NFL Free agency officially opened on March 12th, while many teams had deals done prior to this date through the legal tampering period, which opened on March 10th. For anyone unfamiliar with the term, legal tampering is a period preceding free agency when teams are allowed to contact pending free agents to begin negotiating a deal. However, any signings made during the legal tampering period aren’t official until the 12th.
As of March 13th, most of the top talent in the market has signed with a team, so the big names are gone. Here are the biggest deals through the first two days:
Josh Sweat. Photo: NFL.
DE Josh Sweat signs with the Arizona Cardinals – 4 years, 76.1 million.
Josh Sweat was one of the big names on the free agent market. He recorded 27 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, and eight sacks for the Eagles en route to a Super Bowl championship. Those are very respectable numbers and warrant a top-of-the-market deal.
Jaycee Horn. Photo: NFL.
CB Jaycee Horn reaches extension with the Carolina Panthers – 4 years, 100 million.
While this deal technically does not count as a free agent acquisition, it does have a significant impact on future deals we are going to see at the cornerback position. The Panthers extended their CB1, making him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history. The extension itself isn’t a surprise, but the money is a bit of a shock. This past season, Horn made 68 total tackles, recorded two sacks, and notched one interception. While there is something to be said for retaining your starters, unless we see an increase in production, this contract will go down as an overpay. The market has now been reset at the DB position, meaning teams with top cornerbacks, such as the Chiefs, Texans, Cowboys, and Jets, can expect to see one of these teams sign their star defensive back to avoid having another team reset the market again.
Sam Darnold. Photo: NFL
QB Sam Darnold signs with the Seattle Seahawks – 3 years, 100.5 million.
After looking like a bust with the Jets and bouncing around the league, Sam Darnold blossomed in 2024 and revitalized his career with a Pro Bowl-caliber season. Darnold finished 5th among quarterbacks in passing yards and touchdowns, posting 4319 yards and throwing for 35 touchdowns. Darnold earned his money and got it.
Milton Williams. Photo: NFL.
DT Milton Williams signs with the New England Patriots – 4 years, $ 104 million.
Before signing with the Patriots, it was reported Milton was going to Carolina, with a deal being finalized. Instead, the Patriots hijacked the deal and offered Williams a deal that makes him the highest-paid Patriot in NFL history. The interior lineman had a solid season for the Eagles, recording five sacks, making 24 total tackles, and one forced fumble. The Patriots came into free agency with tons of cap space, and they were able to address one of their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Dan Moore. Photo: NFL.
T Dan Moore signs with the Tennessee Titans for 4 years, $ 82 million.
The going rate for Left Tackles is steep; this contract contributes to that narrative. This contract seems to be an overpay by the Titans. The 20.5 APY he is earning means Moore is now the sixth-highest-paid left tackle in the league, and while he is a good tackle, he is not elite.
