Kirk Cousins is set to become a free agent after getting the first fully-guaranteed quarterback deal from the Vikings. Baker Mayfield is expected to stay with Tampa Bay. Russell Wilson needs to make his next move. Joe Flacco might find a new team as well.
The quarterback merry-go-round will begin when the NFL’s free agency period starts on Monday with the legal tampering period. Players can’t officially sign new deals until the league’s new year opens on Wednesday.
While the focus is on quarterbacks, many other top players are also available in free agency.
Star defensive tackle Chris Jones leads a list that includes fellow defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, edge rushers Danielle Hunter, Chase Young and Jonathan Greenard, safeties Justin Simmons and Xavier McKinney, cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Tre’Davious White, linebackers Patrick Queen and Lavonte David, and more.
There are also many talented players on the offensive side, including running backs Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and D’Andre Swift, offensive tackles Tyron Smith, Jonah Williams and Trent Brown, wide receivers Calvin Ridley, Marquise Brown and Odell Beckham Jr., and others.
Eight players, including wide receivers Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman, edge rusher Josh Allen and safety Antoine Winfield, received the non-exclusive franchise tag. They can still explore free agency, but teams would have to give up two first-round picks to sign them.
Jones will have a chance to cash in after helping Kansas City win its third Super Bowl in five years. The Chiefs tagged cornerback L’Jarius Sneed instead of tagging Jones for the second straight season.
Jones’ asking price will likely surpass the $95 million, three-year deal that eight-time All-Pro DT Aaron Donald got from the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.
The Chiefs are focused on re-signing Jones. They can retain Sneed for at least one year at the $19.8 million tag, give him a long-term deal or trade him.
More than half of the NFL’s teams have over $30 million available in salary cap, making it a favorable market for players to some extent.
There is a lot of interest in how the running backs will perform.
Barkley, Jacobs and Tony Pollard were given franchise tags last season, but no team was willing to commit $11.9 million to its running back. Austin Ekeler completes the top six.
The Giants appear ready to move on from Barkley, who should attract interest from various teams, including two of New York’s NFC East rivals. The Eagles will be in the market for a running back at the right price, if they don’t keep Swift, who is coming off his first 1,000-yard season. Barkley would be an upgrade for the Cowboys compared to Pollard.
Henry is 30 but he rushed for 1,167 yards and scored 12 touchdowns in 2023 and has had five 1,000-yard seasons in the last six years. He would be a better fit for a Super Bowl contender than Tennessee.
NFL teams have underestimated the value of running backs to the extent that they have the lowest franchise tag number among skill players. Wide receivers now have a tag that is nearly $10 million higher at $21.8 million.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said talented players end up getting paid, including those who handle the ball a lot and are important players. He believes everyone will value players in a similar way to other positions.
No one earns as much as quarterbacks, whose franchise tag is $38.3 million.
Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowl pick, is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon that ended his season in October.
Minnesota wants to keep him, but there’s a chance another QB-needy team like Atlanta may take him away, even though he prefers to stay with the Vikings.
Mayfield revived his career with the Buccaneers, had his best season, and led the team to the second round of the playoffs. Now, he's set to cash in. Tampa Bay already re-signed wide receiver Mike Evans and tagged Winfield. They plan to keep Mayfield, who loves playing in the city.
Buccaneers GM Jason Licht said Mayfield is a great dude and teammate, setting an example of toughness and endurance for the team, despite the unconventional approach of a quarterback trying to set the physical tone on the field. Mayfield is willing to do whatever it takes to win.
Wilson has been informed the Broncos will release him after two seasons in Denver. The Falcons, Steelers, and Raiders are his most likely landing spots. If the Vikings lose Cousins, they’d have to consider Wilson. The Patriots could view him as a stopgap if they don’t take a QB with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft or prefer to let a rookie QB start the season on the sideline.
Another big-name quarterback, Justin Fields, is expected to switch teams, though Chicago will have to trade him. The Bears have the No. 1 pick and it would be a surprise if they don’t pick Caleb Williams.
More quality players could become available over the weekend as teams continue to manage their salary caps.
The frenzy begins Monday. Just one month after the Chiefs beat the 49ers in the Super Bowl, the NFL is set to dominate the headlines again.
