The start of NFL free agency is often chaotic, but the 2025 edition of it brought a new meaning to the word.

The day before the NFL’s ‘legal tampering’ period was much busier than usual. DK Metcalf was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers; Myles Garrett and Josh Allen signed record-breaking extensions with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills, respectively; and wide receiver Davante Adams landed on the West Coast with Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams.

Once the tampering period began, many high-quality players began flying off the board and changing teams. It started with Haason Reddick joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year deal and will continue ahead of the 2025 NFL draft, as teams look to shape themselves into contenders.

Which NFL teams have had the best start in free agency? A handful of squads are already looking significantly better after plugging some of their biggest holes on the free agent market.

Here’s a run-down of the most improved teams after the first wave of free agency.

NFL free agency: Most improved teams

New England Patriots

The Patriots entered free agency armed with the most cap space in the NFL. They have put it to good use to kickstart the Mike Vrabel era, landing one of the top players on the free-agent market, Milton Williams, and signing other starting-caliber players with ties to the team’s current coaching staff.

Notably, the Patriots upgraded every level of their defense with their signings. Williams and Harold Landry will give the team a significant pass-rushing boost; Robert Spillane will be a strong starter and provide valuable leadership at linebacker; and Carlton Davis will give the Patriots a high-end No. 2 cornerback across from Christian Gonzalez.

Some Patriots fans will be frustrated the team hasn’t yet added a top receiver or left tackle on offense, but getting right tackle Morgan Moses for $8 million per year was a good value. He will be a major upgrade over Demontrey Jacobs, who finished the 2024 NFL season ranked last among Pro Football Focus’ 81 qualified tackles last season.

Washington Commanders

The Commanders have swung two of the biggest offseason trades that should significantly impact their offense. First, they landed Deebo Samuel to serve as a No. 2 receiver and versatile complement to top-tier deep threat Terry McLaurin. Then, they surprised many by landing Laremy Tunsil in a trade with the Texans.

Getting Tunsil was a particular coup for the Commanders. The 30-year-old committed a league-high 19 penalties but remains one of the best pass-blocking tackles, grading fourth overall among 141 tackles to play in 2024. That will be an upgrade over Brandon Coleman, who ranked middle of the pack at No. 72 overall.

In addition to those trades, the Commanders inked veteran Jonathan Jones to a one-year deal to fight for the slot cornerback job while bringing in Javon Kinlaw at defensive tackle after he logged a career-high 4.5 sacks in 2024. Add in the veterans they have re-signed (Zach Ertz, Bobby Wagner, John Bates, Marcus Mariota) and this seems like a strong start to the offseason for the NFC runner-up.

Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times during his rookie season. The Bears took steps to ensure that shouldn’t happen again in 2025 by pouring significant resources into their offensive line.

It started with a couple of trades for high-quality guards. The Bears first added Jonah Jackson, who is familiar with new coach Ben Johnson from their time together in Detroit, before acquiring All-Pro Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs. Chicago capped off its offensive line spending spree by landing the top free-agent center Drew Dalman to give the team a completely new interior offensive line.

The Bears made similar upgrades to their defensive front, signing Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett to provide some pass-rushing power. The attention those two will draw should allow Montez Sweat to improve upon his team-leading 5.5 sacks from last season.

Minnesota Vikings

Speaking of teams that have upgraded the trenches, the Vikings fall into that category. While much of the attention surrounding the team has been on them losing both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones in free agency, Minnesota pivoted to add some high-quality linemen on both sides of the ball.

On defense, the Vikings added veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave to their defensive line. On offense, they inked a couple of former Colts – center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries – to provide upgraded protection in front of quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

The Vikings also retained top cornerback Byron Murphy while adding Isaiah Rodgers as a speedy No. 2 option across from him. Brian Flores should be able to get the most out of Rodgers and the team’s other new additions, so Minnesota fans should feel good about the direction of their team as the McCarthy era begins.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos had the NFL’s No. 1 defense in EPA per play last season. They added to that unit 2022 All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga and three-down linebacker Dre Greenlaw to the fold early in free agency.

Hufanga has played in just 17 games over the last two seasons due to injury while Greenlaw appeared in just two last season after tearing his Achilles in Super Bowl 58. That said, if both remain healthy, they will provide playmaking prowess in the middle of Denver’s defense, with Greenlaw being one of the league’s best run-stoppers and Hufanga having seven interceptions in 32 games dating back to the 2022 NFL season.

