The 2025 NFL free agency period has been notably active, with teams making significant moves to bolster their rosters ahead of the upcoming season. Here's a breakdown of some of the most impactful transactions:
High-Profile Signings:
Josh Sweat to the Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals secured defensive end Josh Sweat with a four-year, $76.4 million contract, aiming to strengthen their pass rush.
Talanoa Hufanga to the Denver Broncos: Safety Talanoa Hufanga signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Broncos, enhancing their secondary.
Luke Farrell to the San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers retained tight end Luke Farrell with a three-year, $20.25 million contract, ensuring continuity in their offensive scheme.
Dayo Odeyingbo to the Chicago Bears: The Bears bolstered their defense by signing defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo to a four-year, $48 million contract.
Milton Williams, Morgan Moses, Robert Spillane, Mack Hollins and Carlton Davis to the New England Patriots: The Patriots have been active, adding defensive tackle Milton Williams, offensive tackle Morgan Moses, linebacker Robert Spillane, and cornerback Carlton Davis to their roster.
Chris Godwin Re-signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Wide receiver Chris Godwin chose to stay with the Buccaneers, signing a multi-year deal to continue his impactful role in their offense.
DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers acquired wide receiver DK Metcalf from a trade with the Seattle Seahawks and gave him a five-year, $150 million contract, significantly boosting their receiving corps.
Khalil Mack Returns to the Los Angeles Chargers: Veteran pass rusher Khalil Mack re-signed with the Chargers on a two-year, $18 million deal, providing veteran leadership and pass-rushing prowess.
Quarterback Movements:
Aaron Rodgers' Potential Move: The Pittsburgh Steelers are in discussions with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is considering options after his tenure with the New York Jets.
Justin Fields Signs with the New York Jets: Quarterback Justin Fields, previously with the Chicago Bears/Pittsburgh Steelers, signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets, aiming to compete for the starting role.
Sam Darnold to the Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks signed quarterback Sam Darnold to a three-year, $110.5 million deal, seeking to solidify their quarterback position.
Other Notable Transactions:
Darius Slayton Re-signs with the New York Giants: Wide receiver Darius Slayton agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $36 million, ensuring his continued presence in the Giants' offense.
Elijah Molden Extends with the Los Angeles Chargers: Safety Elijah Molden signed a three-year, $18.75 million contract extension with the Chargers, including $13.5 million guaranteed, after a standout season.
Team Strategies:
New England Patriots' Aggressive Approach: The Patriots have been proactive in free agency, committing $282 million, including $164 million in guaranteed money, to acquire key defensive players. However, they continue to seek a top-tier receiver to support quarterback Drake Maye.
Detroit Lions' Defensive Reinforcements: The Lions have focused on strengthening their defense, re-signing guard Netane Muti and engaging in various free-agent negotiations to maintain their competitive edge.
Day 1 Losers:
1) Jerry Jones: The Dallas Cowboys owner couldn't have been pleased when he saw the Cleveland Browns giving all that money to Myles Garrett. That's because his job of signing star linebacker Micah Parsons to a new deal just became a whole lot harder. Jones spent all of last season negotiating with quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb on massive extensions, all with the specter of Parsons' financial future looming off in the distance. At 25, Parsons is about to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. He also has accumulated 52.5 sacks in his first four seasons and has never produced less than 12 sacks in any given year. If you thought Jones did some healthy tussling with those other stars over their deals, just wait to see how this one plays out with Parsons. It's going to hurt, big time.
2) Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals came into this offseason with high hopes of appeasing three stars: defensive end Trey Hendrickson and wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase. Unfortunately for them, it already looks like that will be a hard task, at least when it comes to Hendrickson. The Bengals already had given Hendrickson the right to pursue a trade, mainly because he wants a new deal. The pact that Myles Garrett just signed -- along with the three-year, $106.5 million deal that Las Vegas gave Maxx Crosby -- assures that Hendrickson will be searching for the kind of payday that Cincinnati ($43.4 million in projected cap space) likely can't afford. Hendrickson is coming off a season in which he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks. There are a number of teams with plenty of cap room to add a pass rusher like that, along with the requisite need. The Bengals had the tools to keep Higgins at the negotiating table, as he now holds the franchise tag. They still have the 30-year-old Hendrickson under contract for another season, but moving him makes a lot more sense now, given how the market has shifted.
3) Kirk Cousins: Cousins was the biggest name on the free agent market last offseason, and the Falcons couldn't wait to sign him to a deal worth $100 million in guaranteed money. He's now surely feeling like one of the most frustrated quarterbacks in the league, as the idea of a fresh start must be tantalizing -- but his franchise is publicly saying it will do what’s best for its own interests. That's got to be a tough one to swallow for Cousins, who played well for half a season and then imploded in such epic fashion that rookie Michael Penix Jr. had his job by the end of the year. Cousins can see the same things everyone else can: There are positions out there to be had. There are a handful of teams that need proven veterans, including the Giants, Steelers and Browns. There also aren't many candidates out there without warts. Cousins could be in play if he were a free man. Unfortunately, the Falcons are playing a different game with him, one that probably makes them think somebody will deal for him.
Day 1 Winners:
1) Sam Darnold: The Seahawks pulled the trigger on the move everyone expected to happen after they agreed to trade Geno Smith to Las Vegas: Darnold has agreed to become their new franchise quarterback. The money Darnold landed -- $100.5 million over three years -- didn't quite match what one might expect for a coveted signal-caller on the open market, but there are some notable benefits to moving west from Minnesota. The most obvious is that he'll be reunited with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who was the San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator when Darnold was a backup to Brock Purdy on that team in 2023. Darnold has credited that time in San Francisco for helping reshape his career. He's smart to link back up with a coach who understands his strengths and weaknesses. The Seahawks also clearly are reworking the core of this offense. They still need to improve the cast around Darnold: with Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf exiting, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the only legitimate weapon at receiver going into 2025, while the offensive line needs help, as well.
2) Ryan Poles: The Chicago Bears general manager has spent the last three years trying to build this team into a contender. This is the offseason when he faces the most pressure to make that happen. The Bears flopped in their first season with 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams operating as the starting quarterback, partly because they surrendered a league-high 68 sacks. Poles responded to that by aggressively rebuilding the interior of his offensive line. He secured trades for Chiefs guard Joe Thuney and Rams guard Jonah Jackson while also signing center Drew Dalman to a deal on Monday that will make Dalman the second-highest paid player at his position. The Bears still have other needs to address -- especially when it comes to finding a pass rusher -- but Poles couldn't have begun this offseason any stronger. The Bears watched the NFC North turn into the toughest division in football last year. The going won't be any easier for them in 2025 unless this rebuilt offensive line lives up to the hype.
3) Jayden Daniels: The Commanders came into this offseason with a great situation: They had the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year on the roster, plus roughly $81 million in projected salary-cap space. GM Adam Peters had the potential to make a lot of smart decisions with that money, and he did just that, agreeing to a trade for wide receiver Deebo Samuel last week, re-signing tight end Zach Ertz and agreeing to a trade for former Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil on Monday. The addition of Samuel gives Daniels another proven receiver who can take pressure off Terry McLaurin and be a creative chess piece for offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. The return of Ertz gives Daniels that reliable intermediate target that makes life so easy for young quarterbacks. The trade for Tunsil means Daniels has one of the best left tackles in the game protecting his blind side. A few games into the 2024 season, it was obvious Daniels is destined for big things. Imagine what he'll do with more experience and a better supporting cast.
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