Legal tampering — or the “negotiation period” as the NFL calls it — is officially here.
From now through the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, teams are allowed to negotiate with representatives of free agents and work out new contracts.
Sam Darnold, who is No. 1 on Frank Schwab’s top 25 overall free agents list, is reportedly signing a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks, per ESPN and NFL Network.
That’s not all for high-profile QB movement: The New York Jets are reportedly signing Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. And the Cleveland Browns acquired Kenny Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick.
Pass rusher Josh Sweat is reportedly headed to Arizona on a four-year, $76.4 million deal, and eight of Schwab’s top 10 in the free agent rankings are off the board already.
And in a blockbuster move that should make QB Jayden Daniels happy, the Commanders acquired left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Texans in exchange for several draft picks.
Earlier in the day, Tampa Bay opened the negotiation period with a bang, reportedly agreeing to re-sign wide receiver Chris Godwin to a three-year, $66 million deal and adding pass rusher Haason Reddick on a one-year, $14 million deal.
Defensive tackle Milton Williams, who’s No. 2 on Schwab’s top 25 list, is reportedly headed to the New England Patriots after helping the Philadelphia Eagles and their dominant defense win the Super Bowl.
Also from Monday:
Stay updated with all the latest news and analysis right here.
NFL free agency cheat sheets and analysis
Top 25 overall players on the market
Free agent positional rankings
How does Sam Darnold fit with Seahawks from fantasy standpoint?
Patriots spending big to start free agency
Eagles losing key defensive pieces
Bears dominating offseason once again, this time through trenches
Franchise tag deadline winners and losers
Listen: Defensive free agency preview
Live159 updates
Sam Darnold to Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks have their new quarterback. After trading Geno Smith to the Raiders, the Seahawks have agreed to a 3-year contract with former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold valued at $100.5M with $55 million guaranteed, NFL Network reports.
A former first-round pick of the Jets who flamed out in New York, Darnold revived his career in Minnesota with a career campaign last season that resulted in his first Pro Bowl berth. Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, but raised concerns with poor performances in Minnesota’s season finale loss to the Lions and a wild-card loss to the Rams.
The Vikings ultimately let Darnold walk and will presumably move forward with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed his rookie season with a knee injury. The Seahawks, meanwhile, will retool around Darnold.
Sam Darnold is joining the Seahawks. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 7:17 PM EDT
Javonte Williams to the Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are getting into the mix. The Cowboys reached a one-year, $3 million deal with former Broncos running back Javonte Williams, according to the NFL Network.
Williams had 513 rushing yards, 346 receiving yards and four total touchdowns last season, his fourth with the Broncos after they took him with the No. 35 overall pick in 2021 out of North Carolina.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 7:17 PM EDT
Bills to sign former Rams DL Michael Hoecht
The Bills are shoring up their defensive line in their effort to make a Super Bowl run.
Per NFL Network, Buffalo is signing former Rams defensive lineman Michael Hoecht to a three-year deal with a maximum value of $24 million. Hoecht, 27, has played his entire four-season NFL career with the Rams after initially joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
He’s played in 17 games in each of his four seasons, including 22 starts in 2023 and 2024. He recorded three sacks, six quarterback hits, 12 quarterback pressures and 56 total tackles in 2024 as a part-time starter.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 6:58 PM EDT
Giants keep Darius Slayton
Darius Slayton is sticking with the Giants. The team struck a three-year, $36 million deal with their wide receiver on Monday afternoon, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Slayton had 573 yards and two touchdowns last season, his sixth with the Giants. He’ll now be a key target for whoever the Giants opt to bring in as their next quarterback this fall.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 6:47 PM EDT
Bengals land Eagles LB Oren Burks
Another Eagles defender is on the move. The Cincinnati Bengals struck a two-year, $5 million deal with linebacker Oren Burks on Monday afternoon, according to the NFL Network.
Burks, who stepped in for the injured Nakobe Dean in the playoffs, will get the chance to start in Cincinnati. He had 41 tackles in the regular season, and another 25 tackles and a sack in the playoffs during their Super Bowl run.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 6:42 PM EDT
Vikings signing former Pro Bowl Colts C Ryan Kelly
The Vikings are expected to sign four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly to a two-year, $18 million deal, NFL Network reports.
Kelly, 31, has played his entire nine-season career with the Colts after being selected in the first round of the 2016 draft. He made the most recent of his four Pro Bowls after the 2023 season. He was named second-team All-Pro in 2020.
Ryan Kelly will reportedly join the Vikings after nine seasons with the Colts. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM EDT
Zach Wilson to the Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have a new backup for Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins struck a one-year, $6 million deal with Zach Wilson on Monday afternoon, according to multiple reports.
