Photo Courtesy @NFL on X
BY: LAYNE HAUGHT, STAFF WRITER
NFL free agency officially opened Wednesday, March 12th at 4 p.m., meaning teams are now allowed to officially go through with signings to their respective franchise.
Before free agency even began NFL fans all over could see the non-quarterback market get completely reset with the Browns extending star defensive end, Myles Garrett, to a four-year $160 million extension with a no-trade clause and $123.5 million guaranteed. Garrett became the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history while gaining control of his NFL future within the contract.
Fellow AFC North team, the Cincinnati Bengals, placed a franchise tag on star wide receiver Tee Higgins. This would be the second straight year Higgins would play on the franchise tag, but two weeks later they reached a four-year agreement with both Higgins and his star counterpart Ja’Marr Chase. Chase will top Garrett’s record-breaking deal and will become the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history just shortly after Myles Garrett broke the record.
The quarterback hunt had limited options in free agency and trades were bound to be made. The Raiders struck first, acquiring veteran signal-caller, Geno Smith, from the Seattle Seahawks. This came as a surprising move, but the Seahawks were not quarterback-less for long as shortly after they signed former Vikings breakout QB, Sam Darnold. Darnold coming off his prove-it year with the Vikings in the absence of rookie quarterback and first-round draft pick, JJ McCarthy, played very well. This earned him a three-year deal valued at $110.5 million with $55 million of that money guaranteed to Darnold. Darnold faced lots of doubt heading into free agency as analysts from ESPN, Fox and CBS all had similar responses to his season. Many of which believed it was the system surrounding him that made him good. Darnold had all-pro wideout Justin Jefferson to throw to as well as second-year standout Jordan Addison. The Seahawks clearly saw differently giving him a massive contract, hoping he leads them to a championship.
The New York Jets and Aaron Rodgers run is over after two poor seasons as the team parted ways. Shortly after his release the Jets signed Justin Fields to a two-year $40 million deal. The former Bears and Steelers quarterback went 4-2 as a starter before being replaced by Russell Wilson. Fields former team Is yet to find their answer for a quarterback for next season, but the Jets and Steelers may flip quarterbacks as Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers have been linked to a potential signing.. The Steelers have multiple options at quarterback as they can look for another veteran quarterback to bring in or they may select who they hope will be their quarterback of the future in the upcoming NFL draft.
Teams like the Commanders and Eagles will be two teams to keep an eye out for moving forward. The Eagles look to remain on top coming off a Super Bowl season, so NFL fans may see them make a move.The Commanders look to get back to the NFC Championship and take down their division rival. AFC teams like the Bengals and the Chiefs are two teams that could be active still in free agency at one point or another. Both have had lackluster productivity thus far with both teams losing key roles to their teams in the process. The Bengals will look to crack their way back into the playoffs as they have a star studded offense; however, they are lackluster on the defensive side.
The Buffalo Bills signed long-time Chargers pass rusher Joey Bosa to a one-year, $12.5 million deal. This signing came after Bosa was rumored to have been signing with his brother Nick’s team, the San Francisco 49ers, but the deal never crossed the finish line. The Bills have also signed the likes of Larry Ogunjobi, Dane Jackson and Joshua Palmer, while also retaining backup running back Ty Johnson.
The first wave of free agency seems to be over but heavy hitters remain unsigned. Former stars still looking for teams to call home include Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs, Rasul Douglas, Cam Robinson, Teven Jenkins and Asante Samuel Jr. Keep an eye out for contending teams to sign the former stars to help make a Super Bowl push.
