NFL Free Agency: Big Moves and Surprising Deals

The NFL offseason is always a whirlwind of activity, and this year is no different. The frenzy began even before the official start of the new league year. Stars like Tee Higgins and Trey Smith received franchise tags, while Pro Bowlers like Geno Smith, Deebo Samuel, and DK Metcalf were traded to new teams. Quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen got significant pay raises, and edge rushers Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett secured record-breaking extensions. The legal tampering period, which started at noon ET on Monday, saw several high-profile deals. The Seahawks signed Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100. 5 million contract, and the Jets secured Justin Fields with a two-year, $40 million deal. The Patriots bolstered their defense for new head coach Mike Vrabel, the Texans traded their star left tackle to the Commanders, and the Browns acquired a former first-round quarterback from the Eagles. Day 2 brought even more action. Quarterback Daniel Jones signed with the Colts on a one-year, $14 million deal. The Vikings made big moves by signing guard Will Fries and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. The Texans traded another former first-round offensive lineman, Kenyon Green, to the Eagles for safety C. J. Gardner-Johnson. The Browns retained key players like LB Amen Ogbongbemiga, CB Josh Blackwell, and DT Chris Williams. They also signed several new players, including EDGE Patrick Jones II, DT Bobby Brown III, and RB Darrynton Evans. The Eagles made significant moves, retaining players like DT D. J. Jones, QB Jarrett Stidham, and S Talanoa Hufanga. They also signed new players, including LB Dre Greenlaw, OT Matt Peart, and CB D. J. Reed. The Patriots retained players like LB Derrick Barnes, EDGE Marcus Davenport, and LB Zeke Turner. They also signed new players, including CB D. J. Reed, K Brandon McManus, and LB Isaiah McDuffie. The 49ers retained players like DL Mario Edwards, EDGE Derek Barnett, and RB Dare Ogunbowale. They also signed new players, including S Camryn Bynum, CB Charvarius Ward, and QB Daniel Jones. The Ravens retained players like OG Trey Smith, LB Nick Bolton, and WR Hollywood Brown. They also signed new players, including CB Kristian Fulton, OT Jaylon Moore, and RB Elijah Mitchell. The Raiders retained players like EDGE Maxx Crosby, DT Adam Butler, and EDGE Malcolm Koonce. They also signed new players, including S Jeremy Chinn, OG Alex Cappa, and S Lonnie Johnson Jr. The Steelers retained players like CB Elijah Molden, EDGE Khalil Mack, and C Bradley Bozeman. They also signed new players, including CB Donte Jackson, RB Najee Harris, and DL Teair Tart. The Vikings retained players like CB Byron Murphy, RB Aaron Jones, and S Theo Jackson. They also signed new players, including OG Will Fries, DT Jonathan Allen, and CB Isaiah Rodgers. The Commanders retained players like EDGE Chase Young, TE Juwan Johnson, and DT Nathan Shepherd. They also signed new players, including CB Paulson Adebo, S Jevon Holland, and DL Chauncey Golston. The Jets retained players like WR Darius Slayton, P Jamie Gillan, and QB Tommy DeVito. They also signed new players, including CB Brandon Stephens, S Andre Cisco, and QB Justin Fields. The Browns traded QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson to the 49ers and OG Kenyon Green to the Eagles. They also signed new players, including LB Malik Harrison, TE Donald Parham Jr. , and C Ryan McCollum. The Buccaneers retained players like RB Patrick Taylor Jr. , RB Jordan Mason, and LB Curtis Robinson. They also signed new players, including TE Luke Farrell, S Richie Grant, and LB Ernest Jones IV. The Dolphins retained players like DT Sebastian Joseph Day, OL Andrew Rupcich, and CB Darrell Baker. They also signed new players, including WR Deebo Samuel, LT Laremy Tunsil, and EDGE Haason Reddick. The 49ers traded WR Deebo Samuel to the Dolphins and LT Laremy Tunsil to the Texans. They also signed new players, including EDGE Anthony Nelson, P Riley Dixon, and DT Sebastian Joseph Day.