NFL free agency kicked off on Monday (March 11) at noon, and it’s already a frenzy. Wow. There are so many shockers in here, and while that’s the norm for the first day of free agency, it’s still a bit overwhelming.
NFL Free-Agency in 2024
The No. 1 biggest get in free agency right now is Kirk Cousins. He’s ranked at the top of pretty much every list of the top NFL free agents of 2024. I loved Cousins with the Vikings. He had really hit his stride right before his unfortunate Achilles injury. But, it’s apparently time to move on. Cousins is a four-time Pro Bowler and was really playing the best football of his life before the injury ended his season. He’s in his mid-30s and is still healing up from that injury, but he’s still considered the hottest free agent out there. We’ll have to wait and see where he lands.
UPDATE: Kirk Cousins has agreed to a four-year, $180M contract with the Atlanta Falcons. The deal includes a $50 million signing bonus and $90 million guaranteed over the next two seasons. That’s in addition to an added $10 million guaranteed in 2026 for a whopping $100 million total in guarantees.
We know where Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos is landing. He announced on Sunday (March 10) that he would be signing a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers to serve as their franchise quarterback. The Denver Broncos agreed to release Wilson, and because of that, they have a whopping $85 million in dead money over the next two seasons. They must have really wanted him gone. No disrespect. Wilson had been in talks with the New York Giants and Steelers and is heading to Pittsburgh. While some think Wilson has passed his prime, this is a good move for the Steeler, since they really didn’t have a good quarterback situation last year. He’s only signing for one year, so it could get them over that hump. That said, they also have a 2022 first-round pick in Kenny Pickett, who is entering his third season, but Wilson has much more experience and should perform much better than Pickett. His contract is one-year and $1.2 million.
Another big move on the first day of free agency is the Jacksonville Jaguars signing Mitch Morse. They need a stronger offense this upcoming season, so they signed left guard Ezra Cleveland to a contract extension, brought back right guard Brandon Scherff’s contract and have signed veteran center Mitch Morse. His contract is two years at $10.5 million and $7 million guaranteed.
Over in the NFC North, the Detroit Lions has re-signed veteran guard Graham Glasgow to a new three-year, $20 million contract with $9.5 million in guaranteed money. The Lions have one of the best offenses in the league, and they want to keep it that way. I’m a longtime Detroit Lions fan, podcaster and reporter, and I approve this message.
The Philadelphia Eagles are looking ahead to life after center Jason Kelce, who is retiring. They’re doing what they can to keep their offense strong. The Eagles have made Landon Dickerson the NFL’s highest-paid guard by signing him to a four-year, $84 million contract extension that has a max value of $87 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Chicago Bears have also signed former Philadelphia Eagles (and Detroit Lions) ball-carrier D’Andre Swift to a three-year contract of $24 million and $15.3 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’s a superstar running back, so he should really help the ailing team’s offensive line.