalo Bills Sign WR Joshua Palmer
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It feels like we have been waiting for wide receiver Joshua Palmer to “break out” for years. That breakout never materialized in Los Angeles.
But the Buffalo Bills seemingly believe it’s still in there somewhere.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bills and Palmer agreed to terms on a three-year, $36 million contract. The 25-year-old Palmer caught 39 passes for 584 yards and one touchdown last season with the Chargers.
Talent doesn’t appear to be an issue with Palmer. It’s been a combination of injuries and the lack of consistent targets.
Given the state of the wide receiver corps in Buffalo (and the fact that this deal likely precludes Amari Cooper’s return), the latter shouldn’t (in theory) be an issue in Buffalo. And while Justin Herbert is no slouch at quarterback, he’s also not Josh Allen.
But it still feels like a Bills team that didn’t roll into free agency with a large war chest could do better than giving $12 million per year to a player who has had 600 receiving yards one time in four seasons.
Grade: D+
Chicago Bears Add Edge-Rusher Dayo Odeyingbo
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After an eight-sack 2023 campaign, edge-rusher Dayo Odeyingbo saw his production in that category tail off considerably in 2024. But that down year didn’t scare off the Chicago Bears.
They rolled up into his driveway with a truck full of money anyway.
Per ESPN, the Bears and the 25-year-old Odeyingbo came to terms on a three-year, $48 million deal that includes $32 million in guarantees.
It’s a nice jackpot for Odeyingbo—but a questionable move by the Bears. Yes, the team needed to get better on the edge opposite Montez Sweat. But even if Odeyingbo does bounce back to 2023 levels, $16 million a season smacks of paying too much for fear of being frozen out of a shallow pool of edge-rushers.
Josh Sweat had 2.5 sacks in Super Bowl LIX alone—almost as many as Odeyingbo had in 17 games. Sweat got just over $3 million more a season.
To be fair, Odeyingbo's pressure numbers were much better than his sack total in 2024. But now the Bears have a pair of high-priced edge-rushers who struggled to turn those pressures into sacks last year.
Grade: D+
LB Dre Greenlaw Headed to Denver Broncos
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Dre Greenlaw played just 34 snaps for the San Francisco 49ers last year as he recovered from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Super Bowl LVIII. But that lost season didn’t stop the 27-year-old from cashing in as a free agent.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Greenlaw agreed to terms Monday with the Denver Broncos on a three-year, $35 million contract.
It’s not difficult to see why the Broncos would have interest in the hard-hitting seventh-year veteran. The Denver defense was excellent last season, but Alex Singleton missed most of 2024, Cody Barton signed with the Tennessee Titans, and the depth chart behind that pair isn’t imposing.
The question looming over this deal is Greenlaw’s health. He barely played last year before being shut down, and it’s not unheard of for players to never quite be the same after an Achilles tear.
If the Broncos get the Greenlaw who shined next to Fred Warner in the Bay Area, this isn’t a bad deal at all.
But there’s no guarantee they will.
Grade: C+
Packers Nab CB Nate Hobbs
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It looks like the Jaire Alexander era in Titletown is over.
At least that’s the speculation of ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who reported that the Packers signed free-agent cornerback Nate Hobbs to a four-year, $48 million contract. Hobbs, 25, spent the first four seasons of his professional career with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Hobbs is primarily a slot corner, although he also has considerable experience outside. He’s a stout run defender as well, as evidenced by his 86 total tackles two years ago.
Durability has been an issue with Hobbs—he hasn’t played in more than 13 games since his rookie year. He has also had his share of issues in coverage, posting a passer rating against of over 90 in three of four seasons.
$12 million a season isn’t a bad amount for a solid starting cornerback in the NFL, but that’s closer to Hobbs’ ceiling than his floor.
And if his injury issues persist in his new home, this contract won’t age especially well.
Grade: C
Panthers Sign DT Tershawn Wharton
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Over the first five seasons of his professional career, Tershawn Wharton did a lot of winning—he played in and won multiple Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Wharton won’t be doing as much winning moving forward.
But he may be buying a boat.
According to Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer, Wharton agreed to terms with Carolina on a three-year, $45.05 million contract. The deal could be worth up to $54 million, with just over $30 million in guarantees.
It’s a fairly simple calculus for player and team. Wharton already has multiple Super Bowl rings, and now he has a fat bag of cash with which to buy a display case for them. The Panthers were putrid defensively last year and need to add talent at all three levels—badly.
Carolina just has to hope that Wharton can back up last year’s 6.5 sacks after logging just seven over his first four seasons combined.
Grade: B-
Colts Sign S Camryn Bynum
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The Colts apparently saw the secondary as a major area of need in 2025—because the first day of the legal tampering period saw Indianapolis throw a whole bunch of cash at a pair of defensive backs.
