NFL free agency doesn’t officially begin until Wednesday, but a number of top players on the market are already spoken for.
While the league won’t mark the start of its league year until 4 p.m. ET tomorrow, Monday’s opening of the “negotiating period” or “legal tampering window” meant a flood of unofficial agreements between marquee players and franchises. Among the big names to strike agreements were QB Jimmy Garoppolo (Las Vegas Raiders), DT Javon Hargrave (San Francisco 49ers), OT Mike McGlinchey (Denver Broncos) and LB Tremaine Edmunds (Chicago Bears).
More are sure to follow Tuesday, so check back often with USA TODAY Sports throughout the day for all the latest updates:
Titans agree to deal with DL Arden Key
Key and Tennessee have agreed to a three-year deal with a max value of $24 million, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports. After a slow start to his career, Key, a former LSU standout, has 11 sacks combined over the past two seasons, including 4.5 last year with the Jaguars.
– Jace Evans
DL Charles Omenihu to Chiefs
Omenihu was “expected” to sign with the defending champions, who recently parted ways with pass rusher Frank Clark, on a two-year deal worth up to $20 million, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported. The defensive lineman recorded 4.5 sacks last season with the 49ers.
– Jace Evans
Lions signing RB David Montgomery
Detroit and Montgomery agreed to a three-year, $18 million deal, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported. Montgomery is jumping to the Lions from the NFC North-rival Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. He rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 touchdowns during his four years in Chicago. The signing seemingly shuts the door on running back Jamaal Williams, the 2022 touchdown leader, returning to Detroit.
– Jace Evans
Colts land OLB Samson Ebukam
Indianapolis has agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal with Ebukam, ESPN reported. The former fourth-round pick of the Rams spent the past two seasons with the 49ers, starting 26 games and producing 9.5 sacks.
– Jace Evans
Falcons pay up to keep OT Kaleb McGary
One day after locking down Pro Bowl offensive guard Chris Lindstrom to a big-money extension, the Atlanta Falcons again moved to retain an offensive lineman coming off a breakout season.
Offensive tackle Kaleb McGary agreed to a three-year, $34.5 million deal, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports.
McGary, 28, had been uneven through his first three years as a pro after the Falcons selected him with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. In 2022, however, he found his footing and finished the year graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 right tackle.
A devastating run blocker, McGary should help coach Arthur Smith keep the ground game running for second-year back Tyler Allgeier, who recorded 1,035 rushing yards as a rookie.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Cowboys re-signing LB Leighton Vander Esch
After locking down safety Donovan Wilson earlier in the day, the Cowboys moved to return another defensive starter.
Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch agreed to a two-year deal worth $11 million, according to multiple reports.
Vander Esch, 27, drew strong praise from Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones and others within the operation, but his price point was a key consideration for the franchise.
“I thought Leighton had a great year. It’ll all just boil down to the economics in terms of where he ends up,” Jones said at the NFL scouting combine. “He had a hell of a year.”
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Colts release QB Matt Ryan after calamitous season
For the third consecutive offseason, the Colts are saying goodbye to a starting quarterback long before originally planned, underscoring the futility of the franchise’s prior approach and the need to find a long-term solution at the game’s most important position.
Indianapolis is releasing Matt Ryan after just one disastrous season, a person familiar with the move told the USA TODAY Network, in a move that frees up $17,205,882 of cap space and takes on $18 million in dead cap. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move was not yet official.
Releasing Ryan has long been expected.
The Colts had three days left to make the move; Ryan’s salary would have become fully guaranteed on March 17, eliminating the possibility of any cap savings for Indianapolis.
The Colts hold the No. 4 pick in April’s NFL draft, and the team’s top three decision-makers — owner Jim Irsay, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen — haven’t shied away from the suggestion that the franchise plans to draft its quarterback of the future.
Brought in to stabilize the Colts quarterback position, Ryan instead wilted behind an Indianapolis offensive line that was awful in the first half of the season. The 37-year-old threw 13 interceptions, lost five fumbles, coughed up another 10 fumbles that Indianapolis recovered and took 38 sacks.
By the time the season ended, Ryan had suffered a separated throwing shoulder, been benched once by Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay for second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger and then was benched again by interim head coach Jeff Saturday.
– Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star
Andy Dalton headed for backup job with Panthers
For the next chapter in his career, Andy Dalton appears ready to take on a mentorship role.
Dalton is set to sign a two-year, $10 million deal with the Carolina Panthers, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports, positioning him to be serve as the veteran backup – and possible stopgap early-season starter – for the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
Dalton, 35, started 14 games for the New Orleans Saints last season, completing 66.7% of his passes for 2,871 yards with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Saints, however, opted to sign Derek Carr last week.
In Carolina, he is expected to serve as a guide for the rookie passer the team takes atop the draft.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Cowboys land Stephon Gilmore in trade with Colts
The Dallas Cowboys are pairing cornerback Trevon Diggs with another multiple-time Pro Bowler.
