NFL Free-Agent Signings: Assessing Most Notable Deals to Start Offseason

It's officially open season for free agents in the NFL to find a new home, or to use discussions with other franchises to renegotiate contracts with the team that wants them back.

NFL free agency has a lot of give and take, but mostly it's about the players taking big pay days and laughing on their way to the bank. After all, football is a dangerous sport to play, and the players want to make sure they're being compensated appropriately.  

While only a day has gone by in the free-agency period, some players have already been rewarded for their play on the field and now don't have to worry about job security for a long time. 

Jack Doyle, TE

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One such player who won't be seeing free agency for another three years is tight end Jack Doyle, who, at 26 years of age, re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts on a three-year, $19 million deal. The contract can also expand to $21 million with incentives, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Re-signing Doyle is a big move for the Colts and first-year general manager Chris Ballard. Doyle had a breakout season in 2016 after the Colts let Coby Fleener walk last year to join the New Orleans Saints.

After signing Dwayne Allen last March to a multi-year deal, it seems that Indianapolis' tight end depth chart is set for a few more years. 

Providing consistency and solid role players for quarterback Andrew Luck is paramount, and the Colts took a step in the right direction on Tuesday.

Jermaine Gresham, TE

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Another tight end who secured his future by re-signing with his team is Jermaine Gresham. He signed a four-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals. 

While the terms were not disclosed, NFL Network's Garafolo reported that Gresham is getting a sizable raise from his last contract. 

"I'm happy. This wasn't about the money. More than anything, it was about winning and the security," Gresham told ESPN.com's Josina Anderson.

After leaving the Cincinnati Bengals two years ago, Gresham's career seemed in jeopardy. The two-time Pro Bowler lacked consistency on the field but showed flashes last season why he was drafted in the first round out of Oklahoma back in 2010.

Charles Johnson, DE

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The Carolina Panthers would've been silly to let Charles Johnson bolt for another team. 

Johnson has shown inconsistency of late, most notably back in 2015 where he only recorded one sack and was subsequently released before re-signing with the team again with a pay cut.

But Johnson, second all time in Panthers franchise history in sacks (67.5), wasn't going anywhere this time around after signing a two-year deal worth $9.5 million. The Panthers need Johnson to perform this season after giving him a good deal this offseason.

It's up to him to prove his worth once more.