As reported by Christopher Gates of the Daily Norseman, sources indicate that Indianapolis signed former Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum to a four-year, $60 million contract.
The 26-year-old Bynum came into his own as a player back in 2023, racking up a whopping 137 total tackles and adding a pair of interceptions. His tackle numbers were down a year ago, but Bynum still flirted with 100 stops and picked off three passes.
Bynum is admittedly an expensive upgrade over Julian Blackmon, but he’s an upgrade, nonetheless. And his versatility will be appreciated by new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who likes safeties capable of playing both deep and close to the line of scrimmage.
Grade: B
CB Charvarius Ward Signs with Colts
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Bynum was just the beginning of Indy’s spending spree on the back end of the defense. As Schefter reported, the Colts also gave veteran cornerback Charvarius Ward a three-year, $60 million contract that includes $35 million in guarantees and a $20 million signing bonus.
Ward spent the last three years in San Francisco, making the Pro Bowl with the Niners in 2023. However, the 28-year-old’s 2024 campaign was a forgettable one—Ward missed five games and gave up a bloated passer rating against of 116.6.
Given the terms of this deal. It appears the Colts are confident that Ward’s down 2024 was related more to injury than performance. If that’s the case, he should be a quality addition to an Indianapolis defense that ranked 26th in the NFL last season.
But giving a guy coming off arguably the worst season of his career $20 million a season is a risky play.
Grade: C
Texans Trade OT Laremy Tunsil to Commanders
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Well, it wouldn’t be free agency without a curveball or two—and very few folks expected a Texans team that made the playoffs a year ago to trade C.J. Stroud’s blindside protector.
That’s exactly what happened on Monday. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (whose name is in this column more than the word “the”), the Washington Commanders sent a package of picks to Houston for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Washington traded four picks to Houston for Tunsil—third- and seventh-rounders in 2025 and second- and fourth-rounders in 2026. The Commanders also will receive a fourth-round pick in 2025 from Houston.
For the Commanders, it’s the second big trade the team has made recently and a sign the team is pushing its chips to the center of the table. The Commanders have the cap space to absorb Tunsil’s salary, and a five-time Pro Bowler is a major boost to Washington’s offensive line.
As for the Texans, I’m not entirely sure what the plan is here. The return Houston received here is less than what they gave up to acquire Tunsil from the Miami Dolphins, and now the offensive line is an even bigger question mark than it already was.
The Commanders “won” this deal—handily.
Grade: A (Commanders); D (Texans)
EDGE Josh Sweat Heads to Arizona Cardinals
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After erupting for 2.5 sacks in Super Bowl LIX, edge-rusher Josh Sweat was expected to be a coveted asset at his position in free agency.
It didn’t take long for the 27-year-old to find a new team—and land a massive payday.
As reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Sweat came to terms on a four-year, $76.4 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals that features $41 million in guarantees.
Sweat hasn’t had a huge season yet—his 11 sacks in 2022 is the only time in Sweat’s career he’s hit double digits in that category. But Sweat has posted at least 40 total tackles and 6.5 sacks in each of the past four years, and he showed in the Super Bowl that he can take over a game.
Sweat was one of the best edge-rushers available this year. The Cardinals needed an upgrade opposite the recently re-signed Baron Browning. And the Redbirds got Sweat for less than $20 million a season.
Hard not to like this move for Arizona.
Grade: A-
S Tre'von Moehrig Signs with Panthers
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The Carolina Panthers desperately need to bolster a defense that was bad in just about every way a defense can be in 2024.
The team’s first big signing of 2025 was an attempt to do just that.
Per ESPN, the Panthers inked safety Tre'von Moehrig to a three-year, $51 million deal. Moehrig, 25, had easily the best season of his four-year career in 2024, topping 100 tackles for the first time.
Moehrig’s arrival should provide a boost to a run defense that allowed almost 180 yards per game on the ground in 2024. However. Moehrig was only adequate against the pass, allowing almost two-thirds of the passes thrown in his direction to be completed for the second straight year and allowing four touchdowns in coverage.
There’s always some risk in giving big money to a young player coming off a career year. Was that big season a sign of things to come or an aberration?
But the Panthers had to do something on defense. And there’s still work to be done in the front seven.
Grade: C+
Vikings Sign Veteran C Ryan Kelly
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The Minnesota Vikings had a decent offensive line last year—Ben Rolfe of Pro Football Network ranked the unit ninth in the league. But that didn’t preclude the team from making a play to upgrade the center of that line on Monday.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Adam Schefter reported that the Vikes signed center Ryan Kelly to a two-year, $18 million contract. Kelly, 31, was the longest-tenured player for the Indianapolis Colts and has made four Pro Bowls, including as recently as 2023.
