Interesting Happenings On First Day Of NFL Free Agency And What's Next
The Minnesota Vikings suffered a blow with the loss of Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. The Vikings themselves admitted as much because they felt compelled to publicly explain why their starting quarterback the last six seasons wouldn't be on their roster.
So what now?
What quarterback move is going to make Vikings fans break into a signature Skol chant, complete with an accompanying Gjallarhorn?
They think it's Sam Darnold.
Yeah, that's who the Vikings are adding on a one-year deal. Darnold was reportedly weighing options with the Denver Broncos as well.
So that was two teams considering a terrific draft bust to be their next starting quarterback.
The Vikings are in trouble here. No, not because they might have lost out on Darnold.
But because they landed a player who washed out with the Jets after he admitted to "seeing ghosts." Because Darnold failed to perform for the Panthers after he was traded to be their starter. Because Darnold went into 49ers witness protection last year, but still managed to lose his only start with an eventual Super Bowl team.
Darnold, chances are good he might have to play. As Minnesota's new bridge quarterback, Darnold will occupy that space while the real starting quarterback develops.
It's clear now that Minnesota's eventual starting quarterback is going to be drafted. The Vikings have the No. 11 overall selection in the first round and they, along with the Raiders and Broncos, will probably all be involved in the rookie QB derby that will involve J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr., and maybe Bo Nix.
That's the answer to losing Kirk Cousins.
Not Nick Mullens. Not Jaren Hall. And not Sam Darnold.
The Vikings must go with the rookie QB behind door No. 11th overall pick.
What NFL Teams Need/Want In The Offseason: NFC East
Giants Exchange Barkley for Singletary.
In the 2019 draft, as the Bills were building what they hoped would be a championship team, they selected a 5-foot-7 running back named Devin Singletary out of lightly-regarded Florida Atlantic University.
Joe Schoen was Buffalo's assistant general manager then. Dennis Hickey was the team's senior college scout. Brian Daboll was the team's offensive coordinator.
And they all loved Singletary.
So on Monday, when Saquon Barkley scored a significant 3-year, $37.75 million deal with the Eagles, the Giants had an immediate response. Schoen, Daboll and Hickey are with the Giants now. Schoen is the general manager trying to manage a salary cap situation that is on solid footing but has other priorities.
So paying Barkley $12.5 million per season wasn't going to be part of that. That's the reason the Giants didn't even make Barkley a counter-offer. Or an offer. Nothing.
The Eagles are predictably thrilled about their new offensive weapon. The Giants, meanwhile, turned to the kid they loved years ago and started 56 games for Buffalo during his four seasons there.
Nobody is going to tell you Singletary is as good as Saquon Barkley. But one is getting $12.5 million per season from the Eagles. And the other is getting $5.5 million per season from the Giants. And the Giants' new running back has a 4.6 career average per carry.
And the Eagles' new running back has a 4.3 career average per carry.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 07: Christian Wilkins #94 of the Miami Dolphins looks on during the second half of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Dolphins Draft So Good, Picks Got Paid
Dolphins fans were generally wringing hands and gnashing teeth on Monday. They watched in apparent horror as significant contributors left town for big contracts.
Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, predictably, got a huge $110 million deal from the Raiders.
Guard Robert Hunt got a five-year, $100 million contract from the Panthers.
Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel got a two-year deal worth $20 million from the Vikings.
Safety Brandon Jones got a three-year, $20 million deal from the Broncos.
That's a lot of talent the Dolphins bled in one day. And Miami will replace some of that in free agency – the signing of Seattle linebacker Jordyn Brooks and addition of center Aaron Brewer will help.
But the Dolphins have reached a roster cycle now in which they will eventually sign starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to an extension. So they must draft well to keep sustaining success with a more pricey quarterback contract on their cap.
The room for draft mistakes is shrinking in Miami.
The good news?
Every one of the players the Dolphins lost in free agency on Monday was drafted.
Said another way, the Dolphins drafted well enough to have good players get good second contracts. Obviously, those contracts came with other teams. But the point stands. The draft picks were good.
This is important for a team that previously did much of its damage via trades (Jalen Ramsey, Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb) or free agency (Raheem Mostert). It has to do much of its significant work in the draft from now on.
And Monday suggests that might be fine.
NASHVILLE TENNESSEE - JANUARY 07: Denico Autry #96 of the Tennessee Titans during introductions before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Nashville, Tennessee at Nissan Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Houston, Texas. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 28-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Texans Take From Rival
The most satisfying move in free agency? The one that poaches talent from a division or conference rival.
The most painful move in free agency? Often, it's losing talent to a division or conference rival.
Welcome to the Texans and Titans experience with defensive lineman Denico Autry and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
Autry has recorded 28.5 sacks during his three seasons with the Titans, including a career-high 11.5 in 2023. Al-Shaair led the Titans in tackles and defensive snaps last season.
So, yes, their departure on Monday hurts the Titans.
Well, it hurts the Titans' locker room, as star defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons seems to believe.
The Texans believe they got stronger at the heart of their defense for a relatively modest investment. Autry is costing $20 million for two years. Al-Shaair is expected to sign a 3-year deal worth $33 million.
The Titans are hoping they can land Cincinnati defensive tackle D.J. Reader to replace Autry. Which leads me to:
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 16: DJ Reader #98 of the Cincinnati Bengals is taken off of the field in a medical cart after being injured during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at Paycor Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
Big Names Remain
The list of remaining big-name free agents is impressive. But there are reasons they're all still on the market.
Consider:
Edge rusher Danielle Hunter: It's primarily about money here. He wants A LOT after collecting 62 sacks the past five seasons and a career high 16.5 last season.
Receiver Calvin Ridley: The wide receiver position in the draft is very, very, very strong. That fact is perhaps enticing teams to wait for Ridley's price to come down – regardless of how fast and quick he is.
Edge rusher Chase Young: Huge name, but his production in nine games with the 49ers after being traded from the Commanders last season was disappointing. I mean, 2.5 sacks? He was more productive in two fewer games with Washington. And they traded him.
Defensive tackle D.J. Reader: Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo wants him back, but the Bengals are facing cap issues down the road, so he's still out there. His mid-December knee injury that knocked him out for the season also could be affecting the timing of this signing.
Running back Derrick Henry: He wants to play for a winner, and he doesn't want to sell himself cheaply. The problem is most teams expecting to win – the Cowboys, Bills, Chiefs, even the Ravens – are facing tough salary cap situations.
Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen: If new Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald doesn't at least try to sign him after coaching him in Baltimore, that would say things about the player and his current asking price.