The Broncos also added a mismatch tight end, Evan Engram, to give Bo Nix another reliable target while retaining starting defensive tackle D.J. Jones. Their roster keeps improving and should position Denver to make a second consecutive playoff run.

NFL free agency isn’t just about which team lands the most talented players. It’s also about which teams find the best bargains.

The Philadelphia Eagles provided NFL fans with a great example of that last offseason. While Philly’s acquisition of Saquon Barkley generated the most buzz, the Eagles also inked a one-year, $1.6 million deal with linebacker Zack Baun.

Baun went on to have an All-Pro season, logging 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks and five forced fumbles for Philadelphia. He went on to play a major role in the Eagles’ dominant 40-22 Super Bowl 59 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Finding another Baun on the NFL free agent market won’t be easy, but plenty of underrated player signings deserve more attention than they are getting. Here’s a look at six moves that could be more considerable upgrades than most expect.

Underrated NFL free-agent signings

Poona Ford, DT, Los Angeles Rams

Three years, $29.6 million

The Rams did an admirable job replacing Aaron Donald during the 2024 NFL season, but they had their share of issues against the run. They ranked 20th in EPA against the run and allowed Saquon Barkley to top 200 rushing yards against them twice during the season.

Ford graded as Pro Football Focus’ third-best run defender with the Los Angeles Chargers last season. The 5-11, 315-pound tackle should have a big-time impact on the Rams’ run defense while providing a decent pass-rushing push (23 pressures, three sacks in 2024).

Getting that type of production for less than $10 million in average annual value (AAV) is a bargain.

Kristian Fulton, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

Two years, $20 million

The Chiefs made it to the Super Bowl for a third consecutive season despite boasting a defense that ranked 20th in EPA against the pass last season. Fulton provides the team with quality competition for Jaylen Watson at the No. 2 cornerback position and security, as Watson will be a free agent following the 2025 season.

Fulton enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career with the Chargers in 2024, totaling 51 tackles, one interception and seven pass defenses. The Chiefs did well to poach him from a divisional rival on a contract that ranks tied for 25th in AAV among NFL cornerbacks, per Spotrac.com.

Kevin Zeitler, G, Tennessee Titans

One year, $9 million

The Titans revamped their offensive line by agreeing to deals with left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and Zeitler but the latter deal is the better bargain. Zeitler just turned 35 but he is still playing at a high level. He finished the 2024 season as Pro Football Focus’ third-ranked guard after committing just two penalties and allowing five sacks.

Zeitler has 197 career starts at right guard and will be a significant upgrade over Dillon Radunz. The North Dakota State product allowed six sacks and committed five penalties as the Titans starter last season.

Dre Greenlaw, LB, Denver Broncos

Three years, $35 million

Greenlaw was limited to just two games in 2024 after tearing his Achilles in Super Bowl 58. That allowed the Broncos to land him at a relative discount, as Zack Baun ($17 million AAV) and Jamien Sherwood ($15 million AAV) are set to make more than him.

When healthy, Greenlaw is one of the best run-stopping linebackers in the NFL. He averaged 140 tackles, five TFL, one sack and one interception per 17 games played during the 2022 and 2023 seasons while helping lead San Francisco on deep playoff runs.

Greenlaw hasn’t played an entire season since his rookie year in 2019, so injuries remain a concern for him. Still, he won’t turn 28 until May and will add another high-end player to a Denver defense that ranked No. 1 overall in defensive EPA last season.

Morgan Moses, OT, New England Patriots

Three years, $24 million

The Patriots had the worst right tackle situation in the NFL last season. Demontrey Jacobs started at the position for most of the season, allowing nine sacks, committing 11 penalties and grading dead last among Pro Football Focus’ 81 qualified tackles.

Moses has 158 career starts under his belt, almost exclusively at right tackle. He may be in the twilight of his career as he enters his age-34 season. However, he should still provide a significant upgrade over Jacobs, especially if the veteran can remain healthy after battling a nagging MCL injury last season.

Jeremy Chinn, S, Las Vegas Raiders

Two years, $16.26 million

Chinn performed well in his first season with the Washington Commanders. He tied a career-high with 117 tackles and added two sacks, one interception and five pass defenses to his ledger in Dan Quinn’s defense.

