Boy did I miss the NFL.
While the National Football League doesn’t officially designate today as “signing day”, it marks the first time that teams are able to reach contractual agreements with players set to be unrestricted free agents once their 2023 contracts expire.
Even with an electric UFC card, a heated UNC vs Duke matchup, and plenty of other sports news from this past weekend, the only thing to be found throughout sports media were the rumors and deals made today in the NFL.
And man there were a lot of deals:
Nine-time Pro-Bowl QB and former Super-Bowl champ Russell Wilson plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per league sources. Wilson will sign a team-friendly, one-year deal in which the Broncos will wind up paying $38 million of his salary while Wilson wears the black and… pic.twitter.com/eqQC8w0tIK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
WR Kendrick Bourne is re-signing a three-year deal worth up to $33 million with the New England Patriots, per his agent @henryorgann at @disruptivesport. Bourne is coming off a torn ACL that he suffered last season. pic.twitter.com/4eq8JGxOAP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Colts are signing linebacker Zaire Franklin to a 3-year $31.26 million contract extension. The deal was confirmed by his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln. pic.twitter.com/6I53NaKj6f
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Bengals franchise WR Tee Higgins has requested a trade, per sources. Higgins loves Cincinnati and hoped to be with the team long term, but is disappointed that the team has not had any talks about a long-term contract extension since March 2023. He’s ready to move on to a new… pic.twitter.com/T0qy7uMu8n
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Ain't goin' anywhere 💪
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 11, 2024
We've agreed to terms with @Landon_2012 on a 4-year contract extension.@Toyota | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/oQmE6vdjRG
Bills three-time Pro-Bowl left tackle Dion Dawkins is signing a three-year, $60.5 million extension, per sources. The deal is expected to make Dawkins the fourth highest-paid tackle in the league. pic.twitter.com/hcOhFisJBn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
#Titans are expected to sign running back Tony Pollard, per a league source @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 11, 2024
Pro-Bowl LT David Bakhtiari announced he is being released by the Green Bay Packers. https://t.co/RH4NOZhYS9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Former Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins is signing a 4-year, $110 million base value deal that includes $84.75M million guaranteed with the Raiders, per his agent @DavidMulugheta. pic.twitter.com/5Tl4heT4YN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Comp update: Jaguars are giving former Bills WR Gabriel Davis a 3-year, $39 million deal that includes $11 million at signing.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Jets free-agent DE Bryce Huff is signing a three-year, $51.1 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles once free agency opens, per sources. The deal will make Huff the highest-paid non-QB undrafted free agent in NFL history, per sources. pic.twitter.com/EkPiFlRss0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
The #Falcons are signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract that includes a $50M signing bonus, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2024
Another monster payday for Cousins, who gets $100 guaranteed — $90M in 2024 and ‘25, plus another $10M in 2026 — and a fresh start in Atlanta at age 35. pic.twitter.com/NkFNMzSjF5
Former Packers guard Jon Runyan reached agreement on a three-year deal with the New York Giants for $30 million, including $17 million guaranteed at signing. The deal was confirmed by agents Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Former Dolphins LB Andrew Van Ginkel agreed to terms on a 2-year deal with the Vikings for $20 million, including $14 million guaranteed. The deal was confirmed by agents Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Sources: The #Patriots are re-signing versatile OL Michael Onwenu, one of their cornerstone players, to a 3-year, $57M deal including $38M guaranteed. A clear priority for New England, he gets a $22.5M signing bonus. pic.twitter.com/mDpUz5CvSS
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2024
The #Packers are expected to sign Josh Jacobs, source tell me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2024
After reaching agreement today with free-agent RB Josh Jacobs, the Packers informed RB Aaron Jones that he is being released, per source. Jones now will be a free agent. pic.twitter.com/KsZAfhl5lW
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Veteran RB Austin Ekeler is signing with the #Commanders on a two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2024
After seven seasons — and 69 TDs! — with the #Chargers, Ekeler has a new home on a deal negotiated by agents Justin Ross and Greg Brookey of @DynamicSportGrp. pic.twitter.com/3oh6wOvEpZ
