The Colts signed Daniel Jones to provide competition for third-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.
The Colts signed Daniel Jones to provide competition for third-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.Steph Chambers/Getty
Business was booming during the opening of NFL free agency this past week, with nearly 350 players signing new contracts (including extensions) with a total value of approximately $5 billion. More than $1.8 billion was fully guaranteed.
You already know plenty about the Patriots splurging on four new defensive starters and a right tackle. And I’ve analyzed the offseason moves for their AFC East rivals.
Let’s take a look at the other teams making the biggest waves in free agency.
Vikings: Not content with their first-round playoff exit, and sitting with just four draft picks — a first, third, and two fifths — Minnesota got to work. They focused on the middle of their trenches, signing center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries from the Colts, and defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. They also re-signed running back Aaron Jones, cornerback Byron Murphy, and safety Harrison Smith, ranking them No. 2 in free agency spending behind the Patriots at about $250 million in total contract value.
Of course, there’s still a big question at quarterback. They let Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones walk, leaving only J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien on the roster. The Vikings reportedly are interested in Aaron Rodgers, though that only makes sense if they aren’t confident in McCarthy’s return from his knee injury. But with great receivers, an improved offensive line, and a star head coach in Kevin O’Connell, they should thrive no matter who is at QB.
Colts: General manager Chris Ballard said he wanted to create competition for third-year QB Anthony Richardson, and that’s exactly what he did signing Jones. Given the contract — one year, $13.15 million fully guaranteed, with upside to $17.7 million — Jones might win the job outright, considering Richardson will make just $3.84 million and $5.39 million the next two years. At minimum, patience will be thin with Richardson.
Indianapolis also signed former 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Cam Bynum, essentially creating a Fries/Kelly for Jones/Bynum trade from the Vikings. But they haven’t made many moves to replace Kelly and Fries on their offensive line, which could spell trouble for whomever is under center.
49ers: When you spend the second-most cash ($346 million) and finish 6-11, you spend the next offseason dismantling the team. The 49ers also are clearly gearing up to sign Brock Purdy to a massive extension that could surpass Dak Prescott’s $60 million per year.
San Francisco has gotten rid of a Pro Bowl squad, trading receiver Deebo Samuel for a fifth-round pick and releasing or letting walk fullback Kyle Juszczyk, Hargrave, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, guard Aaron Banks, Ward, and several others. (Even their long snapper for the last six years). And while they have signed a handful of players, only two are making at least $5 million per year — running back Jordan Mason and tight end Luke Farrell.
The 49ers still have Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams, Brandon Aiyuk (for now), Jauan Jennings, and Nick Bosa, so they’ll be competitive in 2025. But this could be a transition year.
Commanders: The surprise team of 2024 is making shrewd moves for 2025. Washington executed two big trades, landing left tackle Laremy Tunsil and Samuel, and did it with draft picks they acquired from other teams. The third- and seventh-round picks the Commanders gave up this year for Tunsil came from Miami and Denver, respectively. And the fifth-rounder they traded for Samuel originally came from the Saints.
The Commanders released Allen and safety Jeremy Chinn, but replaced them with smart signings in Javon Kinlaw and Jonathan Jones, the former Patriot who got $4.5 million guaranteed with upside to $6.5 million. And they re-signed important veterans, including tight end Zach Ertz, linebacker Bobby Wagner, and backup QB Marcus Mariota. Expectations will be high, but the Commanders look ready to attack.
Giants: With a head coach and GM squarely on the hot seat, they rank No. 3 in free agency spending at more than $180 million. They signed one of the top safeties available (Jevon Holland), a top cornerback (Paulson Adebo), the best special teamer in the NFL (former Patriot Chris Board), a new right tackle (James Hudson), and two new defensive linemen (Chauncey Golston and Roy Robertson-Harris). They also gave $22 million guaranteed to receiver Darius Slayton, which isn’t much more than Saquon Barkley was asking for last year.
But the Giants still don’t know who their quarterback will be, likely either Rodgers, Russell Wilson, or Kirk Cousins. Their only backup right now is Tommy DeVito. They can always bring back Drew Lock, but the Giants should consider trading for the Patriots’ Joe Milton so they can use the No. 3 pick on another position.
