The new league year is approaching, and we’ve got NFL news flying around us left and right. The action’s coming fast and furious as players are restructuring deals, signing new contracts, finding new homes, and teams are reshuffling their rosters. As I always do, I’m going to keep track of the big ones and weigh in with my opinion on each deal – hot damn, let’s try and keep up. This is my NFL free agency tracker for 2021.
NFL Free Agency Tracker 2021
Aaron Jones re-signs with the Packers – Four years, $48M for one of the best and most versatile backs in the game. He might’ve made more money on the market, but according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, Jones wanted to stay in Green Bay. For good reason, too – Matt LaFleur’s offense is tailor made for a back like Jones.
Taysom Hill restructures to stay with the Saints – Per Adam Schefter, it’s essentially “a 4-year, $140 million contract extension” that saves ’em over $7M in cap space this year. With Drew Brees retiring, the Saints have a major question mark at quarterback. Do they roll with Hill? Or, do they bring back Jameis Winston? At least with Hill, you know you’re getting a Swiss Army Knife on offense regardless.
Kyle Juszczyk stays with the 49ers – Five years, $27M – hell yeah, I love to see a fullback used as a downright WEAPON and then get paid for it.
Shaq Barrett remains with the Bucs – Drew Rosenhaus is out here SLINGIN’ early. Barrett’s getting $36M guaranteed on a four-year (up to) $72M deal. I don’t know how the Bucs are able to do it, but they’re managing to keep their studs so far. Barrett is one of if not the best pure pass rusher in the entire NFL – a foundational piece on that feisty, aggressive defense. No doubt this franchise wants to run it back in 2021.
Jonnu Smith to the Patriots – I have to say…I am shocked at the contract that Smith got – four years, $50M, with $31.25 fully guaranteed. But, Smith is the head of the free agent tight end class, in a year that the draft doesn’t look too good at the position either (outside of Kyle Pitts). So, that’s going to drive his price up. Smith couldn’t have landed in a better spot either. This is an offense that focuses on production from the tight end position. He was asked to block a lot more in 2020 because of the injuries on the offensive line, but Smith has a well-rounded skillset that you might not notice unless you follow the Titans. This is a great move for Jonnu Smith, and a hard loss for the Titans to account for.
Kevin Zeitler to the Ravens – The Ravens were able to make this move because the Giants straight up released Zeitler back on the 10th as a way to free up cap space. The Ravens needed to beef up the interior of their offensive line, and they did just that with one of the steadiest guards in the league. This move won’t make defending the Ravens ground attack any easier.
Markus Golden to the Cardinals – I mention this one because we have so many people reading our stuff on the Tennessee Titans, and Golden was in the conversation for people the Titans should look at to help the pass rush. Golden is off the board, staying put in Arizona.
Romeo Okwara stays with the Lions – Three years, $39M makes for quite the pay day for the promising Lions pass rusher. Another signing that’s going to make our contingent of Titans readers uneasy, but there was no way the Lions were going to let this guy go, as evidenced by their backing up the money truck to his door.
Andre Roberts to the Texans – Roberts isn’t going to come in and revitalize that Texans receiving corps or anything, but he brings value in his leadership qualities and special teams work. This guy has been to three Pro Bowls as a KR/PR, and wore the captain’s ‘C’ on his jersey. He will sign for two years, $5.95M.
Jason Verrett stays with the 49ers – A serviceable corner who has been routinely slept-on. He played well for the Niners last year, so it’s no surprise they wanted to keep him in town.
Matt Judon to the Patriots – Four years and $56M holy cow that’s a boat load for a dude who seemed to be a product of his environment. Nonetheless, the Pats believe he can be the pass rusher they need to get back to being one of the best defenses in football.
Jalen Mills to the Patriots – The Pats are just passing out money today. Mills is a nice piece, and a serviceable defensive back. They gave him a four-year $24M deal as the defensive overhaul continues for New England.
Joe Thuney to the Chiefs – Patrick Mahomes gets some much needed help in the form of one of the best interior offensive linemen in the game. Thuney gets a whopping five-year $80M deal.
