NFL free agency will start Monday with what should be a flurry of deals – even if nothing is set to become official until Wednesday, which marks the start of the new league year.
But Monday at noon marks the opening of the negotiating period or “legal tampering window, during which impending free agents are allowed to contact and enter into negotiations with teams. And if history is any indicator, it won’t take long for deals to start flying, as some of the biggest names set to hit the market won’t last long before they come to terms with their new team.
USA TODAY Sports will have updates on all the latest deals and buzz throughout the day, so check back often for up-to-the-minute news from our staff and around the USA TODAY Network on the start of NFL free agency:
Eagles extend Landon Dickerson
The Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line will look different next season without Jason Kelce, but the organization is bringing back a key part of the interior.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Left guard Landon Dickerson agreed to a four-year extension, the Eagles announced Monday.
According to NFL Media, the deal is worth $84 million in base salary with $50 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus. The $21 million annual average value is the highest for a guard in NFL history. The Atlanta Falcons’ Chris Lindstrom previously held the title.
Dickerson, 25, has been the Eagles’ starter at left guard since Week 3 of the 2021 season, his rookie year. He is a back-to-back Pro Bowl selection and one of the key pieces behind the efficiency and success of the Eagles’ patented “Tush Push” short-yardage run play.
The Eagles selected Dickerson, who started his college career at Florida State before transferring to Alabama, in the second round (37th overall) of the 2021 draft.
Jaguars add Pro Bowler to offensive line
After a season in which QB Trevor Lawrence was consistently beaten up physically, the Jacksonville Jaguars have already made a move to upgrade their O-line. Per NFL Network, C Mitch Morse – another “street free agent” after getting released by the Buffalo Bills last week – has agreed to a two-year, $10.5 million deal ($7 million guaranteed). The 2022 Pro Bowler will likely displace Luke Fortner, the Jags’ starting center the past two seasons.
Tee Higgins landing spots: Which teams could be interested in Bengals WR?
Maybe the Bengals won’t be running back their receiving corps after all.
Franchise-tagged wide receiver Tee Higgins is requesting a trade amid frustration with the team regarding the lack of progress toward a long-term contract, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon. The person spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.
ESPN was first to report the news.
Higgins, 25, would immediately become the best wide receiver that could be within teams’ reach – although at a potentially significant cost. Beyond what a team would have to give up in compensation in order to sway the Bengals to part with arguably the league’s top No. 2 receiver, a franchise would need to cough up a significant contract amid a booming receiver market.
Still, several teams could be potential buyers. Among them:
- Carolina Panthers: Their interest in finding top-tier pass-catching help is well-established, and there’s likely no bigger instant-impact contributor available than the Clemson product. Strong chance that the Panthers are looking for a receiver when they’re first up with the initial pick of the second round.
- Tennessee Titans: Homecoming time for the Oak Ridge, Tennessee, native? Outside of 31-year-old DeAndre Hopkins, the receiving corps behind Will Levis is severely underwhelming. Higgins could form a dynamic downfield connection with Levis, and the Titans have ample cap space to swing such a move.
- New England Patriots: Eliot Wolf spoke of the need to “weaponize the offense.” Well, here you go. No better quick fix for a team that has been woefully lacking in support for its quarterback, and Higgins would be a major asset to any young passer who takes the reins behind center. And a big-money deal isn’t a problem for a team that enters Monday with the second-most cap space (more than $82 million) at its disposal.
Why are some free agents already signing deals?
The tampering window doesn’t open until noon ET, however some players have already switched teams. Why?
In the case of S Kevin Byard, who’s already reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Chicago Bears, for example, the Philadelphia Eagles terminated his contract early. That made Byard a “street free agent” and thus eligible to sign elsewhere immediately as opposed to waiting for Wednesday. Former Denver Broncos Pro Bowl FS Justin Simmons is in a similar situation, already eligible to join another club.
Early termination of contracts not only kickstarts the process of clearing cap space, but it’s often a sign of good faith as clubs give veterans a head start on the free agent process.
In the case of QB Russell Wilson, he can’t officially sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers until later this week as the Broncos have only announced his impending release, but it’s not yet official.
Colts bring back LB Zaire Franklin
INDIANAPOLIS — The first move the Colts made in free agency this offseason was one they did not have to make.