The Cowboys agreed to acquire five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore from the Indianapolis Colts, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal cannot become official until the start of the new league year on Wednesday. The Colts are receiving a 2023 fifth-round compensatory pick in exchange.
Dallas becomes Gilmore’s fourth team in as many seasons.
Gilmore has played for the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts in his 11-year NFL career. His best years came in 2018-19 with the Patriots, as he was a two-time first-team All-Pro and was named the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league in interceptions.
Gilmore has recorded 29 interceptions in 148 career games.
– Tyler Dragon
Eagles’ cornerback tandem in tact with James Bradberry’s return
At least one notable would-be free agent won’t be leaving the Philadelphia Eagles.
Cornerback James Bradberry struck a three-year, $38 million deal to stay with the team, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
Bradberry, 29, is coming off a bounce-back season in which he earned second-team All-Pro honors while working opposite Darius Slay. But after he signed a one-year, $7.5 million last season, many assumed that he was priced out of the Eagles’ range this year.
Instead, he will return to a defense that has lost several notable figures in free agency, including defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, linebackers Kyzir White and T.J. Edwards and safety Marcus Epps.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Jets fuel Aaron Rodgers intrigue with addition of WR Allen Lazard
If Aaron Rodgers becomes the New York Jets next quarterback, he’ll have a familiar receiver to target.
The Jets are signing free agent Allen Lazard to a four-year, $44 million contract, according to NFL Network and The Score.
After starting his career as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018, Lazard blossomed with the Packers over the past four seasons. He was a preferred target for Rodgers in recent years, leading the Packers with 100 targets, 60 catches, 788 yards and six touchdowns last season. His chemistry with Rodgers reached another gear near the end of 2021 when Lazard caught five touchdowns in the final five games.
Known for his dirty work as a receiver, Lazard first showcased potential as a special teamer after the Packers claimed him from the Jaguars in 2019. The Packers’ run-oriented offense will miss Lazard’s blocking, but it was considered likely the veteran would price himself out of re-signing with the Packers this spring.
– Ryan Wood, Green Bay Press Gazette
Cardinals add a familiar figure for Jonathan Gannon
The Cardinals addressed their defense on Tuesday during the second day of the free agent negotiating window, coming to terms with linebacker Kyzir White.
Jordan Schultz was the first to report the news. He said White will be signing a two-year deal worth $11 million, which will become official on Wednesday.
White, 26, played a key role on new Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon’s defense and the Eagles’ run to the Super Bowl this past season, ranking second on the team with 110 tackles from the starting weakside linebacker position. He added seven passes defensed, three tackles for loss and 1½ sacks.
A former fourth-round pick out of West Virginia by the Chargers in 2018, White signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia last year after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Chargers. He had a career-high 144 tackles for them in 2021, including two interceptions.
In 64 career games overall, he has totaled 388 tackles, 16 for loss, with 17 passes defensed and four interceptions.
– Bob McManaman, Arizona Republic
Chargers bring back OT Trey Pipkins
The Los Angeles Chargers are addressing one question up front by bringing back a starter.
Right tackle Trey Pipkins is re-signing with the team on a three-year deal, a person with knowledge of the move told USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.
Pipkins, 26, started 14 games for the Chargers last season. He was a third-round pick out of Sioux Falls in 2019.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Titans find replacement for starting LB
The Tennessee Titans are expected to reunite general manager Ran Carthon with a familiar player.
The Titans will reportedly sign inside linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair to a contract in NFL free agency, per a report from ESPN’s Dianna Russini. Al-Shaair comes to Tennessee after four years in San Francisco, where he played for the organization where Carthon worked in the front office. Al-Shaair made 44 tackles in 12 games last season and has 199 tackles with two sacks and 11 tackles for loss in his career.
Bringing in Al-Shaair offsets some of the Titans’ losses at inside linebacker this offseason. The Titans released veteran Zach Cunningham and didn’t resign David Long Jr., who will reportedly sign with the Chicago Bears when free agency officially begins on Wednesday.
The Titans have a number of starters hitting free agency this offseason. In addition to players whose contracts are expiring like Long and offensive linemen Nate Davis and Aaron Brewer, the Titans also released or are expected to releasing offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, receiver Robert Woods, linebackers Zach Cunningham and Bud Dupree, center Ben Jones and kicker Randy Bullock.
– Nick Suss, The Tennessean
Eagles add running back Rashaad Penny
The Philadelphia Eagles made a move to boost their backfield amid some uncertainty.
Running back Rashaad Penny has agreed to a deal with the defending NFC champions, according to multiple reports.
Penny, 27, has shown promise in bursts during his career, averaging more than 6 yards per contact in each of the last two seasons. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Penny has averaged the most yards after contact (4.6) and rushing yards over expected (+1.8) of any back with at least 100 carries in the last two years.