Kelly’s 2024 wasn’t as good—he missed seven games. But when healthy he’s at the very least a capable, experienced starter.
Frankly, if the first day of the legal tampering period has been any indication, teams are valuing aging offensive linemen. Sure, the teams making those deals might have to address the position again in a year or two. But they also aren’t making massive financial commitments to average talents.
Grade: B+
Broncos Sign S Talanoa Hufanga
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The Denver Broncos fielded an excellent defense a year ago, but the team could use an upgrade at safety opposite Brandon Jones.
On Monday, they got one—potentially.
Per Schefter the All-Seeing, the Broncos agreed to terms with Talanoa Hufanga on a three-year, $45 million pact that includes $20 million guaranteed at signing.
How this deal pans out will depend largely on which Hufanga the Broncos get. Back in 2022, Hufanga blew up for 97 total tackles and four interceptions on the way to being named a first-team All-Pro.
However, since then the 26-year-old has struggled to stay on the field. Hufanga has missed as many games as he has played in the past two years, including 10 contests in 2024.
Those durability issues make handing Hufanga $15 million a season something of a risky proposition—albeit one that could pay off big if Hufanga stays on the field and can recapture his 2022 form.
Grade: C+
Patriots Make Big Splash with DT Milton Williams
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Whoever said “you can’t take it with you” apparently works in the front office of the New England Patriots. Because the Pats are tearing through cap space on the first day of the legal tampering period.
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, the Patriots made Milton Williams the third-highest-paid defensive tackle in the league, signing the fifth-year veteran to a four-year, $104 million contract.
In a vacuum, this appears to be a solid signing. Williams didn’t post huge numbers last year with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles (24 total tackles and five sacks), but he was widely regarded as one of the top defensive free agents available in this cycle.
But the Patriots spent a fortune Monday, and very little of that spending was focused on helping young quarterback Drake Maye and the offense.
There’s still time, but the Patriots need to start focusing on better blocking and more weapons for their second-year signal-caller.
Grade: B-
Patriots Sign OT Morgan Moses
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Segue!
You’ll notice a theme in today’s grades—and that theme is the New England Patriots going bananas in free agency.
Most of that spending spree was focused on the defense. But the team also took at least one step toward bolstering arguably the league’s worst offensive live. Per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, the Patriots signed veteran offensive tackle Morgan Moses to a three-year, $24 million contract.
At 34, Moses’ best days are behind him. But in 14 starts at right tackle for the Jets in 2024, Moses allowed just two sacks, per Pro Football Focus.
Moses may not be a long-term solution for the Patriots. But on a day where multiple teams overspent on offensive linemen, New England was able to procure a relatively reliable, experienced tackle for less than $10 million a season.
That clapping sound you hear is Drake Maye, well, clapping.
Grade: A-
CB D.J. Reed Joins Detroit Lions
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The Detroit Lions lost their top cornerback from 2024 when Carlton Davis joined the New England Patriots. It didn’t take long for them to procure a replacement.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Lions agreed to terms with veteran cornerback D.J. Reed on a three-year, $48 million deal. The 28-year-old spent the last three seasons with the New York Jets.
An argument can be made that the Lions actually upgraded here. Reed has toiled away on bad Jets teams, but he’s a sure tackler who has allowed a passer rating below 90 in each of the past five seasons.
The Lions needed to improve a pass defense that struggled last year even before Davis bolted for the big bucks in Beantown. Landing Reed for significantly less than what the Pats paid Davis was a coup for Lions general manager Brad Holmes.
Good teams make good decisions.
Grade: A
CB Paulson Adebo Joins Giants
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Monday has been kind to cornerbacks.
On the same day that Carlton Davis got $20 million per season from the New England Patriots, Paulson Adebo also hit the proverbial jackpot. After spending the first four years of his NFL career in New Orleans, the 25-year-old is joining the New York Giants on a three-year deal worth up to $54 million, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. The new pact includes $36 million guaranteed.
Adebo’s 2024 season was cut short by a broken leg, but he appeared to be headed toward a breakout season prior to that injury. In seven games, he racked up 52 total tackles, 10 pass breakups, three interceptions and an outstanding passer rating against of 71.9. It marked the second straight season that Adebo’s passer rating against was under 75.
This was a solid get for Big Blue. Adebo might not have been the best cornerback available in free agency, but he’s an ascending young talent.
New York had a major need at corner opposite Deonte Banks. And Adebo’s annual salary isn’t out of whack for a player at a premium position who's just now entering his prime.