But it was a chance to reward a player who has outplayed the last deal he signed by leaps and bounds.
Indianapolis signed middle linebacker Zaire Franklin to a three-year extension, a person with knowledge of the situation told IndyStar and the USA TODAY Network on Monday morning. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they had not been authorized to disclose the deal, which is worth up to $31.3 million.
Franklin signed a three-year, $10 million deal in free agency two years ago, a deal that reflected his place at the time as a critical special teamer and rotational linebacker, and he was headed into the final year of that deal in 2024, a deal that would have paid him more than $3 million this season.
He has been a tackling machine the past two seasons, breaking the Indianapolis record with 167 tackles in his first season as a full-time starter, then setting a new bar again in 2023 by piling up 179 tackles. Franklin also has 4.5 sacks and 12 passes defended over the past two seasons.
– Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star
Lions solidify interior line with Graham Glasgow
The Detroit Lions will keep at least one of their starting guards in 2024.
The Lions and veteran offensive lineman Graham Glasgow agreed to a new three-year contract worth a maximum of $20 million before the start of the free agent negotiating period Monday. The deal, which is still being finalized, includes $9.5 million guaranteed.
Originally a third-round pick by the Lions in 2016, Glasgow returned to the team on a one-year deal last spring after spending the previous three seasons with the Denver Broncos. He started games at both guard spots and center last year and was one of the Lions’ most consistent linemen.
Glasgow ranked second in the NFL in run block win rate among interior lineman in 2023, according to ESPN, and allowed four sacks last season according to the Free Press’ charting of plays.
– Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
Russell Wilson to sign with Steelers
Six days proved to be enough for Russell Wilson to find his landing spot.
After the Denver Broncos revealed last Monday their intention to cut Wilson after the start of the new league year on Wednesday, the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback met with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday. By Sunday night, reports emerged that Wilson was planning to sign with the Steelers, with the signal-caller seemingly confirming the news on social media.
Wilson’s addition adds immediate intrigue for a Steelers offense already undergoing changes with the arrival of new coordinator Arthur Smith. While both coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan have backed incumbent starter Kenny Pickett, each stated their desire to bring in competition ahead of the former first-round draft pick’s third season.
The move comes at little cost to the Steelers, as Wilson was due $39 million guaranteed from the Broncos.
While starting is hardly a given for Wilson, the opportunity seemingly stands out as the 12-year veteran’s best chance to push for playing time – and on a team that has never had a losing season in Tomlin’s 17 years at the helm.
Arik Armstead set to hit NFL free agency as a cut
In an offseason in which the San Francisco 49ers look to be bringing back a sizable number of their key contributors from last year’s Super Bowl team, at least one piece will be headed elsewhere.
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead was unable to agree to a restructured contract with the team and is now expected to be released, according to multiple reports.
Armstead, 30, played in 12 games last season, missing time after suffering a torn meniscus in December. He has spent all nine years of his career with the 49ers and signed a five-year, $85 million contract with the team in 2020 after a 10-sack season.
This season, Armstead was set to have a massive $28.3 million cap hit. If designated as a post-June 1 cut, the move could save San Francisco $18 million against the cap.
More changes could be coming to the 49ers’ offensive line this week in free agency, as midseason trade acquisition Chase Young could depart.
Kendrick Bourne re-signs with Patriots on three-year deal
It might not be the kind of move Eliot Wolf envisioned when the Patriots’ new personnel honcho spoke at the NFL scouting combine of the need to “weaponize the offense,” but New England is keeping a key piece in place.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is re-signing with the team on a three-year deal worth up to $33 million, his agent said.
Bourne was averaging a career-high 50.8 yards per game in 2023 before a torn ACL suffered in Week 8 prematurely ended his season.
As New England prepares for perhaps more sizable moves to reshape its offense – the team also dealt quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday – Bourne gives the new regime a steady target alongside tight end Hunter Henry, who also re-upped last week on a three-year deal worth up to $30 million.
Still, with the Patriots flush with cap space (more than $82 million, according to Over The Cap), New England could be a major player to remake its collection of skill-position talent.
When does 2024 NFL free agency start?
Free agency does not officially begin until 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13, which marks the start of the new league year. At noon on Monday, March 11, however, players who are impending free agents are permitted to contact and reach agreements with teams on contracts.
Source link
credite