The Busiest Week of the NFL Offseason is Here!
The most hectic week of the NFL offseason has arrived! With free agency negotiations kicking off on Monday and the new league year officially starting on Wednesday, teams across the league are facing major decisions.
Last week’s franchise tag deadline came and went with minimal drama. Only two players—Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins—received the franchise tag, marking the lowest number in 31 years and well below the 9.2-player average from 2020 to 2024.
A comparatively weak free-agent class, especially at the top, is suggested by this decline. It also demonstrates that teams are making the effort to sign long-term contracts with their top players. With many players re-signing before free agency, the market has shrunk even further.
Quarterback Uncertainty for Several Teams
Several teams are grappling with quarterback dilemmas, including the New York Giants, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, and Cleveland Browns. However, no available free agent or draft prospect comes without concerns.
Sam Darnold (ranked No. 4) is the only quarterback in the top 10 free agents but didn’t make it to the highest tier.
Defense Dominates Free Agency
The strength of this free-agent class lies in defense, especially after many starting-caliber offensive linemen re-signed. Out of the top 22 free agents, 16 are defensive players. Edge rushers and cornerbacks are particularly deep, with 22 players ranking among the top 150 free agents.
The official free-agency period begins on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET with the start of the new league year, but deals will be agreed upon much earlier.
The “early negotiation” period begins Monday at 12 p.m., allowing teams to discuss potential deals with unrestricted free agents before official signings are permitted. ET, permitting teams to negotiate with unrestricted free agents while prohibiting official contract signings. During this window, negotiations can take place, and verbal agreements are common. By the time the new league year begins on Wednesday, many top free agents will already have deals in place.
Players who are unrestricted free agents and have played in at least four NFL seasons are subject to these regulations. Veteran players who have been released are not bound by these restrictions and can sign with any team at any time.
Between franchise tags and re-signings, 20 of the top 89 free agents from the original top 150 rankings never hit the open market. This includes the top three players and five of the top 15.
Some notable players joined the free-agent pool after being released by their teams. One of the biggest names was six-time Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams, who was cut by the Jets last week but quickly found a new home with the Rams. The highest-ranked free agent added via release is Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (ranked No. 10).
The Athletic’s updated top 150 free agents list continues to be updated with reported signings and contract details. Only three players remain in Tier 1:
Milton Williams (Defensive Tackle, Eagles) Chris Godwin (Wide Receiver, Buccaneers) Josh Sweat (Edge Rusher, Eagles)
Top Available Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold (Vikings) - Ranked No. 4 Aaron Rodgers (Jets) - Ranked No. 23 Justin Fields (Steelers) - Ranked No. 24 Russell Wilson (Steelers) - Ranked No. 43 Daniel Jones (Vikings) - Ranked No. 44
Teams to Watch
Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings opted not to use the franchise tag on Sam Darnold, making him a prime target for Seattle. They managed to retain RB Aaron Jones, but can they also bring back CB Byron Murphy and S Camryn Bynum? Expect plenty of moves.
Seattle Seahawks: After parting ways with Geno Smith and DK Metcalf, the Seahawks need replacements. They aren’t tanking, so will they go after Darnold? If not, who will be their quarterback? And what’s their plan at receiver?
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers acquired Metcalf but still lack a clear-cut starting quarterback, with Wilson and Fields both available. They’d like to re-sign someone, but can they avoid a bidding war?
Philadelphia Eagles: The reigning Super Bowl champions kept Jack Baun but might lose several key players. Fourteen Eagles are hitting free agency, including two of the top three on The Athletic’s rankings (Williams and Sweat).
Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs have had an eventful offseason, tagging Trey Smith and trading two-time First-Team All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to the Bears, saving $16 million in cap space. They also re-signed LB Nick Bolton, but will they retain S Justin Reid? What’s their plan at left tackle? More moves are expected.
San Francisco 49ers: The Niners traded WR Deebo Samuel to the Commanders and released DTs Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins. Now, several top players are hitting free agency, and ownership appears to be tightening the budget.
Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals re-signed Mike Gesicki, leaving their highest-ranked free agent at No. 75. So why are they on this list? Because Higgins received the franchise tag but still needs a new contract—along with Ja’Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson, who might be on the trade block. Can Cincinnati keep everyone?
What About Restricted Free Agents?
Restricted free agents (RFAs) are players with three or fewer NFL seasons whose contracts have expired. They can negotiate with other teams, but their current team has the right to match any offer. If their team doesn’t match, it can receive draft-pick compensation.
The deadline for teams to tender RFAs is Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. Any untendered RFAs become unrestricted free agents.
Here are the RFA tender amounts for 2025:
First-round tender: $7,458,000 Second-round tender: $5,346,000 Right of first refusal: $3,263,000 Some notable RFAs this year include:
Jaylen Warren (RB, Steelers) Jordan Mason (RB, 49ers) Greg Dortch (WR, Cardinals) Kader Kohou (CB, Dolphins) Nazeeh Johnson (CB, Chiefs) Ar’Darius Washington (S, Ravens) With free agency heating up, the next few days promise to bring plenty of movement and big deals across the NFL. Stay tuned!
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