Despite his success, Chinn received a deal worth just $8.13 million in AAV. That ranked seventh among free-agent safeties in the early stages of the 2025 offseason and was worth less than half of what former Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig got on the open market from the Carolina Panthers ($17 million AAV).

The NFL’s new league year arrived Wednesday, March 12 at 4 p.m. ET. With it came the usual flurry of free-agent signings and trades that often accompany the first wave of the NFL offseason.

Plenty of big names were already off the board thanks to handshake deals made during the NFL’s legal tampering period. Many of those were finally put to paper on Wednesday, while new deals were also announced.

There was also an influx in player releases, as NFL teams had to be cap-compliant by the 4 p.m. ET deadline. Teams were also allowed to designate players as post-June 1 cuts as of the new league year, so that sent Aaron Rodgers onto the free agent market.

Rodgers is among the biggest names still available on the free-agent market, and his decision could influence where Russell Wilson ends up. Elsewhere, Cooper Kupp is now a free agent and will join a couple of other veteran receivers – Amari Cooper and Stefon Diggs – looking for new homes.

The market for defensive players has moved a bit faster. Numerous cornerbacks and safeties like D.J. Reed, Charvarius Ward, Jevon Holland and Talanoa Hufanga have already inked new deals. The same can be said of veteran pass rushers Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and DeMarcus Lawrence.

USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, signings, releases, rumors and more from NFL free agency below. All times are Eastern.

NFL free agency live updates, signings, rumors

WR Adam Thielen returning to Panthers on revised deal

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler

Thielen has been a key weapon over two seasons with the Panthers, logging 151 catches, 1,629 yards and nine touchdowns in 27 games with the team. The 34-year-old is returning to Carolina for a third season, his 12th in the NFL, and will continue to serve as a top target for Bryce Young.

DT Dalvin Tomlinson signing a two-year deal with Cardinals

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport

Tomlinson has agreed to a two-year deal to join the Cardinals who will pay him $29 million with $16 million guaranteed. The 31-year-old has played eight NFL seasons with the Giants, Vikings and Browns.

He had an 11.4% pressure rate and three sacks last season.

49ers signing QB Mac Jones to two-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport

The former first-round pick is signing with the San Francisco 49ers on a two-year deal for $7 million with $5 million guaranteed. The contract has a maximum value of $11.5 million. The 49ers notably drafted QB Trey Lance third overall in 2021 over Jones who fell to the Patriots at pick 15. Jones served as Trevor Lawrence’s backup in Jacksonville in 2024 and will presumably assume that role behind Brock Purdy.

Veteran WR Mike Williams returning to Chargers

Date: March 12
Source: Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz

Mike Williams has agreed to return to the Chargers on a one-year contract worth $6 million. He returns to Los Angeles, who drafted him seventh overall in the 2017 draft. He played seven seasons in LA before signing with the Jets in 2024. Williams will look to rekindle his connection with Justin Herbert. He accumulated 202 receptions for 2,977 yards and 19 touchdowns in 46 games alongside Herbert.

Buccaneers re-signing QB Kyle Trask

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport

Tampa Bay is re-signing quarterback Kyle Trask to a one-year deal worth $2.78 million. He has served as the backup in Tampa since he was drafted in the second round in 2022. He will once again be behind Baker Mayfield in 2025.

DE Cam Jordan returning to Saints for 15th season

Date: March 12
Source: Cam Jordan

The Saints are re-signing Jordan per his social media account on X. The veteran was a first-round pick by New Orleans in the 2011 NFL draft. He logged at least 7.5 sacks for 11 straight seasons before 2024.

Harrison Smith returning to Vikings for 14th season

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport

The Vikings are re-signing Smith to a one-year deal that could be worth up to $14 million. The veteran safety was a first-round pick by Minnesota in the 2012 NFL draft and logged 87 tackles and three interceptions during the 2024 season.

Smith has made six Pro Bowls during his career and was named an All-Pro first-teamer in 2017.

Commanders signing Deatrich Wise to a one-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter

The Commanders continue to bolster their defensive front after adding Javon Kinlaw and Eddie Goldman early in free agency. Wise spent the first eight years of his career with the Patriots and logged 34 sacks in 126 games.