Yannick Ngakoue to the Raiders – Another premium pass rusher gets a deal as the Raiders shell out a two-year, $26M deal to a guy they hope will add some teeth to their defense.
Nelson Agholor to the Patriots – Where are the Patriots getting all this money? I can already hear people accusing them of cheating. Agholor comes to the Pats on a two-year $26M deal, and joins an offense that is in desperate need of weapons.
Leonard Floyd stays with the Rams – Four years and $64M sounds like a hefty price tag for Floyd, but I thought he blossomed nicely with the Rams. He’s a difference-maker at an important position and fits well within the system. The Rams had every reason to pay the man and keep him in town.
Phillip Dorsett to the Jaguars – The Jags add another weapon to an already promising receiving corps. Dorsett gives them experience and speed.
Rob Gronkowski stays with the Buccaneers – Gronk stays un-retired on a one-year $10M deal. The Bucs are trying to run this back in 2021, so it only makes sense to bring back their tight end.
Corey Davis to the Jets – Titans fans are no doubt groaning over this one. Davis gets a three-year $37.5M deal, with $27M guaranteed. There’s no way the Titans were going to pay that much for their #2 receiver. But, good for Corey Davis – he’s going somewhere where he’ll have a real shot at being the #1 guy. There’s uncertainty at the quarterback position, sure, but I’m happy to see him get the chance.
Denico Autry to the Titans – Absolutely love this move for the Titans. Everyone was so caught up in the pass rush that they lost sight of how this team needed another play-maker on the defensive line, too. I love the way Autry plays – being a relentless agitator and a guy that seems to open up things for his teammates. The Titans need a little bit of that. They get him for three years and $21.5M.
Bud Dupree to the Titans – There it is, Titans fans. You wanted your premier pass rusher, you got him. He’s one of the best in this class, and when he’s on, he’s one of the best in the league. He didn’t come cheap, though. The Titans land him on a whopping five year, $85M deal. P-A-I-D!
Kendall Lamm to the Titans – If you watched the Titans at all last season, you know how crucial offensive line depth played into the season and Derrick Henry’s 2K-yard season. With the Titans admitting their failure on Isaiah Wilson, it stands to reason that they’d add a versatile, experienced guy to come in and compete along the o-line. Lamm’s deal is for two years, worth up to $8.5M.
Jameis Winston stays with the Saints – It looks like the Saints are content with their quarterbacks, between restructuring Taysom Hill’s deal, and re-signing Winston to a one-year, (up to) $12M deal. We’ll see who the starter is when the season starts.
Carl Lawson to the Jets – The Jets beef up their pass rush with Lawson, who should thrive under Robert Saleh. His deal comes in at three years, and $45M. Well-deserved.
Ryan Fitzpatrick to the Football Team – One year. $10M. This man simply will not go quietly into the night. Yet again, he inherits a bit of a reclamation project at quarterback…so, go figure, he’s going to be an MVP candidate in 2021…
Dalvin Tomlinson to the Vikings – LOVE the way Tomlinson plays the game. He’s getting a two-year, $22M deal with the Vikings, where he should thrive under Mike Zimmer.
Hunter Henry to the Patriots – The Patriots continue to make splashes. A day after signing Jonnu Smith to a monster contract, they go and get Hunter Henry on a three-year, $37.5M deal. When healthy, Henry is one of the more dynamic tight ends in the league. It’s obvious that Bill Belichick and company are looking back at the glory days of their two tight end sets and trying to run that back….just…y’know….without the literal murder part.
Tyus Bowser stays with the Ravens – At this point, the Ravens had to make this happen after losing Judon to the Patriots. Bowser was valuable, but losing Judon made his value go up. He’s a solid piece on that defense who is an up and coming pass rusher in the NFL.
Shaquill Griffin to the Jags – The Seahawks tried to keep him, but ultimately, Griffin ends up in Jacksonville on a three-year, $44.5M deal, with $29M guaranteed. Griffin is a quality starter that immediately improves the Jags’ secondary as a difference-maker.
Chidobe Awuzie to the Bengals – The money numbers aren’t out quite yet, but this is a three-year deal for one of the more underrated free agents on the market, in my opinion. I loved Awuzie coming out of the draft for his range. Now, he’s a more seasoned corner, and should be a nice addition for the Bengals.
