The NFL free agent frenzy has come and gone over the last week with star players bouncing around to new teams like a Madden franchise mode. Let’s look at where some of the biggest stars ended up over the past week.
RB Saquon Barkley: Philadelphia Eagles 3 years, 37.75M
Some would describe Saquon Barkley’s last year with the New York Giants as a ticking time bomb, which is why it came as no surprise that he decided to leave in free agency. The biggest surprise is that New York did not even offer him a contract extension despite being one of the most dynamic backs in the league. Barkley’s arrival in Philadelphia makes their offence somehow scarier than it was last season. Upgrading from De’Andre Swift to Barkley puts them amongst the top in the league on paper offensively. They are definitely the favourite to win the NFC East over the Dallas Cowboys.
RB Tony Pollard: Tennessee Titans 3 years, 21M
The former Cowboys RB decided to sign with the Titans giving them a much-needed back. Pollard had a breakout season last year rushing for over 1,000 yards and becoming a staple of a very good Dallas Cowboys team. The Titans replace RB Derrick Henry with a more elusive runner and a player who is effective in the passing game as well. He’ll most likely become the number one player on offence in front of wide receivers Calvin Ridley and De’Andre Hopkins.
RB Derrick Henry: Baltimore Ravens 2 years, 16M
The Baltimore Ravens had a top-three offence last season with the MVP play of QB Lamar Jackson and the breakout season from Gus Edwards and Zay Flowers. Adding a top-three running back in Derick Henry to the mix keeps them in the talk of Super Bowl favourites. Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews… there’s not much more to say. This team will undoubtedly be back in the AFC championship game.
RB Josh Jacobs: Green Bay Packers 4 years, 48M
This one was strange and had many Packers fans upset – not because the team signed Jacobs, but because it was followed by the Packers cutting Aaron Jones. Jones did have a down year last year but that was due to injury and a growth year with rookie QB Jordan Love. Jones seemed to be the glue between the veteran players on the Packers and the new wave of young guys, which is why the signing of Jacobs rubbed Packers fans the wrong way.
Jacobs is an excellent running back. Last season he was subpar to his standards, but he has previously shown that he can be a go-to guy. In his first five seasons with the Raiders, he rushed over 1,000 yards in three of those seasons, with 2022 being his most productive season. He rushed for over 1600 yards as the main staple of the Raiders’ offence. Although Packers fans may not be happy with the switch, Jacobs is an elite RB and fits in better age-wise with the core of this team, being 26.
RB Aaron Jones: Minnesota Vikings 1 year, 7M
After being cut by the Packers, Jones signed with arguably their biggest rival: the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers and Vikings both play in the NFC North, which is possibly the most competitive division in football heading into the 2024 season. Jones will look to gain his 2022 form in Minnesota and add to the already-loaded offence with Justin Jefferson, Calen Addison and T.J Hockenson.
QB Kirk Cousins: Atlanta Falcons 4 years, 180M
Kirk Cousins signed a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons leaving the Minnesota Vikings, which he called home for the six prior seasons. Cousins was nearly a top 10 QB last year and has proven when surrounded with talent he can be a great player, making a young Atlanta team the perfect fit. Alongside wide receivers Drake London, tight-end Kyle Pitts, running back Bijan Robinson and another offensive threat that they will most likely select with the 8th overall pick in this year’s draft, Atlanta’s offence is shaping up to be dangerous with Cousins calling the shots.
Honourable Mentions:
Joe Mixon was traded from the Cincinnati Bengals to the Houston Texans providing the Texans with a top 15 RB.
Calvin Ridley signed with the Tennessee Titans adding a deep threat to help young QB Will Levis.
WR Gabe Davis signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars to replace Calvin Ridley.
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown signed with the Kansas City Chiefs giving Mahomes another underrated playmaker.
Russel Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wilson has struggled in recent years in Denver but with a more competent coaching staff and a solid O-line, Wilson may be able to regain some of his Seahawks form.
Offensive lineman Robert Hunt signed a four-year, $100 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers O-line ranked amongst the worst in the league last year, so Hunt will help protect young QB Bryce Young.
Safety Xavier McKinney signed with Green Bay, adding to their solid secondary.