Breaking Down Day 1 of Free Agency
Day one of NFL free agency brought a whirlwind of activity and excitement as teams across the league wasted no time in making moves to bolster their rosters. Let’s dive into the highlights and impacts of the day 1 signings.
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Kirk Cousins - Atlanta Falcons
Contract: 4yr/$180M
After a 6 year stint in Minnesota, Cousins will be joining an Atlanta team that was in dire need of a quarterback. If it wasn’t the Vikings it seemed like the Falcons were to be the front runners to land Cousins. He’ll be placed in an offense that isn’t short of talent playing alongside Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, etc.
This deal makes Cousins the 7th highest-paid QB in the league with an AAV of $45M. The contract includes a $50M signing bonus and $100M guaranteed. A full breakdown will be released once the final details of the contract are known.
Michael Pittman Jr. - Indianapolis Colts
Contract: 3yr/$70M
Pittman had a career year last season with 1,152 yards and 4 touchdowns in 16 games. He’s now set to be Anthony Richardsons’ number-one target next year.
The Colts used the franchise tag on Pittman almost a week ago that was set to pay him $21.81M in 2024. The two sides were able to get a deal done that now pays him an average salary of $23.33M. This deal includes $46M guaranteed and makes him the 8th highest-paid receiver in the league.
D’Andre Swift - Chicago Bears
Contract: 3yr/$24M
After a productive year in Philadelphia, Swift gets a nice deal and will surely be the centerpiece in the Bears backfield next season. He totaled 1,049 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns in 2023.
This deal includes a $4M signing bonus, $15.3M guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $8M which makes him the 7th highest-paid running back in the league.
Dion Dawkins - Buffalo Bills
Contract: 3yr/$60.5M
Star offensive tackle Dawkins is staying put in Buffalo. Dawkins has been a pivotal piece to Buffalo’s offensive line since 2019 and has emerged as a top tackle in the league. He remains with the Bills through the 2027 season.
This extension gives Dawkins an average annual salary of $20.16M and makes him the 5th highest-paid offensive tackle in the league. In 2024, he’ll carry a cap hit of $16.60M.
Jonathan Greenard - Minnesota Vikings
Contract: 4yr/$76M
Greenard had a great final season with the Texans recording 12.5 sacks, 22 QB hits, and 15 tackles for loss. With Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum likely on their way out of Minnesota, Greenard will now serve as their lead pass rusher.
His contract includes $42M guaranteed and an average annual salary of $19M which makes him the 15th highest-paid edge rusher in the league.
Gabriel Davis - Jacksonville Jaguars
Contract: 3yr/$39M
Davis posted 746 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2023, an almost identical year to his 2022 outing of 836 yards and 7 touchdowns. He’ll look to replace Calvin Ridley and play alongside Christian Kirk in Jacksonville.
This contract includes an $11M signing bonus, $24M guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $13M. In 2024, Davis will earn a base salary of $1.5M and carry a cap hit of $4.7M
Christian Wilkins - Las Vegas Raiders
Contract: 4yr/$110M
The Raiders have found their new anchor on defense bringing in young star defensive lineman Christian Wilkins. He’s been improving each year since he entered the league in 2019 and has now cashed in huge with the Raiders.
This deal includes a $24M signing bonus, $82.75M guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $27.5M placing him only behind Chris Jones and Aaron Donald as the highest-paid defensive lineman in the league. In 2024, Wilkins will earn a base salary of $5M and carry a cap hit of $11.5M.
Josh Jacobs - Green Bay Packers
Contract: 4yr/$48M
After the release of Aaron Jones, Josh Jacobs will now be the lead back in Green Bay. Jacobs exploded for 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022 but wasn’t as productive in 2023 totaling 805 yards and 6 touchdowns. Still a young player, he’ll look to have a bounce-back year as the lead runner in Green Bay.
This contract includes a $12.5M signing bonus, $12.5M guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $12M making him the 6th highest-paid running back in the league. In 2024, Jacobs will earn a base salary of $1.2M and carry a cap hit of $5.30M.
Bryce Huff - Philadelphia Eagles
Contract: 3yr/$51.1M
Huff recorded 10 sacks and 21 QB hits this past season in a rotational role with the Eagles. Even though Huff has only made 7 starts in his career he’s still proven to be a productive player. This signing could increase the chances of the Eagles moving on from either Josh Sweat or Haason Reddick.
This contract includes $34M guaranteed and an average annual salary of $17.03M which makes Huff the 18th highest paid edge rusher in the league.