Titans to sign Dre’Mont Jones to one-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter

The Titans agreed to terms with Jones on a one-year deal that will pay him up to $10 million. Jones played on the edge for the Seahawks last season, racking up 24 tackles and four sacks in 17 games (seven starts).

Panthers to sign RB Rico Dowdle to one-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: The Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye

The Panthers released Miles Sanders while 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks is coming off a torn ACL for the second time in as many years. That led them to target Dowdle as a complement to Chuba Hubbard.

Dowdle is coming off a career-best season during which he racked up 1,079 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 235 carries. His deal will be worth up to $6.25 million, per NFL Network’s Rapoport.

Jets release linebacker C.J. Mosley

Date: March 12
Source: New York Jets

The Jets announced Wednesday they had released Mosley after six years with the team. The 32-year-old played just four games in 2024 due to toe and neck injuries, racking up 17 tackles in three starts.

Mosley was a team captain and averaged 159 tackles per season from 2021 to 2023.

Jets signing center Josh Myers to one-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler

The Jets are adding depth to their interior offensive line, bringing in Myers on a one-year deal worth $3.5 million.

Myers played center at Ohio State with new Jets quarterback Justin Fields. The former Packer started 56 games across four seasons in Green Bay but graded 38th among 40 qualified centers for the 2024 NFL season, per Pro Football Focus.

Eagles signing RB AJ Dillon

Date: March 12
Source: Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz

Dillon missed the 2024 NFL season while battling a neck injury but is poised to return to the field with the Eagles in 2025. Dillon has 2,428 yards and 10 touchdowns on 597 carries and will serve as a short-yardage and goal-line hammer behind Saquon Barkley.

Perhaps the Eagles can find a way to incorporate the 6-0, 245-pounds Dillon into their ‘Tush Push’ play.

Chargers signing Benjamin St-Juste to one-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter

As one cornerback joins the Commanders, another leaves. St-Juste has a big 6-3, 200-pound frame and had 17 pass defenses in 2023. He allowed a passer rating of 107 last season but Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter will look to improve upon that as they search for a Kristian Fulton replacement.

Jonathan Jones joining Commanders on one-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler

Jones is coming off a down year during which he allowed a 146.6 passer rating but Washington is hoping he will rebound with a change of scenery. The 31-year-old had four interceptions in 2022 and will be an option to man the slot, which will allow Mikey Sainristil to remain outside, where he performed well last year.

Denzel Perryman re-signing with Chargers on one-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: USA TODAY’s Tyler Dragon

Perryman is rejoining the Chargers on a one-year, $3.65 million deal, a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports.

Perryman had 55 tackles and a sack in 11 games for the Chargers last season. He was a second-round pick by the team in 2015 but also spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans from 2021 to 2023 before returning to Los Angeles.

Titans to sign veteran guard Kevin Zeitler to one-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport

The Titans continue to upgrade their offensive line after giving Dan Moore Jr. a four-year deal worth up to $82 million earlier in free agency. Tennessee is signing Zeitler, a 13-year veteran who made the Pro Bowl in 2023, to a one-year deal worth up to $9 million to lock down their right guard job.

Zeitler has made 197 career starts with the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions. The 35-year-old graded as Pro Football Focus’ third-best guard for the 2024 NFL season in his lone campaign with the Lions. He allowed five sacks and committed just two penalties over 1,047 snaps.

Colts signing RB Khalil Herbert to one-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport

Herbert had 130 rushing yards and a touchdown on 36 carries with the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals in 2024. He will look to win more consistent snaps in the Colts’ backfield behind Jonathan Taylor during the 2025 season.

Cowboys trading for Titans LB Kenneth Murray Jr.

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport

The Cowboys already acquired one defensive player via trade on Wednesday (CB Kaiir Elam). Now, they are closing in on a deal for Murray, who had 95 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 14 games for the Titans last season.

Murray, 26, was a first-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2020 NFL draft. He has 416 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 73 career games (67 starts).

Seahawks signing long-time Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence

Date: March 12
Source: NFL agent David Canter

Lawrence spent the first 11 years of his career with the Cowboys, racking up 61.5 sacks across 141 career games (123 starts). Now, the four-time Pro Bowler will be joining the Seahawks on a three-year deal worth up to $42 million, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Lawrence, 33 in April, will get $18 million guaranteed on his new contract.

