The 2025 NFL offseason is in full swing, with teams making bold moves to reshape their rosters ahead of the new league year, which officially begins on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. From blockbuster trades to record-breaking extensions, the legal tampering period has already seen a flurry of activity, setting the stage for one of the most exciting free agency periods in recent memory. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the biggest signings, trades, and updates from the 2025 NFL free agency period.
Key Highlights of the 2025 NFL Free Agency
The offseason has been nothing short of chaotic, with star players receiving franchise tags, Pro Bowlers being traded, and franchise quarterbacks securing massive pay raises. Here are some of the most notable moves so far:
- Franchise Tags:
- Tee Higgins (WR, Cincinnati Bengals) and Trey Smith (OG, Kansas City Chiefs) were among the players to receive franchise tags, ensuring they remain with their respective teams for the 2025 season.
- Blockbuster Trades:
- Geno Smith (QB) was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, while Deebo Samuel (WR) and DK Metcalf (WR) were dealt to the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins, respectively.
- Quarterback Pay Raises:
- Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) and Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) signed lucrative contract extensions, solidifying their futures with their teams.
- Record-Breaking Extensions:
- Maxx Crosby (EDGE, Las Vegas Raiders) and Myles Garrett (EDGE, Cleveland Browns) landed historic deals, with Crosby signing a 4-year, 160millionextension∗∗andGarrettsecuringa∗∗4−year,160millionextension∗∗andGarrettsecuringa∗∗4−year,160 million extension.
Day 1: Legal Tampering Period Begins
The legal tampering period kicked off with a bang, as teams wasted no time in negotiating deals with impending free agents. Some of the biggest moves on Day 1 included:
- Seahawks Sign Sam Darnold:
The Seattle Seahawks made a splash by signing quarterback Sam Darnold to a 3-year, $100.5 million contract, signaling their confidence in him as their franchise QB. - Jets Land Justin Fields:
The New York Jets secured quarterback Justin Fields on a 2-year, $40 million deal, adding depth and competition to their QB room. - Patriots Bolster Defense:
Under new head coach Mike Vrabel, the New England Patriots added several key defenders, including Deebo Samuel via trade and free-agent signings. - Texans Trade Laremy Tunsil:
The Houston Texans traded star left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders in exchange for draft picks and players. - Browns Acquire Kenny Pickett:
The Cleveland Browns traded for former first-round quarterback Kenny Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles, adding a young signal-caller to their roster.
Day 2: More Big Moves
Day 2 of the legal tampering period brought even more excitement, with several high-profile deals agreed upon:
- Daniel Jones to the Colts:
Quarterback Daniel Jones signed a 1-year, $14 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts, giving them a veteran presence in the QB room. - Vikings Spend Big:
The Minnesota Vikings made significant investments in their offensive and defensive lines, signing guard Will Fries and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to multi-year deals. - Texans Trade Kenyon Green:
The Houston Texans continued their roster overhaul by trading former first-round offensive lineman Kenyon Green to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Team-by-Team Signings and Trades
Here’s a breakdown of the key moves made by each team during the 2025 NFL free agency period:
Arizona Cardinals
- Retained:
- OLB Baron Browning: 2 years, $15 million
- S Joey Blount: 2 years, $4.75 million
- LS Aaron Brewer: 1 year
- OL Evan Brown: 2 years, $11.5 million
- Signed:
- EDGE Josh Sweat: 4 years, $76.4 million
Atlanta Falcons
- Retained:
- LT Jake Matthews: 2 years, $45 million extension
- LS Liam McCullough: 4 years
- Signed:
- LB Divine Deablo: 2 years, $14 million
Baltimore Ravens
- Retained:
- LT Ronnie Stanley: 3 years, $60 million
Buffalo Bills
- Retained:
- QB Josh Allen: 6 years, $330 million
- EDGE Greg Rousseau: 4 years, $80 million
- WR Khalil Shakir: 4 years, $60.2 million
- LB Terrel Bernard: 4 years, $50 million
- LS Reid Ferguson: 4 years
- Signed:
- WR Josh Palmer: 3 years, $36 million
- DT Michael Hoecht: 3 years, $24 million
Carolina Panthers
- Retained:
- CB Jaycee Horn: 4 years, $100 million
- CB Michael Jackson: 2 years, $14.5 million
- TE Tommy Tremble: 2 years, $10.5 million
- QB Andy Dalton: 2 years, $8 million
- C Austin Corbett: 1 year, $3 million
- Signed:
- DT Tershawn Wharton: 3 years, $54 million
- S Tre’Von Moehrig: 3 years, $51 million
- EDGE Patrick Jones II: 2 years, $20 million
Chicago Bears
- Traded For:
- OL Jonah Jackson from Rams
- OG Joe Thuney from Chiefs
- Retained:
- LB Amen Ogbongbemiga: 2 years, $5 million
- CB Josh Blackwell: 2 years
- DT Chris Williams: RFA tender
- Signed:
- EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo: 3 years, $48 million
- DT Grady Jarrett: 3 years, $43.5 million
- C Drew Dalman: 3 years, $42 million
Cincinnati Bengals
- Retained:
- WR Tee Higgins: Franchise tag
- DL B.J. Hill: 3 years, $33 million
- TE Mike Gesicki: 3 years, $25.5 million
- EDGE Joseph Ossai: 1 year, $7 million
- Signed:
- DT Tedarrell Slaton: 2 years, $15.1 million
- RB Samaje Perine: 2 years, $3.8 million
Cleveland Browns
- Traded For:
- QB Kenny Pickett from Eagles
- Retained:
- EDGE Myles Garrett: 4 years, $160 million
- Signed:
- OT Cornelius Lucas: 2 years, $10 million
Conclusion
The 2025 NFL free agency period has already delivered plenty of drama, with teams making bold moves to position themselves for success in the upcoming season. From record-breaking extensions to blockbuster trades, the action shows no signs of slowing down as the new league year approaches.
