The NFL’s new league year begins on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Eastern, marking the official start of free agency. However, players eligible for unrestricted free agency began negotiating with other teams on Monday - exclusively through their agents. Deals cannot be finalized until Wednesday. We’re tracking the most significant moves.
Sam Darnold agrees to $100 million deal with Seahawks
Sam Darnold turned his career-revitalizing season with the Minnesota Vikings into a significant free-agent payday and a starting quarterback job with the Seattle Seahawks.
Darnold, one of the top quarterbacks on the NFL’s unrestricted free-agent market, agreed to a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seahawks, including $55 million guaranteed, according to a person familiar with the deliberations. The move came as the league’s two-day negotiating period for free agents began on Monday. The deal cannot become official until Wednesday.
He leaves the Vikings, who declined to use the franchise tag to limit his free-agent mobility, and replaces Geno Smith in Seattle. The Seahawks previously agreed to trade Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round draft pick. They also released wide receiver Tyler Lockett and agreed to trade DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second-round choice and a swap of late-round picks.
Darnold thrived last season with the Vikings after becoming their unquestioned starter when rookie J.J. McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury in a preseason game. Darnold threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns during a 14-3 regular season. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl and finished third in NFL Comeback Player of the Year voting. He also received three fifth-place votes for the MVP award, while Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell was named NFL Coach of the Year.
But the Vikings were outscored 58-18 over back-to-back road losses to the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams to end the season. The first loss cost them the NFC North title and the conference’s No. 1 playoff seed, while the second - an opening-round playoff defeat - was moved to Arizona because of wildfires in Los Angeles. Darnold completed just 18 of 41 passes against the Lions. He threw an interception, lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown and was sacked nine times against the Rams.
Darnold spent his first three NFL seasons with the New York Jets after being selected third overall in the 2018 draft. He did not develop into the franchise quarterback the Jets envisioned, then spent two seasons with the Carolina Panthers and one year as Brock Purdy’s backup with the San Francisco 49ers. He signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings last offseason after Kirk Cousins departed for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.
Darnold’s exit could leave the Vikings turning to McCarthy as their starter next season. They might also consider re-signing Daniel Jones, the former New York Giants starter who finished the season with Minnesota. Using the franchise tag on Darnold would have given him a one-year, $40.242 million deal.
Justin Fields to the Jets on a two-year deal
Justin Fields is headed to the New York Jets as the NFL’s quarterback reshuffling continues.
Fields agreed to a two-year deal with the Jets, a person familiar with the situation confirmed. The move came as the league’s negotiating period for unrestricted free agents began on Monday. The deal cannot become official until Wednesday, when free agency formally opens. Fields’ contract reportedly is worth $40 million over two seasons, with $30 million guaranteed.
He leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers after one season and replaces Aaron Rodgers in New York.
Fields, 26, will be on his third NFL team. He began his career with three seasons in Chicago after the Bears selected him 11th overall in the 2021 draft. They traded him to the Steelers last offseason before selecting Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick.
Fields started the first six games last season as Steelers newcomer Russell Wilson dealt with a calf injury. Pittsburgh won four of those six games, but Coach Mike Tomlin benched Fields in favor of Wilson. The Steelers reached the playoffs but faltered down the stretch, losing an opening-round game to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Steelers had expressed interest in re-signing either Fields or Wilson. Instead, Fields joins the Jets as part of their overhaul under new coach Aaron Glenn and new general manager Darren Mougey. The team informed Rodgers last month that they would move on from him following his two-year stint. The Jets went 5-12 last season and missed the playoffs for a 14th straight year. They hold the seventh pick in this year’s draft.
Browns getting Kenny Pickett from Eagles
The Cleveland Browns took a first step toward addressing their quarterback situation.
They agreed to trade for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett, according to two people with knowledge of the deal.
The Eagles will receive quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round draft pick. The trade cannot become official until Wednesday.
Pickett spent last season with the Eagles as Jalen Hurts’ backup. He started their Week 17 win over the Dallas Cowboys, which clinched the NFC East title, after Hurts suffered a concussion. Pickett made 24 starts for the Pittsburgh Steelers over his first two NFL seasons after they selected him in the first round of the 2022 draft. The Steelers traded him to the Eagles last offseason.
The Browns need a starter, with Deshaun Watson expected to miss most or all of the 2025 season after rupturing his right Achilles tendon for the second time. They have the No. 2 pick in the draft and could select a quarterback. Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders are among the top prospects available.
Even if the Browns draft a quarterback, Pickett could compete for the season-opening starting job.
In Philadelphia, Tanner McKee could take over as Hurts’ primary backup. He started the regular-season finale after Pickett suffered a rib injury, and Coach Nick Sirianni opted to rest many starters with the Eagles locked into the NFC’s No. 2 playoff seed.
Zach Wilson to Dolphins
Free-agent quarterback Zach Wilson is expected to sign with the Miami Dolphins, a person with knowledge of the matter confirmed.
The former No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft by the New York Jets is leaving the Denver Broncos to become Tua Tagovailoa’s prospective backup in Miami.
Wilson spent three seasons with the Jets after being drafted in 2021. He made 33 starts but failed to become the franchise quarterback they envisioned. The Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers before the 2023 season to replace Wilson as the starter. But Wilson ended up making 11 starts that year after Rodgers suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in his left leg on opening night.
Wilson did not play last season for the Broncos, serving as a reserve behind rookie starter Bo Nix. But his year learning from Broncos Coach Sean Payton could prove valuable.