But the former first-round pick has struggled to stay healthy, playing in just 42 games in his five-year career, including 18 in the last three seasons.
There’s potential for a breakout behind Philadelphia’s formidable offensive line, which paved the way for the NFL’s fifth-ranked rushing attack (147.6 yards per game) and will return at least four starters after center Jason Kelce announced his return.
The move raises questions about the future of incumbent starting running back Miles Sanders, who is set to become a free agent Wednesday.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Darren Waller trade shakes up receiving corps for Giants, Raiders
The Giants have added an offensive weapon for Daniel Jones, and it’s a blockbuster.
Star tight end Darren Waller is coming to Big Blue in a swap with the Las Vegas Raiders for the third round pick, No. 100 overall, received from Kansas City in a package for Kadarius Toney, an individual with knowledge of the situation told the USA TODAY Network. The person spoke on condition of anonymity
The deal will be officially announced at the start of the league year Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Waller turns 31 in September and has battled injuries in recent seasons, but when healthy he remains one of the more dominant playmakers in the NFL. Giants coach Brian Daboll is a tight ends coach at heart – he’s been adamant about that, and was admittedly very hard on Daniel Bellinger last season because he saw so much promise in the rookie – so there’s little doubt that they’ll have a plan where Bellinger and Waller can co-exist within the offense.
– Art Stapleton, NorthJersey.com
Michael Thomas staying with Saints
The New Orleans Saints found a way to bring back a key target for Derek Carr.
Wide receiver Michael Thomas agreed to a restructured one-year, $10 million contract with the team, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
Thomas, who had already restructured his contract in January, had been under contract through 2024. But with the three-time Pro Bowl selection set to have his 2024 roster bonus of $31.755 million become guaranteed on Friday, there was pressure for both sides to come to a new agreement.
Thomas, 30, has played in just 10 games the last three years due to injuries. He appeared in just three games in 2022 and had 16 catches before a toe ailment sidelined him for the year.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Dolphins bring back Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson
The Miami Dolphins are running it back with their backfield from a season ago.
Running backs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson are both returning to Miami to play again under coach Mike McDaniel, whom they played for in San Francisco when McDaniel was the offensive coordinator in 2021.
Mostert agreed to a two-year deal, his agent, Brett Tessler, announced on social media Tuesday. Mostert’s contract could reach up to $7.6 million, according to ESPN. Before incentives, the deal is $5.6 million with $2.2 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network.
Wilson will also sign a two-year deal that could reach up to $8.2 million, according to ESPN.
The familiarity Mostert and Wilson provided in McDaniel’s offense helped the Dolphins to a 9-8 record last season before the team suffered a divisional-round playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Mostert, who turns 31 next month, led the Dolphins with 891 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He also had 31 catches and 202 yards receiving with two touchdowns.
Wilson, who was acquired from the 49ers at the trade deadline last season, had 84 carries for 392 yards and three touchdowns, while catching 12 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in eight games for Miami last season.
– Safid Deen
Cowboys bring back Donovan Wilson
The Dallas Cowboys are keeping a key member of their secondary.
Safety Donovan Wilson agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $24 million.
Wilson, 28, led the Cowboys with 107 tackles last season while adding five sacks, both figures representing career bests. His return assures defensive coordinator Dan Quinn a downhill tackler while fellow safeties Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker take on more expanded coverage roles.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Jakobi Meyers gets his payday from Raiders
The wide receiver market was slow to materialize, but the top pass catcher is now off the board.
Meyers agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal that includes $21 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports.
The move is the latest by coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler to reshape the offense. On Monday, the Raiders struck a three-year deal with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Meyers joins Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller in Las Vegas’ crew of pass catchers.
His departure leaves a significant hole for New England, which now no longer returns any wide receiver who had more than 35 catches or 550 receiving yards.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Buccaneers trade G Shaq Mason to Texans
More changes are coming for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The team is trading offensive guard Shaq Mason to the Houston Texans in a late-round pick swap, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.
Reports emerged Monday that the Buccaneers would either try to trade or release Mason, who had a $9.576 million cap hit.
He becomes the second starting offensive lineman that the team has sent off this offseason after left tackle Donovan Smith was cut.
In Houston, Mason might provide needed stability on the interior for a team that is expected to have a rookie starter in 2023.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Taylor Heinicke picks Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback plan might be coming into focus.
Taylor Heinicke agreed to a two-year deal worth $14 million million, per multiple reports.
His arrival likely further solidifies second-year signal-caller Desmond Ridder as the starter. The Falcons also own the No. 8 pick and could select a quarterback, though it’s expected that the top three or four passers will be gone by that point.
Commanders coach Ron Rivera had left the door open for a possible return for Heinicke, who started nine games for Washington. Rivera maintained, however, that Sam Howell would have the lead for the starting position entering the offseason program.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