Panthers: Coach Dave Canales and QB Bryce Young made significant improvements over the second half of last season, and Carolina is making solid moves in free agency. They re-signed a bunch of their own guys — WR Adam Thielen, CB Michael Jackson, CB Jaycee Horn, TE Tommy Tremble, C Austin Corbett — and focused their free agency spending on defense, adding two terrific players in former Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig and former Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton.
The Horn contract is fascinating. A five-year deal worth a maximum of $120 million, it has two years and $46 million fully guaranteed. But the injury-only guarantees in 2027 and 2028 turn into full guarantees a year ahead of time — 2027 vests on the third day of 2026, and so on — and the deal includes $2 million fully guaranteed in 2029. The only other free agent who has gotten a full guarantee into the fifth year of his contract is Deshaun Watson, whose contract will go down as the worst in NFL history forever and ever.
Seahawks: A 10-7 record wasn’t good enough to make the playoffs, and Seattle is rebuilding on the fly in the second year under head coach Mike Macdonald. They traded Geno Smith to the Raiders for a third-round pick, traded DK Metcalf to the Steelers for a second-rounder, released Tyler Lockett, and let a handful of defensive starters leave in free agency. Their big move was signing Darnold to a three-year, $100 million contract, essentially the same as Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield, and late Friday they added receiver Cooper Kupp.
Darnold is a risky bet — was he just a product of a great team in Minnesota and indoor football? But the Seahawks did get nearly seven years younger at QB. The Seahawks are still a little light at receiver even with Kupp — Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Jake Bobo round out their depth chart — but are well positioned to strike in the draft with picks 18, 50, 52, 82, and 92 in the first three rounds.
The Seahawks' big move was signing quarterback Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100 million contract.
The Seahawks' big move was signing quarterback Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100 million contract.Lindsey Wasson/Associated Press
GREAT UNKNOWN
Who will Steelers
have at quarterback?
The most intriguing move of the week has to be the Steelers’ trade for wide receiver D.K. Metcalf. They agreed to send the No. 52 pick to Seattle (plus a sixth/seventh round pick swap) for Metcalf, then gave him a four-year deal that averages $33 million per season, which would make him the third-highest paid receiver (for now) behind Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb.
The Steelers are putting the cart before the horse, because they have no idea who will be throwing passes to Metcalf this fall. As of Friday, their only quarterbacks were Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson. They await word from Aaron Rodgers, with Russell Wilson seemingly the fallback. Metcalf said he’s fine with however it shakes out.
“They made me feel like they had the right decision with who was going to be throwing me the football,” Metcalf said Thursday. “I’m just going to try to do the best of my abilities to help whoever they have out there throwing the football so they make the correct decisions to bring the quarterback in here.”
If Rodgers does want to play in 2025, the Steelers are by far his best option compared with the dysfunctional Giants and Browns (unless the Vikings’ interest is sincere — then they are the best spot). In Pittsburgh, he’d have two great receivers (although George Pickens may be on the trading block), a solid defense, and a terrific head coach in Mike Tomlin.
And for all of the drama that seems to follow Rodgers, he’d be the best quarterback the Steelers have had since 2018, the year before Ben Roethlisberger hurt his elbow. Rodgers threw 28 touchdowns against 11 interceptions last year, played better toward the end of the season, and most impressively was — coming off a torn Achilles’ — one of 12 quarterbacks across the league to play at least 95 percent of snaps. Now he’ll be a year removed from the injury, with a lot to prove.
He’s the best option for the Steelers, and they are the best option for him.
Who will be throwing to DK Metcalf this season?
Who will be throwing to DK Metcalf this season?Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press
ETC.
Eagles opt to
stand pat
One benefit of winning the Super Bowl — the fans don’t yell at the team for not doing much in free agency.
The Eagles rewarded their own stars by signing running back Saquon Barkley and linebacker Zack Baun to huge extensions. Otherwise, it’s been a one-way door out, Philadelphia releasing cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry, and letting pass rusher Josh Sweat, defensive tackle Milton Williams, and others find riches elsewhere. And the Eagles have spent the least money in free agency, signing only a few value players; pass rusher Josh Uche ($1.25 million guaranteed), tight end Harrison Bryant, and running back AJ Dillon.