Josh Dobbs to Patriots
Quarterback Josh Dobbs agreed to a two-year deal with the New England Patriots in free agency.
He is expected to back up Drake Maye in New England. Dobbs’ agent, Mike McCartney, announced the agreement on social media.
Dobbs spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers. He has made 15 starts during an NFL career that has also included stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings, among other teams.
Eagles lose Josh Sweat, Milton Williams
The Philadelphia Eagles had one of the NFL’s deepest and most talented rosters last season, using it to win the second Super Bowl title in franchise history. General Manager Howie Roseman has been particularly adept at strengthening the team’s offensive and defensive lines, a roster-building approach he says he learned from former Eagles coach Andy Reid.
Two free agents from the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning team cashed in on Monday, agreeing to lucrative deals with other teams.
Pass rusher Josh Sweat agreed to a four-year, $76.4 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals, including $41 million guaranteed. Sweat leaves the Eagles after seven seasons, totaling 43 sacks. He recorded 2.5 sacks in their Super Bowl victory last month over Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs.
Defensive tackle Milton Williams agreed to a four-year deal with the New England Patriots, reportedly worth $104 million, with $63 million guaranteed. He departs after four seasons and had two sacks in the Super Bowl.
Chargers keep Khalil Mack
The Los Angeles Chargers parted with one prominent pass rusher but are keeping another, agreeing to a one-year, $18 million guaranteed contract to re-sign Khalil Mack, according to a person familiar with the deal.
The agreement on Monday removes Mack, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, from the free-agent market.
The Chargers previously released five-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Joey Bosa but are retaining Mack ahead of Coach Jim Harbaugh’s second season with the franchise. Mack had six sacks last season and earned his ninth Pro Bowl selection as the Chargers went 11-6 and reached the AFC playoffs in Harbaugh’s return to the NFL.
Mack, 34, has 107.5 sacks over 11 NFL seasons with the Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears and Chargers. He was named Defensive Player of the Year for the 2016 season while with the Raiders.
Bucs add Reddick, keep Godwin
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were active early in free agency.
They agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract with pass rusher Haason Reddick, according to a person familiar with the terms. The deal includes $12 million guaranteed. Reddick and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, moved quickly after the NFL’s free-agent negotiating period began on Monday.
Reddick leaves the New York Jets after one season. He had one sack in 10 games after holding out into the regular season due to a contract dispute. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, he has 59 sacks over eight NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles and Jets.
The Buccaneers also agreed to a deal, reportedly worth $66 million over three seasons, to re-sign wide receiver Chris Godwin. The former Pro Bowler has spent his entire eight-year career with Tampa Bay. He had 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns over seven games in an injury-shortened 2024 season.
Rams retain Garoppolo
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is staying with the Los Angeles Rams as Matthew Stafford’s backup.
Garoppolo agreed to a one-year deal to re-sign with the team, a person familiar with the deliberations confirmed.
It will be his second season with the Rams after previous stints with the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders.
The Rams earlier agreed to a revised contract with Stafford to retain him rather than exploring trade offers.
Titans fortify offensive line
The Tennessee Titans landed one of the top offensive tackles in free agency.
They agreed to a four-year, $82 million deal with left tackle Dan Moore, according to a person with knowledge of the deliberations. The contract includes $50 million guaranteed.
Moore leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers after four seasons, during which he made 66 starts. The deal with the Titans cannot become official until Wednesday.
The Titans are in the market for a quarterback. They hold the No. 1 pick in April’s draft.
Seahawks set to trade DK Metcalf to Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have another standout wide receiver, and DK Metcalf has a new team.
The Seattle Seahawks agreed to trade Metcalf to the Steelers for a second-round draft pick, a person familiar with the deliberations confirmed on Sunday night. The deal is also expected to include an exchange of late-round picks.
The trade cannot become official until Wednesday.
Metcalf requested a trade from the Seahawks. The deal follows a season in which he recorded 66 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Metcalf spent six seasons with Seattle, posting three 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He totaled 438 catches for 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns. He is expected to sign a new contract with the Steelers in conjunction with the trade, reportedly worth $150 million over five seasons.
The trade follows the Seahawks’ release of wide receiver Tyler Lockett and their agreement to send quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick.
The Steelers spent much of last year trying to add a wideout to pair with George Pickens. They attempted but failed to trade for the San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk. It remains unclear which quarterback will be throwing passes to Pickens and Metcalf next season. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are free agents after spending last season with the Steelers.
Josh Allen agrees to new deal with Bills with record guarantee
The Buffalo Bills rewarded quarterback Josh Allen for his NFL MVP season with a record-setting contract.
Allen and the Bills agreed to a six-year, $330 million deal, a person familiar with the terms confirmed on Sunday night. It includes $250 million guaranteed, the most ever in an NFL contract.
The Bills announced the agreement without specifying financial details. The deal keeps Allen under contract through the 2030 season, the team said. He had four years remaining on his previous contract.
The $55 million average annual value of Allen’s contract does not surpass the record $60 million average of Dak Prescott’s four-year, $240 million extension with the Dallas Cowboys in September. However, the guaranteed amount exceeds the $230 million in Deshaun Watson’s fully guaranteed five-year contract with the Cleveland Browns.
Allen’s $55 million average matches the extensions signed by quarterbacks Joe Burrow with the Cincinnati Bengals, Trevor Lawrence with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Jordan Love with the Green Bay Packers.
Allen won his first MVP award last month, edging Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.