NFL Free Agency: A Week of Moves, Surprises, and Strategic Plays
The first week of NFL free agency has come and gone, and what a whirlwind it was! All 32 teams were busy making moves, whether it was to strengthen their rosters or to maintain the status quo. The quarterback carousel was particularly active, with Justin Fields, Geno Smith, and Sam Darnold all finding new homes. Meanwhile, teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals focused on retaining key players, with the Ravens bringing back Ronnie Stanley and the Bengals securing deals with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
For teams in desperate need of a quarterback, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings, the waiting game continues as Aaron Rodgers contemplates his future. Our NFL Nation writers have been hard at work, analyzing the moves and breaking down the impact on all 32 teams. So, which teams hit their targets, which suffered significant losses, and what challenges remain?
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
The Bills made some significant additions, including Joey Bosa (DE) and Joshua Palmer (WR), while losing Von Miller (DE) and Mack Hollins (WR). Did they hit their free agency goals? Largely, yes. The Bills addressed key positions and added talent, although there’s still work to be done with two defensive linemen facing suspensions. The biggest remaining question is at outside corner, with Rasul Douglas still a free agent and Kaiir Elam traded to the Cowboys.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins added Zach Wilson (QB), James Daniels (OG), and Ifeatu Melifonwu (S), while losing Jevon Holland (S), Raheem Mostert (RB), and Braxton Berrios (WR). Miami wasn’t looking to make a big splash in free agency, focusing instead on the offensive line and secondary depth. The biggest remaining question is finding a starting cornerback opposite Jalen Ramsey.
New England Patriots
The Patriots brought in Milton Williams (DT), Carlton Davis III (CB), and Harold Landry III (LB), but lost Jacoby Brissett (QB), Jonathan Jones (CB/S), and Deatrich Wise Jr. (DE). They didn’t fully hit their free agency goals, missing out on Ronnie Stanley and Chris Godwin. The biggest remaining questions are at left tackle and receiver, with limited options left in free agency.
New York Jets
The Jets added Justin Fields (QB), Brandon Stephens (CB), and Andre Cisco (S), while losing Aaron Rodgers (QB), Davante Adams (WR), and D.J. Reed (CB). If the goal was to replace older talent with younger depth, the Jets succeeded. However, they still have holes at WR, TE, RT, DT, and S, and need a strong draft to fill these gaps.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens re-signed Ronnie Stanley (OT) and added DeAndre Hopkins (WR) and Cooper Rush (QB), but lost Patrick Mekari (OL), Brandon Stephens (CB), and Malik Harrison (LB). They haven’t fully addressed their defensive holes, particularly at cornerback, inside linebacker, safety, and edge rusher.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals secured B.J. Hill (DT), T.J. Slaton (DT), and Mike Gesicki (TE), while losing Alex Cappa (OG), Sheldon Rankins (DT), and Sam Hubbard (DT). They locked up key players like Chase and Higgins but still need to address offensive guard, defensive end, and linebacker positions.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns added Kenny Pickett (QB), Cornelius Lucas (OT), and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (OLB), while losing Dalvin Tomlinson (DT), Juan Thornhill (S), and James Hudson III (OT). The quarterback situation remains a significant question, with Russell Wilson’s situation worth monitoring.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers brought in Darius Slay Jr. (CB), Mason Rudolph (QB), and DK Metcalf (WR), but lost Justin Fields (QB), Najee Harris (RB), and James Daniels (G). The biggest question remains at quarterback, with the team waiting on Aaron Rodgers’ decision.
AFC South
Houston Texans
The Texans added Laken Tomlinson (G), C.J. Gardner-Johnson (S), and Christian Kirk (WR), while losing Laremy Tunsil (LT) and Stefon Diggs (WR). The offensive line remains a significant question, with only one proven starter.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts secured Charvarius Ward (CB), Camryn Bynum (S), and Daniel Jones (QB), while losing Dayo Odeyingbo (DE), Will Fries (G), and Ryan Kelly (C). Tight end remains a weak spot, with the team likely looking to the draft for a solution.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars added Jourdan Lewis (CB) and Patrick Mekari (RG), while losing Christian Kirk (WR) and Evan Engram (TE). They still need to find an additional pass rusher to support Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans brought in Dan Moore Jr. (OT) and Kevin Zeitler (G), while losing Harold Landry III (LB) and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR). The quarterback position remains a question, with Brandon Allen and Will Levis currently in the mix.
