Yearly Archive 2025年3月20日

The new NFL league year kicked off March 12, but the chaos of the offseason was in full swing well before that.

We had stars receive franchise tags (Tee Higgins and Trey Smith), Pro Bowlers get traded (Geno Smith, Deebo Samuel and DK Metcalf), franchise quarterbacks receive pay raises (Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen), All-Pro edge rushers land record-breaking extensions (Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett) and a whole lot more. And all of that was before the NFL’s legal tampering period began March 10.

Once teams were able to negotiate with other clubs’ impending three agents, several high-profile deals were almost immediately agreed to. The biggest ones were the Seahawks signing Sam Darnold to a three-year contract worth $100.5 million and the Jets signing Justin Fields to a two-year deal worth $40 million. Elsewhere on Day 1, the Patriots added several key defenders for new head coach Mike Vrabel, the Texans traded their star left tackle to the Commanders and the Browns acquired a former first-round quarterback from the Eagles.

Day 2 brought even more movement, headlined by quarterback Daniel Jones signing with the Colts on a one-year deal worth $14 million. Meanwhile, the Vikings spent big for guard Will Fries and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen while the Texans traded away yet another former first-round offensive lineman, this time sending Kenyon Green to the Eagles for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Then at night, the Bills bolstered their pass rush with Joey Bosa and the Ravens added a contested-catch standout in DeAndre Hopkins.

Things slowed down the rest of last week, but there are still many big-name free agents to be had, including Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson.

From blockbuster moves to bargain-bin shopping, we’ve got you covered below with a running tracker of every team’s 2024 additions, including external signings and trade acquisitions. For more info on all the free agency deals and rumors, click here.

The 2025 NFL offseason is in full swing as the legal tampering period for free agency began last Monday (March 10 at noon ET) and the new league year kicked off Wednesday (March 12 at 4 p.m. ET).

Where are the most notable names headed during free agency? Which veterans remain on the open market? And how much are this year’s top players worth?

CBS Sports has you covered here with a running tracker of the top 100 free agents on NFL senior writer Pete Prisco’s annual free agent ranking along with notable players who became free agents following completion of Prisco’s list. Below you will also find reported contract terms for star players who have found new homes or re-signed with their current clubs.

2025 NFL free agent tracker, signings
Davante Adams, WR | Signed two-year, $46 million deal with Rams after being released by Jets
Joey Bosa, DE | Signed one-year, $12.6 million deal with Bills after being released by the Chargers on March 5
Aaron Rodgers, QB | Released by Jets and became a free agent on March 12
Javon Hargrave, DT | Released by 49ers on March 10; signed two-year, $30 million deal with Vikings
Tyler Lockett, WR | Released by Seahawks on March 5
Jonathan Allen, DT | Signed three-year, $60 million deal with Vikings after being released by the Commanders on March 7
Harold Landry III, LB | Signed three-year, $43.5 million deal with Patriots after being released by Titans
Cooper Kupp, WR | Signed three-year $45 million deal with Seahawks after being released by Rams

A ton of dominoes fell on the first week of the NFL’s free agency period, with dozens of big names finding new homes or new deals with their current clubs. But there are still some good players available.

Quarterback is the NFL’s marquee position, so it makes sense to review what transpired at that position earlier this week. Justin Fields, after deciding to test free agency despite the Steelers’ attempts to re-sign him, agreed to a two-year, $40 million deal with the New York Jets that includes $30 million guaranteed. Fields will get another chance to be a starting quarterback after going 4-2 as the Steelers’ starter in 2024.

Shortly after Fields landed with the Jets, the Seattle Seahawks signed Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal just days after trading former Pro Bowler Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders. Like Fields, Darnold will get another opportunity to lead an offense after helping lead the Vikings to a 14-3 record this past season. A few others got opportunities to compete, including Daniel Jones with the Indianapolis Colts and Kenny Pickett with the Cleveland Browns.

2025 NFL free agency tracker: Updates on top 100 free agents; Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs among best available
Cody Benjamin
2025 NFL free agency tracker: Updates on top 100 free agents; Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs among best available
By the way, Aaron Rodgers is still available.

Now here’s a look at five of the top players who are still available. It should be noted that the following ranking is not solely about talent; it’s also about market demand and the position they play.

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB
   Rodgers might not the best player still available, but he is a future Hall of Famer who plays the most important position in all of sports, so him taking the top spot was kind of a no-brainer.

The Steelers and Giants have reportedly made offers to Rodgers, and there are rumblings that the Vikings might also be in play. New York’s offer was reportedly more lucrative than Pittsburgh’s, but money is reportedly not a big factor for Rodgers, who surely is hoping to end up with the team that can best help him end his career on a high note (if he decides to continue playing).

It’s anyone’s else when Rodgers will decide what he is doing next season. Until he does, the Steelers, Giants, and basically everyone else will continue to wait on pins and needles.

The Steelers did sign a quarterback last week by bringing back Mason Rudolph, a 2018 third-round pick who has an 8-4-1 record as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback.

2. Russell Wilson, QB
   Like Rodgers, Wilson is probably not the second-best player still available. But he is possible future Hall of Fame quarterback who was named to his 10th Pro Bowl in 2024. Wilson met with the Browns and Giants last week but left both facilities without signing a new contract.

At this point, it appears that Wilson may not sign with anyone until Rodgers announces what he is doing. The Giants appear to be the favorite for Wilson.

3. Amari Cooper, WR
   He might be getting older, and he didn’t exactly light up the stat sheet after joining the Buffalo Bills halfway through 2024, but Cooper is a proven route-runner who’s still got the wherewithal to be a solid starter.
4. Asante Samuel Jr., CB
   Injuries took a toll on his 2024 season, and before that, Samuel was a hit-or-miss type of cover man. He’s still just 25, though, and flashed big-play ability over four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.
5. Stefon Diggs, WR
   Like Cooper, another former Bills wideout, Diggs is aging at 31, and he’s also coming off a serious knee injury. But he remains a feisty possession target when healthy, very capable of manning a top job.