Their one big move was trading safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Texans for guard Kenyon Green. And they swapped backup quarterbacks with the Browns, trading Kenny Pickett and acquiring Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
In any other year, Eagles fans would march to team headquarters with flaming pitchforks. But a team with Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith, Barkley, a terrific offensive line, and young stars all over the defense doesn’t need to make many moves.
Snap counts
A few notes on snap counts for the 2024 regular season:
▪ Nine players on offense, all linemen, played 100 percent of snaps, while only two defensive players hit the mark — Panthers safety Xavier Woods and Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin. Colts safety Nick Cross missed one snap, and Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen missed two.
▪ Including special teams, Panthers cornerback Michael Jackson led the league with 1,306 snaps, the only player to crack 1,300.
▪ New Patriots receiver Mack Hollins was the only offensive player to play on defense, playing two snaps for the Bills. Seventeen defensive players played on offense, led by Eagles special teamer Ben VanSumeren (22), who is listed as a linebacker but didn’t play any defensive snaps. Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick played 1,084 snaps on defense, 14 on offense, and 76 on special teams. Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones played five snaps on offense, but probably should have played more.
▪ Twelve quarterbacks played at least 95 percent of snaps, including rookies Caleb Williams and Bo Nix. Joe Burrow missed only five snaps all season, Sam Darnold missed seven, and Williams missed 13.
▪ Among non-quarterbacks and linemen, Jets receiver Garrett Wilson played the most at 96.2 percent of his team’s snaps, followed by the Bears’ D.J. Moore (93.7 percent), and the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson (93.4 percent). The Rams’ Kyren Williams led all running backs at 81.5 percent.
▪ For the Patriots, guard Mike Onwenu (93.4), cornerback Christian Gonzalez (87.5), and linebacker Jahlani Tavai (81.8) were the only players to crack 80 percent.
Quick hits
▪ The three certainties: Death, taxes, and the Cowboys sitting out free agency. Their only moves have been signing DT Solomon Thomas and G Robert Jones for $3 million per year, and trading for former first-round picks that have been busts, cornerback Kaiir Elam and linebacker Kenneth Murray. The Cowboys do spend a ton of money on their own star players, but have shown little interest in building out a championship-caliber roster.
▪ Geno Smith is an average starting quarterback, but average is way better than what the Raiders have had the last three years. Unfortunately, the Raiders let most of their defense leave in free agency (Tre’von Moehrig, Robert Spillane, Nate Hobbs, Divine Deablo), and their receiving corps is pathetic, with Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, and someone named Ramel Keyton as the top three.
▪ The weirdest signing of the week: The Chiefs giving left tackle Jaylon Moore a two-year, $30 million deal with $21.24 million fully guaranteed. This for a player with just 12 starts in four years, and never more than five in a season for the 49ers. The Chiefs certainly know what they’re doing, but considering their struggles at tackle the last two years, it’s curious that they landed on Moore as their answer.
▪ Mac Jones and Kyle Shanahan are finally hooking up four years after Jones thought he was going to be taken No. 3 overall by the 49ers, but instead was passed over for Trey Lance. Jones only got $7 million over two years, but few quarterbacks regret playing for Shanahan.
Extra points
Great observation by former agent Joel Corry, who writes for CBS Sports: Kirk Cousins would have been better off causing a stink last year instead of being a good sport when he got benched by the Falcons. If Cousins had made himself a distraction, the Falcons probably would have released him and let him pursue his career elsewhere. Instead, they’re squatting on his rights, ostensibly so they can engineer a trade or force him to take a pay cut from $27.5 million before releasing him … The legal squabble between Fanatics and Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. settled in court this past week, meaning fans can finally buy his jersey online and at the team store … One big change for Bill Belichick going to a state university is that all of his emails are part of the public record. The online magazine “The Assembly” unearthed an email from December showing that Belichick asked North Carolina to include his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, “on anything you send to me.” ... So the Boston mayoral race may include the son of the Patriots owner (Josh Kraft) and the brother of the Boston College coach (Tom O’Brien) … Rams coach Sean McVay once ran into Davante Adams at the Kentucky Derby and told him how much he respected his game and would like to team up one day. So when that became a possibility this offseason, McVay was relentless in his pursuit. McVay sent Adams a few highlight tapes that McVay narrated, then communicated with him constantly while Adams was recently traveling in Japan. “I thought he was out there too,” Adams said this past week. “I was talking to him more than I was talking to my wife.”
Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com.