With free agency scheduled to begin on March 12th, some of the best available players have already agreed to deals with new teams or contract extensions with their current franchises.
It was an insanely busy weekend for the National Football League, so let’s run down the biggest moves that were made ahead of the new league year.
📰 Table Of Contents
- 1 The Seahawks are cleaning house with two major trades
- 2 Myles Garrett is re-signing with the Browns
- 3 Davante Adams signs with the Rams
- 4 The Bills re-signed Josh Allen while making several other moves
- 5 The Chiefs are bringing back two key contributors
- 6 The Ravens retain their star tackle
- 7 Jaycee Horn gets a payday
- 8 The Patriots find a pass rusher
- 9 Several former Pro Bowlers sign short-term deals
The Seahawks are cleaning house with two major trades
The Seattle Seahawks traded quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2025 third-round pick, according to sources who spoke to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo.
A couple of days later, the Seahawks completed a trade that would send wide receiver DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a second-round draft pick as well as pick swaps in the sixth and seventh rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. On top of that, Metcalf is expected to sign a five-year, $150 million contract extension with Pittsburgh once the deal is made official.
Myles Garrett is re-signing with the Browns
Despite requesting a trade out of Cleveland last month, star edge rusher Myles Garrett will not be leaving the Browns after he agreed to a four-year contract extension with the team worth $40 million per year that also features $123 million guaranteed, according to sources who spoke to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. This deal will make Garrett the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
9️⃣5️⃣ is staying in the 2️⃣1️⃣6️⃣
We’ve agreed to terms on a 4-year extension with Myles Garrett!
📰 » https://t.co/jbP3i6GLU4 pic.twitter.com/Uwn01KdaZi
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) March 9, 2025
Davante Adams signs with the Rams
Los Angeles has found its replacement for Cooper Kupp. Former All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams is signing a two-year deal with the Rams worth $46 million that includes $26 million guaranteed, according to sources who spoke to Ian Rapoport.
The Bills re-signed Josh Allen while making several other moves
The Buffalo Bills have signed MVP quarterback Josh Allen to a six-year contract extension worth $330 million that includes $250 million in guaranteed money, according to sources who spoke to Ian Rapoport. This new deal will keep Allen in Buffalo through the end of the 2030 season.
Buffalo also signed a pair of defenders to contract extensions. On Friday, the Bills agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract extension with linebacker Terrel Bernard, according to reports from Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo, and Good Morning Football’s Kyle Brandt. One day later, Buffalo locked down defensive end Gregory Rousseau with a four-year contract extension worth $80 million, according to Tom Pelissero.
A new NFL mark: the Bills and Josh Allen reached agreement on a new record-setting six-year, $330 million contract that includes $250 million guaranteed, the largest guarantee ever given to an NFL player, sources tell ESPN.
Allen had four years left on his deal, but the Bills… pic.twitter.com/HVImHRv7TB
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2025
It wasn’t all good news for Bills Mafia, though. Buffalo announced on Sunday that it released eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller, who had spent the last three seasons with the Bills.
The Chiefs are bringing back two key contributors
The Kansas City Chiefs had a busy weekend, which started on Saturday when they re-signed wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to a one-year contract worth up to $11 million, sources told Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Also, KC is bringing back star linebacker Nick Bolton on a three-year contract extension worth $45 million with $30 million guaranteed, according to sources who spoke to Ian Rapoport.
The Ravens retain their star tackle
The Baltimore Ravens are re-signing Pro Bowl left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a three-year deal worth $60 million, according to Ian Rapoport. Stanley was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this off-season and would’ve likely garnered attention from many teams.
Breaking: The #Ravens are re-signing free agent Pro Bowl OT Ronnie Stanley to a three-year, $60M extension with $44M guaranteed, per sources. pic.twitter.com/2Wm87H2med
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 8, 2025
Jaycee Horn gets a payday
The Carolina Panthers have agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract extension with cornerback Jaycee Horn, according to sources that spoke to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. With this contract, Horn is now the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history.
The Patriots find a pass rusher
Just two days after he was released by the Tennessee Titans, edge rusher Harold Landry III has agreed to a three-year, $43.5 million deal with the New England Patriots, sources told ESPN. The contract includes $26 million in guaranteed money.
Several former Pro Bowlers sign short-term deals
Three-time Pro Bowler Zach Ertz is returning to the Washington Commanders on a one-year contract worth up to $9 million, sources told ESPN. Ertz was Washington’s second-best receiver in terms of yards last season.
The Atlanta Falcons are bringing back offensive tackle Jake Matthews on a two-year, $45 million deal with $38 million guaranteed, according to Mike Garafolo. The former sixth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Matthews has spent his entire career in Atlanta.
The Falcons and LT Jake Matthews have agreed to a two-year, $45 million extension, per source. First reported by @MikeGarafolo pic.twitter.com/TThdsHOMg1
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 10, 2025
Former Pro Bowler Aaron Jones has agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings, Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday. Last season, Jones set a new career-high in rushing with 1,138 yards during the campaign.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are giving star linebacker Lavonte David a one-year contract extension worth up to $10 million with $9 million guaranteed, said his agent, Ron Butler. David, who just turned 35 in January, is a three-time All-Pro who has played for the Buccaneers his entire career.
