NFL Free Agency kicked off two weeks ago and almost all of the big free agents have already signed new deals. Some teams lost a lot of good players, namely the Miami Dolphins who lost key starters DT Christian Wilkins, OG Robert Hunt, EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel, CB Xavien Howard, LB Jerome Baker, and SAF Brandon Jones. Sorry Dolphins fans, today we're focusing on the biggest winners of these first two weeks of free agency. Some teams might have found their answer at QB, or a key defensive piece that could unlock the rest of their defense, or maybe a few skill position players to give a young QB a chance to succeed early. Whatever the case may be, these are the teams that have helped themselves the most during free agency.
Atlanta Falcons
Key Additions: QB Kirk Cousins (4 year, 180M), WR Darnell Mooney (3 year, 39M), WR Rondale Moore (trade), and WR Ray-Ray McCloud III (2 year, 6M)
Key Losses: TE Jonnu Smith (Dolphins), and WR Van Jefferson (Steelers)
We have to start with the biggest potential difference maker, QB Kirk Cousins signing with the Falcons. Their QB situation has been dreadful over the past three seasons, going 7-10 in each season. Each year, their skill position players, namely RB Bijan Robinson, TE Kyle Pitts, and WR Drake London, have shown incredible flashes, but have been unable to get the ball because of the horrible QB play. With a top-12 QB in the league, these players shouldn't have to worry about that and can finally live up to their potential. They also added good WR2 options in Rondale Moore and Darnell Mooney, who should both pair well on the opposite side of Drake London. This free agency has turned the Falcons offense into one of the best in the NFC and made them the favorites in the NFC South.
Tennessee Titans
Key Additions: WR Calvin Ridley (4 year, 92M), RB Tony Pollard (3 year, 24M), C Lloyd Cushenberry (4 year, 50M), LB Kenneth Murray (2 year, 15.5M), CB Chidobe Awuzie (3 year, 36M), and L'Jarius Sneed (trade)
Key Losses: RB Derrick Henry (Ravens), DL Denico Autry (Texans), LB Azeez Al-Shaair (Texans), CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (Cardinals)
New Titans HC Brian Callahan's tenure is off to a good start after making some splash signings in free agency. The Titans main priority this offseason needed to be centered around the development of 2nd year QB Will Levis. It has been thus far, especially with the signings of Pollard, Ridley, and Cushenberry. Ridley is one of the most talented receivers in the league and could produce big with Levis' rocket arm. Losing Derrick Henry hurts, but could be somewhat offset by pairing Pollard with 2nd year RB Tyjae Spears. Trading for L’Jarius Sneed and sending just a 2025 3rd round pick was a great move, as Sneed is one of the top 10 corners in the league. Paired with the Murray and Awuzie signings, their defense will be one of the most improved units in the league. Overall, the Titans got some of the best players on the market, and set themselves up nicely for life without Henry.
Houston Texans
Key Additions: EDGE Danielle Hunter (2 year, 49M), RB Joe Mixon (trade), DT Denico Autry (2 year, 20M), LB Azeez Al-Shaair (3 year, 34M)
Key Losses: RB Devin Singletary (Giants), EDGE Jonathan Greenard (Vikings), DT Sheldon Rankins (Bengals)
The Texans are yet another team with a good 2nd year QB that needed to maximize their roster spending before their QB signed his second contract, as CJ Stroud only makes 8.2M against the cap next season. Joe Mixon is an improvement at RB as he has shown great pass catching ability and is one of the more talented backs in the league. Their defense needs more help than their offense, though, as their unit is devoid of much top tier talent. The signing of Danielle Hunter gives them a game changing edge rusher, as he should immediately be one of the best players on their team. Autrey, Al-Shaair, and Hunter should help bring their defense closer to a top ten level. The Texans seem destined to become one of the perennial contenders in the AFC, and this free agency could cement them as one.
New York Jets
Key Additions: OT Tyron Smith (1 year, 20M), OT Morgan Moses (trade), OL John Simpson (2 year, 18M), WR Mike Williams (1 year, 15M), QB Tyrod Taylor (2 year, 18M)
Key Losses: EDGE Bryce Huff (Eagles), CB Bryce Hall (Bucs), SAF Jordan Whitehead (Bucs)
The Jets needed to be all in this year, going into what could be 40 year old Aaron Rodgers’ final season. Win-now veterans on short term deals are exactly what they had to prioritize, and they have. Rodgers only made it 4 snaps into the Jets 2023 season, but I doubt he would have been able to make it the whole season behind their horrible offensive line. Upgrading it was their biggest need, and Moses, Simpson and Smith were three of the better linemen available. Losing Huff will be a blow to their pass rush, but they still have one of the most talented defenses in the league. Pairing a good defense with a healthy Rodgers and an improved line, could make them what everyone thought their 2023 team was destined to be, a good playoff team capable of competing with the AFC's best.
Philadelphia Eagles
Key Additions: RB Saquon Barkley (3 year, 37.75M), EDGE Bryce Huff (3 year, 51.1M), LB Devin White (1 year, 7.5M), DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (3 year, 33M)
Key Losses: RB D'Andre Swift (Bears), SAF Kevin Byard (Bears), Jason Kelce (retired), and Fletcher Cox (retired)
Saquon Barkley could be the key to unlocking the Eagles. He is an electric playmaker and gives Philadelphia one of the best running backs in the league, and a clear improvement over D’Andre Swift. The Eagles also struggled down the stretch defensively, but got some much needed help. Bryce Huff is one of the best pass rush specialists in the league, and although he might not be able to be a full 3 down player, his added pass rush should open up rushing lanes for their young, talented DT's Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter. The Eagles missed CJ Gardner-Johnson's versatility and playmaking ability desperately last year, and bringing him back made too much sense. This great free agency period allows for the retirements of Fletcher Cox and future Hall of Famer Jason Kelce to hurt just a little bit less.
Chicago Bears
Key Additions: WR Keenan Allen (trade), RB D'Andre Swift (3 year, 24M), TE Gerald Everett (2 year, 12M), SAF Kevin Byard (2 year, 15M), SAF Jonathan Owens (2 years)
Key Losses: QB Justin Fields (trade), WR Darnell Mooney (Falcons), SAF Eddie Jackson (cut) OG Cody Whitehair (cut)
The Bears are putting future number one overall pick, QB Caleb Williams, in a great situation. They added very good weapons in Keenan Allen, Gerald Everett, and D’Andre Swift. These players, paired with DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, and Khalil Herbert, and a good offensive line, give the Bears a chance to have a great offense in Williams’ rookie season. They also were able to improve their secondary, signing Simone Biles’ husband, Jonathan Owens, and another reliable safety in Kevin Byard. In possibly their biggest move, they were able to re-sign expected free agent CB Jaylon Johnson to a long term deal. Their defense was playing at a top ten level at the end of the year after bringing in Edge Montez Sweat at the trade deadline. Keeping Johnson should allow them to build on their end of the season run, and with an improved offense they could be a playoff team. The Bears did a lot to help Caleb Williams succeed in Chicago, which makes this free agency a massive success for them.
Which team do you think helped themselves most during the first two weeks of free agency?
0%Chicago Bears
0%Philadelphia Eagles
0%Atlanta Falcons
0%New York Jets
Photos by Stephen Maturen (Getty Images), Jay Biggerstaff (USA Today Sports), Doug Murray (AP Photo), David Zalubowski (AP Photo), John Munson (NJ Advance Media), Seth Wenig (AP Photo)
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