Saquon Barkley - Philadelphia Eagles
Contract: 3yr/$37.75M
It seemed to be either the Texans or Eagles to land Barkley and the former Giants running back will now play for the divisional rival Eagles. Now with Swift gone, Barkley will be the number one lead back in Philadelphia and will look to improve upon his 962 yard and 6 touchdown outing in 2023. Even after having an injury-riddled career, Barkley has proven to still be a productive back.
This contract includes $26M guaranteed and an average annual salary of $12.58M which makes Barkley the 4th highest-paid running back in the league.
Robert Hunt - Carolina Panthers
Contract: 5yr/$100M
The Panthers added much needed protection for Bryce Young by signing an elite guard to their offensive line. After being drafted 39th overall in the 2020 draft, Hunt quickly emerged as an important piece to the Dolphin’s o-line.
The deal includes a $26.5M signing bonus, $63M guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $20M which makes Hunt the 3rd highest paid guard in the NFL. In 2024, Hunt will earn a base salary of $1.125M and carry a cap hit of $6.45M.
Xavier McKinney - Green Bay Packers
Contract: 4yr/$68M
McKinney was one of the top available free-agent safeties and with Darnell Savage on the open market, this was a need for Green Bay. In 2023, McKinney recorded 11 pass deflections, 78 solo tackles, and 3 interceptions.
This contract includes $25M guaranteed and an average annual salary of $17M which makes McKinney the 5th highest paid safety in the league.
Austin Ekeler - Washington Commanders
Contract: 2yr/$8.43M
Ekeler struggled last year only putting up 628 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3.5 yards per carry across 14 games. He still put up productive numbers through the air, but still, the numbers weren’t as high as in previous years. He will now share the backfield with Brian Robinson Jr. in Washington. I’d still expect Ekeler to be a productive back in a shared role.
This contract includes a $3M signing bonus, $4.21M guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4.215M. In 2024, Ekeler will earn a base salary of $1.21M and carry a cap hit of 3.23M.
Michael Onwenu - New England Patriots
Contract: 3yr/$57M
The Patriots stuck gold when they drafted Onwenu in the 6th round of the 2020 draft. He’s been a cornerstone on their offensive line and was one of the top available free-agent guards on the market.
This contract includes a $22.5M signing bonus, $38M guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $19M making him the 5th highest paid guard in the league.
Leonard Williams - Seattle Seahawks
Contract: 3yr/$64.5M
The Seahawks were able to retain Williams who has proven to be an important piece on their d-line. After being traded from the Giants to Seattle last year, Williams recorded 4 sacks and 11 QB hits in 10 games.
This deal includes $43.85M guaranteed and an average annual salary of $21.5M making Williams the 14th highest paid defensive lineman in the league.
Landon Dickerson - Philadelphia Eagles
Contract: 4yr/$84M
Dickerson was due for a big extension after back-to-back pro bowl selections over the last two seasons. Proven to be a huge piece in the interior for Philadelphia, Dickerson has received a major payday.
This deal includes a $20M signing bonus, $50M guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $21M which makes him the highest-paid guard in the league. In 2024, Dickerson will earn a base salary of $4.89M and carry a cap hit of $5.8M.
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Other Notable Signings
Mitch Moorse - Jacksonville Jaguars (2yr/$10.5M)
Greg Zuerlein - New York Jets (2yr/$8.4M)
Tony Pollard - Tennessee Titans (3yr/$24M)
Lloyd Cushenberry - Tennessee Titans (4yr/$50M)
Tyler Biadasz - Washington Commanders (3yr/$30M)
Jonah Jackson - Los Angeles Rams (3yr/$51M)
Andrew Van Ginkel - Minnesota Vikings (2yr/$20M)
Devin Singletary - New York Giants (3yr/$16.5M)
Denico Autry - Houston Texans (2yr/$20M)
Gus Edwards - Los Angeles Chargers (2yr/$6.5M)
Geno Stone - Cincinnati Bengals (2yr/$15M)
Gardner Minshew - Las Vegas Raiders (2yr/$25M)
Leonard Floyd - San Francisco 49ers (2yr/$20M)
Jordyn Brooks - Miami Dolphins (3yr/$30M)
Jacoby Brissett - New England Patriots (1yr/$8M)
Zack Moss - Cincinnati Bengals (2yr/$8M)
Damien Lewis - Carolina Panthers (4yr/$53M)
Antonio Gibson - New England Patriots (3yr/$11.25M)
Grover Stewart - Indianapolis Colts (3yr/$39M)
Frankie Luvu - Washington Commanders (3yr/$36M)
Za’Darius Smith - Cleveland Browns (2yr/$23.5M)
Azeez Al-Shaair - Houston Texans (3yr/$34M)
Noah Fant - Seattle Seahawks (2yr/$21M)