Free Agent Frenzy ✍️

03/14/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Raiders, Broncos, Bears & Falcons Headline Biggest Winners on Opening Day of NFL Free Agency

It’s a free agency frenzy! The NFL’s free agent window doesn’t officially open until Wednesday, but yesterday marked the open “tampering window.” Players won’t sign on the dotted line until tomorrow, but that didn’t stop the free agency from exploding as soon as the unofficial window opened. And before you ask… No, Aaron Rodgers hasn’t made an announcement — although a few Jets players made cryptic social media posts suggesting some exciting news.

 

Almost immediately, the top free agents went flying off the board, including DT Javon Hargrave (49ers), QB Jimmy Garoppolo (Raiders), S Jessie Bates III (Falcons), LB Tremaine Edwards (Bears), and many more. The AFC West was the busiest division with the Raiders and Broncos making splashes — Denver allocated over $200 million collectively on five different players. The Bears and Falcons were also big winners on the defensive side of the ball. Here are the biggest free-agent signings from Monday.

 

NFL Free-Agent Tracker 

 

QB Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers) → Raiders

Contract: 3 Years, $72.5 Million

 

DT Javon Hargrave (Eagles) → 49ers

Contract: 4 Years, $84 Million

 

OT Jawaan Taylor (Jaguars) → Chiefs

Contract: 4 Years, $80 Million

 

OT Mike McGlinchey (49ers) → Broncos

Contract: 5 Years, $87.5 Million

 

DL Zach Allen (Cardinals) → Broncos

Contract: 3 Years, $45.7 Million

 

LB Tremaine Edmunds (Bills) → Bears

Contract: 4 Years, $72 Million

 

LB T.J. Edwards (Eagles) → Bears

Contract: 3 Years, $19.5 Million

 

S Jessie Bates III (Bengals) → Falcons

Contract: 4 Years, $64 Million

 

DL David Onyemata (Saints) → Falcons

Contract: 3 Years, $35 Million

 

DT Dalvin Tomlinson (Vikings) → Browns

Contract: 4 Years, $57 Million

 

Backup Quarterbacks On The Move

Jarrett Stidham (Raiders) → Broncos

Mike White (Jets) → Dolphins

Sam Darnold (Panthers) → 49ers

 

Players Who Re-Signed With Former Teams

QB Daniel Jones (Giants): 4 Years, $160 Million

OG Chris Lindstrom (Falcons): 5 Years, $105 Million

QB Geno Smith (Seahawks): 3 Years, $75 Million

DT Daron Payne (Commanders): 4 Years, $90 Million

CB Jonathan Jones (Patriots): 2 Years, $20 Million

QB Quincy Williams (Jets): 3 Years, $18 Million

 

Recent Trades

Bears Acquire WR D.J. Moore From Panthers

Dolphins Acquire CB Jalen Ramsey From Rams

Falcons Acquire TE Jonnu Smith From Patriots

 

Additional Storylines

SI: 2023 NFL Free Agency Grades: Analyzing Every Major Move

B/R: 3 Instant Reactions to Jimmy Garoppolo Reuniting With Josh McDaniels in Vegas

Yahoo! Sports: Jets Have Gone From Wanting Aaron Rodgers to Needing Him

NFL: Ravens Release Veteran DL Calais Campbell After 15 Seasons

 

Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images