NFL Free Agency Update – Players on the Move

The 2024 NFL league year started March 13 and it marked the first day that NFL teams could sign free agents to new contracts. There have been a number of bold moves already and there are still several more to come. We’ll take a look at the biggest moves at a variety of positions.

A big part of the offseason in the NFL is devoted to roster building. Sometimes, the best free agent pickups are the ones that are already on the roster. We’ll look at a handful of signings that involve non-movers. Let the NFL free agency period begin!

Non-Movers

After a season in which he took the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an NFC South title and the brink of an NFC championship, Baker Mayfield signed a new three-year contract to remain in Tampa. His new deal has a value of $100 million with $50 million guaranteed. With built-in incentives Mayfield could earn as much as $115. 

The Kansas City Chiefs locked down two potential free agents from their Super Bowl champion defense. The champs placed the franchise tag on CB L’Jarius Snead, but it’s a nonexclusive tag meaning Snead can negotiate with other teams. The Tennessee Titans are reportedly interested, but if Snead remains a Chief, he’ll earn $19.8 million this season. Jones signed a five-year, $158.75 million contract to remain in Kansas City.

Free Agent QBs on the Move

The biggest of all NFL quarterback moves was the signing of former Vikings starter Kirk Cousins by the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have some serious offensive pieces in place and Cousins was the final one. He signed a four-year deal worth $180 million ($100 million guaranteed).

Cousins’ signing by the Falcons led to Minnesota signing Sam Darnold, who served as Brock Purdy’s backup in San Francisco last season. Darnold signed a one-year deal worth up to $10 million. 

Other quarterbacks on the move include Marcus Mariota who played last year with the Philadelphia Eagles. Mariota was signed by Washington. He got a deal similar to Darnold’s in Minnesota, one-year, up to $10 million. Many experts believe Mariota’s signing comes in advance of the Commanders selecting LSU’s Jayden Daniels in the upcoming NFL draft.

Russell Wilson, who played the last two seasons in Denver, has signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wilson’s contract will be for the veteran league minimum ($1.21 million). Denver is still on the hook for roughly $38 million in salary money owed to Wilson this year.

Running Backs Getting Paid

In today’s modern NFL, it’s no secret that it’s a passing league. Quarterbacks and wide receivers are the faces of every franchise. Pass rushers and corners make up the stars on defense. Somewhere along the way, the running back lost its luster. 

Running backs have been earning less and less, but there are still a few that have value. Just ask the Baltimore Ravens. They went out and grabbed Derrick Henry from Tennessee for $16 million over two years. With incentives, Henry can earn up to $20 million. 

But that’s only $10 million per season, right? How about Saquon Barkley? The former Giants RB will move to division rival Philadelphia and make an average of $15.88 million over three seasons. That is the second-richest RB contract in NFL history. Josh Jacobs got $48 million over four years in Green Bay.

Defense Pays

It’s not just offensive players that are cashing in during this free agency period. DE Za’Darius Smith was traded to Cleveland last season before the trade deadline. The Browns re-signed Smith to a new two-year deal worth $23.5 million. Pairing Smith with NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett keeps the pass rush NFL’s best defense intact. 

Former Miami DT Christian Wilkins leaves South Beach for the bright lights of Las Vegas. Wilkins agreed to a four-year, $110 million contract with the Raiders. He had nine sacks with Miami last season. 

The best linebacker available in free agency signed a new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens declined the fifth-year option on Patrick Queen’s rookie deal after they spent a big chunk of change to keep Roquan Smith. Queen inked a new three-year deal with the Steelers that will pay him a total of $41 million. Queen joins a defensive unit that includes former NFL Defensive Player of the Year and 2023 NFL sack leader TJ Watt.