With only a few days remaining until players can formally start inking new contracts, the NFL’s free agency dominoes are already starting to fall.
Russell Wilson decided to sign a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a veteran’s minimum of $1.2 million on Sunday, leaving the Denver Broncos responsible for the remaining $38 million on his previous deal.
In the meanwhile, another quarterback Baker Mayfield has reportedly agreed to a three-year, $100 million contract to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team he helped to the playoffs his rookie year.
Though there is fresh potential at the position in North Carolina’s Drake Maye and USC’s Caleb Williams for next month’s draft, the two best possibilities right now for quarterback-hungry clubs seeking more experience are Chicago Bears signal caller Justin Fields and free agency Kirk Cousins.
After three inconsistent seasons in Chicago, Fields was traded to the Carolina Panthers last year, making him expendable. Fields becomes tradeable as a result of the agreement, leaving the Bears with the top selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, when they are anticipated to select a quarterback.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future following his season-ending Achilles injury in October, Cousins has performed better while playing with the Minnesota Vikings and may decide to stay in Minneapolis.
The Atlanta Falcons, who own the eighth choice in next month’s draft and may pass on Williams, Maye, or LSU’s Jayden Daniels, may also be considering the four-time Pro Bowl selection.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future following his season-ending Achilles injury in October, Cousins has performed better while playing with the Minnesota Vikings and may decide to stay in Minneapolis.
The Atlanta Falcons, who own the eighth choice in next month’s draft and may pass on Williams, Maye, or LSU’s Jayden Daniels, may also be considering the four-time Pro Bowl selection.
When the NFL’s free agency frenzy begins on Monday with a 52-hour legal tampering period, Cousins is anticipated to talk with the Falcons.
Teams can begin negotiations with players who will become unrestricted free agents on Monday at 12 p.m. EST, as their contracts expire on Wednesday at 4 p.m. EST at the beginning of the new league season.
Players must wait until the league season officially starts to sign with new teams. Only players who will be unrestricted free agents are eligible for the two-day negotiation window.
Running backs Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, and D’Andre Swift; offensive tackles Tyron Smith, Jonah Williams, and Trent Brown; and wide receivers Calvin Ridley, Marquise Brown, and Odell Beckham Jr. are some more offensive players to keep an eye on as they head into free agency.
The non-exclusive franchise tag was applied to eight players: safety Antoine Winfield, edge rusher Josh Allen, and wide receivers Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman. Teams would need to forfeit two first-round selections in order to sign them, but they are still free to test the open market.
Chris Jones, the defensive lineman for the Chiefs and perhaps the greatest free agent available, agreed to a rumored $95 million deal last week, thus ending his options before the signing period even started. For the second straight year, the Chiefs also placed a tag on L’Jarius Sneed, a cornerback, rather than Jones. However, if Kansas City wants to free up cost space, the Pro Bowl defensive back may now be traded.
The wage cap is more than $30 million for half of the NFL’s clubs, which makes the market rather player-friendly.
The performance of the running backs is highly anticipated.
Last season, Barkley, Jacobs, and Tony Pollard were all given franchise tags; however, no team was willing to spend $11.9 million on a running back. The final member of the top six is Austin Ekeler.
The non-exclusive franchise tag was applied to eight players: safety Antoine Winfield, edge rusher Josh Allen, and wide receivers Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman. Teams would need to forfeit two first-round selections in order to sign them, but they are still free to test the open market.
Chris Jones, the defensive lineman for the Chiefs and perhaps the greatest free agent available, agreed to a rumored $95 million deal last week, thus ending his options before the signing period even started.
Sneed rather of assigning it to Jones for the second consecutive year; but, if Kansas City wants to free up contract space, the Pro Bowl defensive back may now be traded.
The wage cap is more than $30 million for half of the NFL’s clubs, which makes the market rather player-friendly.
The performance of the running backs is highly anticipated.
Last season, Barkley, Jacobs, and Tony Pollard were all given franchise tags; however, no team was willing to spend $11.9 million on a running back. The final member of the top six is Austin Ekeler.