AFC West
Denver Broncos
The Broncos added Evan Engram (TE), Talanoa Hufanga (S), and Dre Greenlaw (LB), while losing Cody Barton (LB), Javonte Williams (RB), and Zach Wilson (QB). Running back remains a significant question, with the team likely looking to the draft for solutions.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs secured Jaylon Moore (OT) and Kristian Fulton (CB), while losing Joe Thuney (G), Tershawn Wharton (DT), and Justin Reid (S). The offensive line remains a question, with unproven players filling key spots.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders added Geno Smith (QB), Raheem Mostert (RB), and Jeremy Chinn (S), while losing Tre’von Moehrig (S), Robert Spillane (ILB), and Nate Hobbs (CB). The biggest question is whether the Raiders will draft a quarterback to secure their future at the position.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers brought in Mekhi Becton (OG), Najee Harris (RB), and Mike Williams (WR), while losing Poona Ford (DT) and Kristian Fulton (CB). Wide receiver and tight end remain areas of concern, with the team likely looking to the draft for solutions.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys added Solomon Thomas (DL) and Kenneth Murray Jr. (LB), while losing DeMarcus Lawrence (DE), Jourdan Lewis (CB), and Chauncey Golston (DL). The biggest question is where they will find a receiver, with a trade or draft pick possible.
New York Giants
The Giants secured Paulson Adebo (CB), Jevon Holland (S), and Darius Slayton (WR), while losing Azeez Ojulari (OLB) and Jason Pinnock (S). The quarterback position remains a significant question, with the team waiting on Aaron Rodgers’ decision.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles focused on keeping their core together, re-signing Zack Baun and bringing in players on one-year deals. Safety remains a question, with the team likely adding competition before the season starts.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders added Deebo Samuel (WR), Laremy Tunsil (LT), and Javon Kinlaw (DL), while losing Dante Fowler Jr. (DE), Dyami Brown (WR), and Jeremy Chinn (S). Edge rusher remains a question, with the team likely looking to the draft for solutions.
NFC North
Chicago Bears
The Bears added Drew Dalman (C), Grady Jarrett (DT), and Dayo Odeyingbo (DE), while losing Keenan Allen (WR), Teven Jenkins (LG), and DeMarcus Walker (DE). The biggest question is when the Bears will add a running back, with the draft a likely option.
Detroit Lions
The Lions added D.J. Reed (CB), while losing Carlton Davis III (CB), Za’Darius Smith (DE), and Kevin Zeitler (OL). Defensive end remains a question, with the team likely looking to the draft for solutions.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers secured Nate Hobbs (CB) and Aaron Banks (OL), while losing T.J. Slaton (DT), Josh Myers (C), and AJ Dillon (RB). The biggest question is whether the Packers will draft a receiver in the first round.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings added Jonathan Allen (DT), Ryan Kelly (C), and Will Fries (G), while losing Sam Darnold (QB), Cam Bynum (S), and Nick Mullens (QB). Cornerback remains a question, with the team re-signing Byron Murphy Jr. and adding Isaiah Rodgers.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons added Leonard Floyd (EDGE), while losing Grady Jarrett (DT) and Drew Dalman (C). Edge rusher remains a question, with the team likely looking to the draft for solutions.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers added Bobby Brown III (DT), Tre’von Moehrig (S), and Tershawn Wharton (DE), while losing Johnny Hekker (P), Lonnie Johnson (S), and Xavier Woods (S). Finding a long-term solution with a young, dynamic edge rusher is key to the success of Carolina’s 3-4 scheme.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints added Justin Reid (S), while losing Paulson Adebo (CB), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR), and Will Harris (S). Left guard remains a question, with the team likely looking to the draft for solutions.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers added Haason Reddick (OLB), Kindle Vildor (CB), and Charlie Heck (OT), while losing Robert Hainsey (C), Justin Skule (OT), and Tavierre Thomas (DB). Cornerback remains a question, with the team likely looking to the draft for solutions.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals added Josh Sweat (OLB), Dalvin Tomlinson (DT), and Akeem Davis-Gaither (ILB), while losing Naquan Jones (DL), Roy Lopez (DL), and Khyiris Tonga (DL). Wide receiver remains a question, with the team likely looking to the draft for solutions.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams added Davante Adams (WR) and Poona Ford (DT), while losing Cooper Kupp (WR), Bobby Brown III (DT), and Demarcus Robinson (WR). The biggest question is whether the Rams are done adding on defense through free agency or will wait for the draft.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers added Demarcus Robinson (WR), Luke Farrell (TE), and Mac Jones (QB), while losing Deebo Samuel Sr. (WR), Dre Greenlaw (LB), and Talanua Hufanga (S). Defensive line remains a question, with the team likely looking to the draft for solutions.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks added Sam Darnold (QB), Cooper Kupp (WR), and DeMarcus Lawrence (DE), while losing Geno Smith (QB), DK Metcalf (WR), and Tyler Lockett (WR). The biggest question is the offensive line, with the team likely looking to the draft for solutions.
Originally Written by: NFL Nation