Grade: B+
Jaguars Sign CB Jourdan Lewis
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Last year, no team in the NFL surrendered more passing yards per game than the Jacksonville Jaguars. Upgrading that leaky secondary this offseason was a must.
The Jags took a step in that direction Monday.
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Jaguars signed slot corner Jourdan Lewis to a three-year, $30 million contract that includes $20 million in guarantees. The deal makes the 29-year-old Lewis, who spent his first eight pro seasons in Dallas, the highest-paid nickel corner in the NFL.
Lewis is a solid player. His passer rating against in 2024 was a respectable 85.3. And $10 million per season isn’t an exorbitant amount for a solid starter in the secondary. However, Lewis isn’t really a difference-maker.
If the Jaguars are going to turn around their woeful secondary from last season, they still have work to do in free agency and/or the draft.
Grade: B-
Titans Acquire OT Dan Moore
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The Tennessee Titans still may not know who their starting quarterback is. But if that signal-caller is right-handed, they now know who will be protecting his blind side moving forward.
Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the Titans have come to terms with free-agent offensive tackle Dan Moore on a massive four-year, $82 million contract. The deal includes $50 million in guarantees.
The 26-year-old Moore made 66 starts over four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played 1,111 snaps last season and surrendered 12 sacks, according to Pro Football Focus, which was the worst mark of any offensive tackle leaguewide. In 2023, he gave up eight.
Those numbers belie the perils of attempting to find offensive line upgrades in free agency. Even middling options like Moore receive huge contracts. There are too many teams looking for help and not enough linemen to go around.
There's no question that the Titans needed to improve up front. How much they actually did remains unclear.
Grade: D+
Commanders Ink DT Javon Kinlaw
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The Washington Commanders hit free agency with a boatload of cap space and a glaring hole at defensive tackle after the release of Jonathan Allen.
It didn’t take long for them to fill that hole.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Commanders agreed to terms on a three-year, $45 million contract with Javon Kinlaw that includes $30 million in guarantees. The 27-year-old logged career-highs in both total tackles (40) and sacks (4.5) last year with the New York Jets.
Kinlaw has a relationship with Washington general manager Adam Peters, who was in San Francisco when the 49ers drafted Kinlaw with the No. 14 overall pick in 2020. Kinlaw is a fine player who's coming off a career year.
But Kinlaw has never really lived up to his first-round billing, and he certainly hasn’t had the NFL career that Allen has to this point.
Releasing the latter only to tun around and hand the former $15 million per season feels like a one-step-forward, two-steps-back type of situation.
Grade: C
Patriots Sign CB Carlton Davis
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The New England Patriots entered free agency with more cap space than any team in the NFL. They aren't being shy about spending that money.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Patriots are signing cornerback Carlton Davis to a three-year, $60 million contract. The deal for the 28-year-old Davis, who spent the 2024 season with the Detroit Lions, contains $34.5 million in guarantees.
Davis was Detroit’s top cornerback last season, posting 56 tackles and a pair of interceptions while logging a passer rating against of 77.0.
The Patriots quietly fielded a top-10 pass defense last year, but as new head coach Mike Vrabel puts his stamp on the team, it’s clear that big changes are coming for a defense that lacked impact players.
It wasn’t cheap, but if Davis can repeat his 2024 performance in New England, he should quickly become a leader in the Patriots secondary.
Grade: B-
Patriots Sign LB Robert Spillane
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Over seven NFL seasons, Robert Spillane has gone from a reserve with the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers to a quality starter with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Now, Spillane is on the move again—with a much fatter wallet.
According to Schefter, Spillane is headed to Foxborough after coming to terms on a three-year, $37 million contract with the New England Patriots.
The Patriots needed an upgrade at linebacker, and Spillane has been wildly productive for the Raiders over the past two seasons, averaging more than 150 total tackles per year.
However, Spillane is also somewhat of a “throwback” player. He's fantastic in run support but is sometimes a liability in coverage. In an era where coverage ability is more critical than ever for off-ball linebackers, handing a thumper over $12 million per season could be construed as an overpay.
Still, New England’s defense got a jolt of talent Monday. And the Pats can use all of that they can get on both sides of the ball.
Grade: C+
Buccaneers Re-Sign WR Chris Godwin
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Chris Godwin was regarded as one of the top wideouts available in free agency this year. The market for his services was believed to be robust.
We’ll never know, because the Buccaneers didn’t let things get to that point.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bucs are re-signing the 29-year-old Godwin to a three-year, $66 million contract that includes $44 million in guarantees.
Godwin had only 50 catches for 576 yards in an injury-shortened 2024 season. But from 2021 to 2023, he surpassed 80 catches and 1,000 yards each year.
It’s big money, but Godwin has long been an important part of the Tampa offense. Keeping him in the fold was undoubtedly one of the Bucs' offseason priorities.