Panthers agree to five-year, $100M deal with OL Robert Hunt. (via @rapsheet + @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/WacoMbwTRx
— NFL (@NFL) March 11, 2024
Patriots informed WR DeVante Parker that they are releasing him Wednesday and he now has been given permission to talk to other teams, per his agent Jimmy Gould.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Source: The #Texans are expected to sign CB Jeff Okudah to a 1-year deal. pic.twitter.com/W4Rvm8JTgV
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 11, 2024
More Packers moves: Free-agent safety Xavier McKinney is signing a four-year, $68 million deal – a $17M per year average – with the Green Bay Packers. Agent David Mulugheta confirmed the deal. pic.twitter.com/tNy4F6YkHc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Source: Devin Singletary to the #Giants
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 11, 2024
Former Ravens’ RB Gus Edwards reached agreement on a two-year deal with the Chargers, per source. Edwards now will be reuniting with former Ravens and current Chargers assistant Greg Roman.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
49ers have tendered a one-year contract to restricted free agent WR Jauan Jennings.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Trade: Panthers are sending franchise pass rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants, per league sources. pic.twitter.com/363d3YmGJs
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Exclusive details on the Lloyd Cushenberry deal with the Tennessee Titans:
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) March 11, 2024
– $50M over 4 years ($12.5M APY, 3rd among C)
– $26M fully guaranteed at signing, $30M total
– $30M cash flow over two years – most ever for a center
More:https://t.co/szepRSlldu
The Bills have restructured the contract of QB Josh Allen, converting much of his 2024 compensation into a signing bonus, creating $16.7M in 2024 cap space.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 11, 2024
Allen's updated 2024 cap charge is now $30.356M.
Source: #Patriots plan to sign quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 12, 2024
A reunion in New England. pic.twitter.com/Y3qZwMSg72
Sources: The #Seahawks are closing in on a deal with Leonard Williams.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 12, 2024
One of the top interior defensive linemen in the free agent class off the market. pic.twitter.com/g4NtEF5H6Q
Buccaneers are re-signing free-agent running back Chase Edmonds to a one-year deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024
Former Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend is signing a two-year $6 million deal with the Houston Texans, per source. pic.twitter.com/8vdQSyINKy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024
Former Colts RB Zack Moss is signing a 2-year; $8 million deal with the Bengals that includes a $4.525m payout in year one, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024
Raiders have agreed to terms with QB Gardner Minshew on a 2-year deal. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/Lzy1bOgU7P
— NFL (@NFL) March 11, 2024
Former 49ers free-agent DT Javon Kinlaw reached agreement on a one-year deal with the New York Jets, per source. pic.twitter.com/ufoQmJ3LyU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024
Bengals releasing RB Joe Mixon. (via @RapSheet, @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/APhPxspxrh
— NFL (@NFL) March 12, 2024
Former Giants RB Saquon Barkley reached agreement with the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million contract that could be worth up to $46.75M and includes $26M fully guaranteed at signing, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Barkley now beats the franchise tag number and has a maximum… pic.twitter.com/d2TnEWhaQ0
After linking all of those in there, I can comfortably and mathematically say that there was a shit ton of money made by players and agents alike today.
However, if there’s one takeaway from this, it’s to get yourself an agent like Kirk Cousins’. How that man got $100 million guaranteed, never mind $180 over 4 years when he turns 36 THIS SUMMER is beyond me.
Also, Mike Tomlin can kiss his streak of winning records goodbye after that Russ signing. Watching Russell Wilson at this point is like watching Kyrie bounce from team to team spreading cancerous vibes throughout the locker room, except for Russ’ case it’s just a cancerous case of playing like ass.
Lastly, if Philly thinks that Saquon is the answer to getting over the hump and truly competing for another Lombardi, they are out of their minds. Glaring problems on the defensive side of the ball aside, his ligaments are as good as pulled pork nowadays, and there is no way he will return to his older self that shouldered New York’s offense for years. Plus, the Birds can just tush push it for more yards than he’ll average (or maybe not now that Kelce is gone…).
That just about does it for NFL news today, but come Wednesday afternoon we’ll be in full swing once trades are allowed to fly. Even though we still have six months left until the NFL is fully back, this got the juices flowing enough for me to relapse back into my addiction for the sport.