Wilson, who the Jets took with the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, struggled as a starter in New York. The team eventually moved on, and he spent last season on the Broncos’ roster in Denver — though he didn’t make it into a game.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 6:26 PM EDT
Rams may just release Cooper Kupp
The Los Angeles Rams are still looking to find a trade partner for Cooper Kupp, but they may end up just releasing the longtime wide receiver after the start of the new league yer instead. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team is prepared to release Kupp unless a trade materializes in the very near future.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM EDT
Justin Watson to Houston
The Texans are also bringing in wide receiver Justin Watson, according to the NFL Network. Watson had 289 yards and two touchdowns last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, and he was part of the team’s last three runs to the Super Bowl. The 28-year-old became a free agent after the team’s loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX last month.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 5:48 PM EDT
Texans land pass-rusher Darrell Taylor
Darrell Taylor is headed to Houston on a one-year, $5.25 million deal, according to the NFL Network.
The defensive end had 32 tackles and three sacks last season with the Chicago Bears. The Texans will mark the 27-year-old’s third team in the league.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 5:43 PM EDT
Charvarius Ward to the Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have picked up a huge cornerback. The Colts struck a three-year, $60 million deal with former San Francisco 49ers star Charvarius Ward, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Ward, who helped lead the team to Super Bowl LIII, had 54 total tackles in 12 games last season in San Francisco. He missed significant time after his daughter died after along battle with heart issues. She was two.
Ward had been very open about wanting to leave the 49ers this offseason, not because of the team but because of the trauma associated with California as a whole after he and his wife lost their child.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 5:39 PM EDT
Josh Dobbs to the Patriots
The Patriots have their backup quarterback. Josh Dobbs reached a two-year, $8 million deal with New England on Monday afternoon, his agent confirmed.
Dobbs has bounced around the league in recent years, but spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers. He’ll back up Drake Maye this fall in New England.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM EDT
Eagles trade Kenny Pickett to Browns, receive Dorian Thompson-Robinson in return
The Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles are swapping backup quarterbacks, with the Eagles sending QB Kenny Pickett to Cleveland on Monday, per multiple reports. In return, Philadelphia receives Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick, originally from the Detroit Lions.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 5:28 PM EDT
Titans pick up LB Cody Barton with 3-year, $21 million deal
The Tennessee Titans are strengthening their defensive line, signing linebacker Cody Barton to a three-year, $21 million deal, per NFL Network.
Barton, a six-year veteran of the league, spent last season with the Denver Broncos on a one-year deal. He finished the 2024 season with 52 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM EDT
Bobby Brown to the Panthers with a 3-year, $21 million deal
The Panthers added another piece to their defensive line, reaching a three-year deal with free agent defensive tackle Bobby Brown III on Monday afternoon, according to the NFL Network. The deal is worth $21 million, and can get up to $27 million with incentives.
Brown had a career-high 44 tackles last season with the Rams, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 draft out of Texas A&M.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 4:55 PM EDT
DT Khyiris Tonga heading to Patriots on one-year, $2.7 million deal
After a season with the Arizona Cardinals, nose tackle Khyiris Tonga is traveling east. The 28-year-old defensive tackle is reportedly signing a one-year, $2.7 million deal with the New England Patriots, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Tonga, a seventh-round pick out of BYU, started his career with the Chicago Bears in 2021, and has bounced around in the years since.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM EDT
Malcom Koonce returning to Las Vegas
Malcolm Koonce isn’t going anywhere. The Las Vegas Raiders struck a one-year, $12 million deal with their defensive end to keep him around next season, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Koonce had 43 total tackles and eight sacks last season, both of which were career-highs. He’s a great get for the Raiders defense this offseason as they get set under new head coach Pete Carroll.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM EDT
Nate Hobbs to Green Bay
The Green Bay Packers struck a four-year, $48 million deal to land former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs on Monday, according to the NFL Network. Hobbs had 49 total tackles and an interception in 11 games last season, though he missed several games with an ankle injury and an illness.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM EDT
Jags land C Robert Hainsey
Former Bucs center Robert Hainsey reached a three-year, $21 million deal with the Jaguars on Monday, according to the NFL Network. $13 million of that is guaranteed. Hainsey started for two straight seasons for the Bucs, but he transitioned into a reserve roll last year.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM EDT
Brandon Stephens to the Jets
The Jets reached a three-year, $36 million deal with cornerback Brandon Stephens on Monday afternoon, according to the NFL Network. Stephens had 70 total tackles last season with the Ravens.
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 4:23 PM EDT
Donte Jackson to the Chargers
The Chargers reached a two-year, $13 million deal with free agent cornerback Donte Jackson, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Jackson had 38 total tackles and a career-high five interceptions last season with the Steelers.
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