Mission accomplished.
Grade: B
Panthers Hand CB Jaycee Horn Massive Extension
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It’s a good day to be cornerback Jaycee Horn—or his agent.
Rapoport reported that the Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms on a four-year, $100 million extension with the 25-year-old Horn. The contract, which includes $70 million in guarantees, makes the 2021 No. 8 overall pick the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history.
When healthy, Horn is a quality young defensive back. He made the Pro Bowl last year and allowed only 53.2 percent of the passes thrown in his direction to be completed.
However, Horn has missed time in all four of his NFL seasons, including more than 10 games twice. He also allowed a career-high passer rating against of 92.7 in 2024.
Keeping high draft picks in town is understandable. But $25 million per season is an awful lot to give a player who has struggled to stay on the field at this point in his career.
Grade: D
Chargers Bring Back Veteran EDGE Khalil Mack
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The Chargers are already looking at major changes on the edge after releasing Joey Bosa. On Monday, they made sure they won’t be looking for a second pass-rusher in free agency.
The Bolts re-signed veteran edge-rusher Khalil Mack on a one-year, fully guaranteed $18 million contract, according to Schefter. The 34-year-old had 39 total tackles and six sacks for the Chargers in 2024.
Mack’s numbers were down last year compared to his career-high 17 sacks in 2023. He’s also not getting any younger. But the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year made the Pro Bowl last year for the third time in as many seasons in Los Angeles, and he remains an effective pass-rusher.
$18 million is a hefty one-year cap hit, but the Chargers are in good shape financially, and locking Mack up quickly on a relatively low-risk deal keeps him from hitting the open market in a year when the quality edge-rushers are already drying up.
Grade: B
Chiefs Sign OT Jaylon Moore
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It was well known that the Kansas City Chiefs needed to upgrade their offensive line this offseason, especially after trading Pro Bowl guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears. With Ronnie Stanley off the market, the Chiefs were forced to go with Plan B in that regard—and Plan B is a risky bet.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Chiefs have come to terms with offensive tackle Jaylon Moore on a two-year, $30 million contract, $21.2 million of which is guaranteed.
Moore spent the first four seasons of his career with the San Francisco 49ers. He allowed one sack in 271 snaps last year, per Pro Football Focus.
Moore is getting a robust payday in a year where the demand for offensive tackles far outweighs the supply. That's a gamble for the Chiefs. The 27-year-old has shown some flashes, but he’s started only 12 games over four seasons.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has earned the benefit of the doubt, but this is a move that smacks of desperation. It could also be an expensive mistake.
Grade: C-
EDGE Haason Reddick Joins Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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One year ago, Haason Reddick was considered one of the best edge-rushers in the NFL. After a disastrous 2024 campaign, Reddick is trying to resurrect his career in a new home.
According to Nick Brinkerhoff of USA Today, Reddick and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have come to terms on a one-year, $14 million contract. The 30-year-old had just one sack in 2024 after a prolonged holdout from the New York Jets, but he had at least 11 sacks in four straight seasons from 2020 to 2023 with the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles.
It’s no secret that the Buccaneers needed help on the edge. Tampa didn’t have an edge-rusher who hit five sacks last season. If Reddick can recapture his past form, he’ll be a huge addition for a team with postseason aspirations.
But Reddick is now the wrong side of 30, and his 2024 campaign was an unmitigated disaster. The two-time Pro Bowler should be highly motivated to rebound this year.
Still, $14 million is a lot to pay for a “maybe.”
Grade: C
Saints Acquire DT Davon Godchaux from Patriots
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The New Orleans Saints were 31st in the NFL in run defense in 2024, allowing 4.9 yards per carry and over 141 yards per game on the ground. The sticky cap situation in the Big Easy makes adding big names problematic. But New Orleans kicked off the week by fortifying its defensive interior via trade.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Saints acquired defensive tackle Davon Godchaux from the New England Patriots for a 2026 seventh-round pick. The Pats gave Godchaux, who has started 67 games over the past four seasons in New England, permission to seek a trade back in February.
The 6’3”, 330-pound lane-clogger isn’t a factor as a pass-rusher. The 30-year-old has only 5.5 sacks in eight NFL seasons. But Godchaux is a plus run defender, which is an area where the Saints badly needed to get better.
Godchaux isn’t especially cheap, with $13.5 million left on the final two years of his contract. But both teams appear to have gotten what they wanted out of this deal. The Patriots got rid of a player who didn’t want to be there, while the Saints addressed one of their biggest defensive deficiencies from last season
Grade: C+ (Saints); C (Patriots)
Texans Sign DT Sheldon Rankins
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The Houston Texans won the AFC South in 2024, and as the beginning of the legal tampering period began, they looked to bolster their defense by bringing back a familiar face.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Texans signed veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins to a one-year deal that could be worth up to $7 million. The 30-year-old had 18 tackles and a sack in seven games for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024.