Mike Hilton to the Bengals – And, just like that, the Bengals have replenished their secondary. Between Awuzie and Hilton, they have snagged two of the better defensive backs on the market. Snagging Hilton from the division rival Steelers can’t hurt either.
Leonard Williams stays with the Giants – This is a deal Big Blue had to get done, especially after losing Dalvin Tomlinson to the Vikings. Williams is one of the best young defensive linemen in the game, and he gets rewarded as such with a three-year, $63M deal with $45M fully guaranteed.
Andy Dalton to the Bears – One year. $10M. Dalton is there to start, folks.
Tyrod Taylor to the Texans – Taylor just continues to bounce around the league, but this stop is particularly interesting because of what’s going on with Deshaun Watson. Taylor serves as quite the insurance policy should the Texans finally give in and move on from Watson. His deal is for one year, worth up to $12.5M.
Marvin Jones to the Jags – The Jags need to load up on offense with Trevor Lawrence coming to town. If you can get a guy as experienced as Marvin Jones in your receiving corps, why not? A win-win here. Jones’ deal is for two years and is worth $14.5M.
Janoris Jenkins to the Titans – Interesting signing here…Jenkins is still solid as a man corner, but he doesn’t exactly fit the bill of the type of guy this regime likes. Maybe Jon Robinson and Mike Vrabel thought this defense needed a little more attitude…
Emmanuel Sanders to the Bills – A lot of shorter deals for this receiving class so far. Sanders gets a one-year $6M deal to really round out that solid Bills receiving corps.
William Jackson to the Football Team – Three years. $42M. The rich get richer – the WFT defense is going to be something nasty to watch in 2021.
Trent Williams stays with the 49ers – P A Y D A Y for the big boy! Williams gets a SIX YEAR and ONE HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHT MILLION dollar deal….$138M! That makes the man the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history. If he doesn’t deserve that distinction, I don’t know who does.
AJ Green to the Cardinals – Sure, Green’s better years are behind him, but all things considered, this is at the very least adding another experienced weapon for Kyler Murray and that high-powered Cards offense. The deal is for one year, worth up to $8.5M.
Gerald Everett to the Seahawks – This is a sneaky good signing. The Seahawks are looking to add another weapon for Russell Wilson, and this should absolutely be the best quarterback play Everett will have ever had in his career.
Curtis Samuel to the Football Team – The ol’ Football Team is making some big moves, and they weren’t that far away to begin with. Samuel gives this offense a helluva 1-2 punch opposite Terry McLaurin. His deal is for three years and $34.5M.
Patrick Peterson to the Vikings – One year. $10M. The Vikings have two PIECES on defense between Peterson and Dalvin Tomlinson. Considering how the Vikings struggled at corner recently, this is a smart, smart move.
Rashard Higgins stays with the Browns – My dream of Higgins becoming a Titan is officially dead. All it cost the Browns was a one-year, $2.38M fully guaranteed deal.
Jared Cook to the Los Angeles Chargers – Out goes Hunter Henry and in comes Jared Cook, and honestly, I don’t see much of a difference if you get a healthy Cook. This deal is for one year and is worth $6M.
Kenyan Drake to the Raiders – Welp…adding Drake to a backfield that already includes Josh Jacobs might seem odd, but there’s no doubt at all about what this Raiders team wants to do on offense.
Mitchell Trubisky to the Bills – Oh, how the “mighty” have fallen…
Will Fuller to the Dolphins – Fuller is an outright weapon when healthy, and that’s what this Dolphins offense needs as it continues to build around its young quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. Smart move.
Keelan Cole to the Jets – A really sneaky solid pick-up by the Jets here. They’ve already added Corey Davis. Keelan Cole gives them another dynamic play-maker that figures to help build that Jets receiving corps into a deep, robust unit. Cole drew a lot of attention according to Adam Schefter.
Kevin Johnson to the Titans – why?
*That’s it – we made it to the end of the week. I’m done updating this post. If anything else crazy happens, I’ll write about it somewhere else. I’m going to enjoy my weekend now, thank you*
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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