Rankins’ lone year in the Queen City was disappointing, but the 2016 first-round pick was solid for the Texans two years ago. He tallied 37 total stops and six sacks, which was the second-most of his nine-year career.
Signing a tackle the wrong side of 30 coming off an injury-marred 2024 campaign won't fix all that ails Houston’s defense. But Rankins played well for DeMeco Ryans two years ago, and if he can recapture that form, this could be a decent value.
Grade: C
WR Davante Adams Joins the Los Angeles Rams
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The Los Angeles Rams may be looking to trade wide receiver Cooper Kupp, but they aren't sitting on their hands at wide receiver. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Per Rapoport, the Rams have agreed to terms on a two-year, $46 million contract with recently released wide receiver Davante Adams. The deal for the 32-year-old, who had 85 catches for 1,063 yards and eight scores for the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets last year, contains $26 million in guarantees.
Is Adams still a rock-solid wide receiver at this point in his career? Yes. And the guarantees on the deal are reasonable.
But the Rams pivoting from Kupp to Adams at $20-plus million a season feels...lateral. And that's if the six-time Pro Bowler fits in well with his third team in a year.
Kupp's fate appears sealed in Los Angeles. While Les Snead is one of the savviest general managers in the league, this was a misstep.
Grade: C-
Edge Harold Landry Signs with New England Patriots
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The New England Patriots entered free agency with the most cap space in the NFL and were fresh off a season in which they recorded an NFL-low 28 sacks.
On Sunday night, they used the former to address the latter.
Per ESPN, New England agreed to terms with Harold Landry on a three-year deal worth $43.5 million, with $26 million guaranteed. The 28-year-old amassed 71 tackles and nine sacks last year with the Tennessee Titans.
The downside of the signing? Landry has tallied a pass-rush win rate of over 10 percent just once in seven years, per John Owning of Pro Football Focus. He is unlikely to single-handedly fix the NFL's worst pass rush.
However, Landry has logged in 70 tackles and nine sacks in three of the last four seasons, with the lone exception being the 2022 campaign that he missed with a torn ACL. Mike Vrabel was Tennessee's head coach when the Titans selected Landry with a second-round pick in 2018.
This free-agent class isn't deep on the edge. Getting arguably the best of the lot for less than $15 million per season is a solid start to what should be an interesting week in Foxborough.
Grade: A-
EDGE Myles Garrett Hits the Jackpot with Browns
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Well, so much for Myles Garrett’s trade demands. Amazing what becoming the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback ever will do for a player’s morale.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, that’s what Garrett is after inking an extension that averages $40 million per season and contains a staggering $123.5 million in guarantees.
The reality was that the Browns couldn’t trade Garrett without jacking up their already-wrecked salary cap to the point of absurdity. They also couldn’t afford to lose their best player and a future Hall of Famer.
With that said, Browns general manager Andrew Berry can only play “kick the can” for so long. The bill always comes due at some point.
Grade: B
Vikings Bring Back RB Aaron Jones
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The 2024 season didn’t end the way the Minnesota Vikings had hoped, and they're now headed for a change under center. But J.J. McCarthy will be handing the rock to the same player whom Sam Darnold did last year.
According to Schefter, the Vikings re-signed veteran running back Aaron Jones to a two-year deal worth $20 million. The pact includes $13 million in guarantees.
Jones was excellent in 2024 in his first year with the Vikings, topping 1,500 total yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and catching 51 passes. He showed zero signs of slowing down last season, but he recently celebrated his 30th birthday.
That can be a risky age for a running back.
Grade: B-
LB Nick Bolton Re-Ups with Chiefs
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After getting drilled in Super Bowl LIX, the Kansas City Chiefs are entering a critical period. But while they may be down an offensive lineman after trading Joe Thuney, they kept one of their best defenders in the fold.
Per Rapoport, the Chiefs are bringing back free-agent-to-be linebacker Nick Bolton on a three-year, $45 million contract.
Bolton, who racked up 106 total tackles in 2024, has spent all four of his professional seasons in Kansas City. However, his stats don't tell the story of his NFL impact. He’s a top-five off-ball linebacker and a key component of Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
Spending $15 million per season to retain him won't make Kansas City’s cap situation any better, but the 25-year-old easily could have gotten more on the open market.
Grade: A-
WR DK Metcalf Traded to Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Seattle Seahawks have been, um, busy.
Not long after stunning fans by shipping quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, they have found a taker for disgruntled wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Metcalf got his bag of cash. But the warm weather he sought? Maybe until November.
As reported by Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the Seahawks traded the 27-year-old, who had 66 catches for 992 yards and five scores in 2024, to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second-round pick in 2025. The Steelers then handed him a five-year, $150 million contract.
It’s an uncharacteristically aggressive move for the Steelers, or at least the contract is. But the odds this is a true five-year deal are slim to none, and a late second isn't a bad price to pay for a badly needed upgrade offensively in the Steel City.
Assuming they get a quarterback and all.
A late-second-round pick might not be the compensation the Seahawks were hoping for, but it had become apparent that a Day 2 pick was as good as they were going to get given his contract demands, and Seattle appears to be smashing the reset button offensively.
The Steelers don't generally drive the news cycle this time of year, but this splash move makes them one of the NFL's most fascinating teams to watch once the legal tampering period opens.
Grade: B (Steelers); C (Seahawks)
Other Contract Extensions/Re-Signings
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Atlanta Falcons Extend LT Jake Matthews
The Atlanta Falcons aren’t entering free agency in the best position relative to the salary cap. But in true NFL fashion, the Falcons created some Sunday—by paying a core player even more money.
As ESPN’s Marc Raimondi reported, the Falcons agreed to terms on a two-year, $45 million extension with tackle Jake Matthews. The 33-year-old Matthews had one year left on his old deal, but it carried a $22 million cap number.
Matthews is 33 and allowed five sacks last season, but he’s also been in Atlanta over a decade and was a top-15 tackle in 2024 per Pro Football Focus. Clearing some cap space while extending a cornerstone player is a hard move not to like.
Grade: B
Seahawks Re-Up LB Ernest Jones IV
The Seahawks may have blown up the offense, but late Sunday the team made sure they won’t also be on the hunt for a new defensive signal-caller.
As reported by Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, the Seahawks have retained pending free-agent linebacker Ernest Jones IV on a three-year contract that could be worth $33 million. $15 million of the deal is guaranteed.
Jones had a tumultuous 2024 season, traded first to the Tennessee Titans just before the season and then to Seattle. But Jones rolled with the punches well, logging 138 total tackles and establishing himself as a quality starter at his position.
What was a deep free agent market at linebacker is thinning pretty quickly—and a lot of teams appear content to go with the devil they know.
Grade: B-
Raiders Re-Sign DT Adam Butler
The Raiders have already been busy with the acquisition of quarterback Geno Smith. But they're also keeping some of its own defensive talent in Sin City.
Per Rapoport, the Raiders re-signed veteran defensive tackle Adam Butler to a three-year, $16.5 million contract. $11 million of the deal is guaranteed.
Butler, 30, started a career-high 16 games last year for Las Vegas, amassing five sacks for the second consecutive season. The eight-year veteran isn’t an elite talent, but he was a capable starter in 2024 and is coming back on a reasonable deal.
Grade: B
Broncos Bring Back DT D.J. Jones
The Denver Broncos fielded one of the NFL’s best defenses in 2024, and they took steps Monday to keep the band together—at least up front.
The Broncos re-signed defensive tackle D.J. Jones, who had 42 tackles and a sack last year, to a three-year contract extension worth $39 million, according to Schefter. $26 million of the deal is believed to be guaranteed.
Jones is a pure run-stuffer. The 30-year-old generally leaves the field in obvious passing situations. But the ninth-year veteran is a plus run defender who the Broncos apparently value quite a bit.
Spending $13 million per season is a lot for a player who doesn’t add much against the pass. But if the Broncos didn’t pay Jones, some other team would have.
Grade: C+
Steelers Place Second-Round Tender on RB Jaylen Warren
Running back Jaylen Warren piled up 158 touches for the Pittsburgh Steelers last year. On Monday, the team took steps to keep the 26-year-old in the Steel City in 2025.
Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Pittsburgh placed a second-round tender on the restricted free agent, who had 821 total yards last year and averaged 4.3 yards per carry. The tender would pay Warren $5.3 million this season.
With Najee Harris set to hit free agency, retaining Warren gives the Steelers some continuity in the backfield. But Warren has been a complementary back to this point in his career, so Pittsburgh still has some work to do in the offensive backfield.
Grade: C+
Buccaneers Re-Up OG Ben Bredeson
Offensive guard Ben Bredeson joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year on a one-year contract. Now, after a quality 2024 campaign, the 27-year-old is cashing in.
According to Sara Walsh of NFL Network, Bredeson and the Buccaneers have come to terms on a three-year, $22 million contract extension. The 27-year-old allowed just two sacks in over 1,100 snaps for Tampa last season, per Pro Football Focus.
Bredeson isn’t an elite talent. But he was solid for the Buccaneers last season and has started 33 games over the past two seasons.
Keeping a capable starter up front from hitting the open market was a smart play, especially for $7 million and change.
Grade: B
Cardinals Bring Back OG Evan Brown
Splash signings may make headlines, but often it’s the quieter deals that make the bigger impact for NFL teams.
Offensive guard Evan Brown started every game for the Arizona Cardinals after joining the team on a one-year deal in 2024. On Monday, the team re-upped the 28-year-old on a two-year, $11.5 million contract according to to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Brown played 1,070 snaps for the Redbirds last year, giving up two sacks and committing a pair of penalties according to Pro Football Focus.
Keeping decent offensive linemen in-house is an annual priority for NFL teams.
Doing so for a reasonable amount is smart business.
Grade: B+
Bengals Re-Sign DT B.J. Hill
The Cincinnati Bengals have had a tumultuous offseason on the defensive line. Edge-rusher Sam Hubbard abruptly retired, and fellow edge Trey Hendrickson has requested a trade.
Monday the Bengals attempted to hold things together in the middle of that line.
Per Schefter, Cincinnati re-signed defensive tackle B.J. Hill to a three-year, $33 million contract. The new deal for the 29-year-old Hill, who racked up 56 total tackles and three sacks a year ago, contains $16 million in guarantees.
Given the defensive struggles the Bengals had a year ago, the last thing the team needed was to hemorrhage any more good players on that side of the ball. And given some of the deals being signed by defensive tackles early in free agency, $11 million a season for Hill isn’t unreasonable.
Grade: B+
WR Darius Slayton Staying with New York Giants
There are any number of question marks with the New York Giants offensively in 2025. But at the wide receiver position at least, the team is attempting to keep the band together.
Per Schefter, the Giants have come to terms with free-agent wide receiver Darius Slayton on a three-year, $36 million extension. Slayton averaged over 14.5 yards per catch last year for the fourth time in five seasons, but his reception and yardage numbers were the worst he’s had in a season where the 28-year-old played in at least 14 games.
Slayton’s not a bad player, and there’s something to be said for keeping homegrown talent on the team. But Slayton has never had even 800 receiving yards in a season.
$12 million a year is an overpay, plain and simple.
Grade: D+
CB Mike Jackson Back with Panthers
There weren’t many bright spots for the Carolina Panthers defensively in 2024, but the play of journeyman cornerback Mike Jackson was one. Now, the 28-year-old is being rewarded for the best season of his career.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Jackson, who had a career-high 76 total tackles in his first year with the Panthers, will be returning to the team on a two-year, $14.25 million pact.
Jackson’s not a high-end talent—there’s a reason he’s on his fourth team in six seasons and was targeted 96 times in 2024. But after giving Jaycee Horn approximately all the money ever, the Panthers need some reasonably-priced defensive backs.
Bringing Jackson back makes sense for both player and team.
Grade: B-
EDGE Malcolm Koonce Re-Ups with Raiders
What was supposed to be a potential breakout season for Koonce in 2024 ended before it began—the 26-year-old missed the entire year with a knee injury.
However, the Raiders have decided to run it back one more time. As Fowler reported, the Raiders have re-signed Koonce to a one-year, $12 million contract.
Koonce appeared to be an ascending young pass-rusher prior to getting hurt—he racked up 43 total tackles and eight sacks two seasons ago. There’s a new regime in Vegas, but they should still know better than anyone how Koonce’s rehab is progressing.
If he can turn back the clock and regain his momentum from 2023, $12 million isn’t a bad price tag—and he’ll still be young enough in 2026 to potentially earn his own big payday.
Grade: B-
Packers Bring in OG Aaron Banks
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Before free agency began, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network predicted that San Francisco 49ers guard Aaron Banks could hit the jackpot this year.
“Last March, the Panthers signed free-agent guard Robert Hunt to a whopping five-year, $100 million deal,” he said. “If the market is right, Banks could land a contract in a similar range of $18 million to $20 million per season.”
Give that man a cigar—per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the Green Bay Packers signed Banks to a four-year, $77 million contract.
It’s a massive deal. But over the past three seasons, Banks has started 43 games, posting a pass block win rate of 89.9% and a run block win rate of 66.5%.
This is the reality of hitting the top of the market along the offensive line in free agency—at guard or tackle. Average annual salaries can soar near (or even past) $20 million a season.
It’s an expensive way to bolster a front, and given that Banks was exclusively a left guard in San Fran, this isn’t the last of the changes—Elgton Jenkins is probably headed inside to center.
Green Bay was already a top-10 offensive line in the eyes of some. So, on some level it’s curious to see the Pack use this kind of cap space to fix something that really wasn’t broken.
Grade: C+
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