Panthers signing LB Christian Rozeboom to one-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport

Rozeboom had a career-high 135 tackles in 17 games (11 starts) for the Rams last year. The Panthers will bring him aboard as a potential upgrade to their linebacker corps.

Steelers sign Darius Slay to one-year, fully guaranteed deal

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter

The Steelers have agreed to sign Slay to a one-year deal worth $10 million. The 34-year-old will look to earn the team’s starting job across from Joey Porter Jr. while providing, along with fellow signee Brandin Echols, some much needed depth to Pittsburgh’s cornerback room.

Falcons re-signing Pro Bowl special teamer KhaDarel Hodge

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport

Hodge had seven special teams tackles in 2024 and caught seven passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. He will provide the Falcons with quality depth at receiver.

Lions re-signing DT Levi Onwuzurike to one-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport

Onwuzurike made a career-high 10 starts for the Lions in 2024 and totaled 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks for the team. He is returning on a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million.

Broncos to sign TE Evan Engram

Date: March 12
Source: NFL agent Mike McCartney

Engram was released by the Jaguars earlier in the offseason after posting 47 catches for 365 yards and a touchdown in nine games last season. He will provide Sean Payton with a mismatch weapon and a savvy veteran to pair with second-year quarterback Bo Nix.

Engram’s deal will be worth $23 million with $16.5 million guaranteed, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Browns sign Maliek Collins to two-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter

Hargrave wasn’t the only 49ers defensive tackle to quickly reach a deal. Collins, who the team also released, is set to ink a two-year deal worth up to $20 million with $13 million guaranteed.

Javon Hargrave to ink two-year deal with Vikings

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter

The 49ers officially released Hargrave after the start of the new league year on Wednesday. The Vikings quickly agreed to terms with him on a two-year, $30 million contract to further bolster the team’s defensive line.

Hargrave played just three games in 2024 before suffering a torn triceps but had 25.5 sacks over the previous three seasons combined.

Russell Wilson to visit with Browns, Giants

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter

Wilson is expected to meet with Cleveland on Thursday before doing the same with New York on Friday. It isn’t clear whether those plans will be altered if Wilson loves the Browns’ pitch or if Aaron Rodgers throws a wrench into his plans, but it appears the 36-year-old veteran is exploring his free-agent options in detail.

Steelers to sign Jets CB Brandin Echols

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport

The Steelers continue to add to their cornerback room, agreeing to a deal with Echols, who had 40 tackles and two interceptions in 16 games for the Jets last season. Pittsburgh is also expected to sign former Eagles cornerback Darius Slay in free agency.

Eddie Goldman to sign one-year deal with Commanders

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler

Goldman logged 16 tackles and a sack in 17 games for the Falcons last season after spending the previous two seasons out of the NFL. The 6-3, 325-pound run stuffer will provide two-down depth for the Commanders behind Daron Payne, Johnny Newton and Javon Kinlaw.

Jets to release Aaron Rodgers, designate him post-June 1 cut

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter

The Jets were expected to release Rodgers as a post-June 1 cut after informing the 41-year-old they were going to move on from him after two disappointing seasons. They are set to do that as the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday.

Rodgers will now be free to negotiate a new contract with another team. Meanwhile, the Jets will create $7 million in cap savings for 2025 by designating Rodgers a post-June 1 cut, a maneuver that spreads his single-season dead-cap hit out over two seasons. The Jets will absorb a $35 million dead cap hit for 2026 by making Rodgers a post-June 1 cut.

Rodgers completed 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 starts but led the Jets to just a 5-12 record.

Bills to trade CB Kaiir Elam to Cowboys

Date: March 12
Source: Josina Anderson

The Bills are getting a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick from the Cowboys in exchange for Elam and a 2025 sixth-round pick.

Buffalo selected Elam in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft, but he struggled to earn playing time in Buffalo. He made just 12 starts over three seasons and had 81 tackles and two interceptions across 29 games.

Elam won’t turn 24 until May so Dallas is banking on his untapped potential.

Falcons could keep Kirk Cousins despite $10 million roster bonus

Date: March 12
Source: Charles Robinson, Yahoo Sports

The Falcons will owe veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins a $10 million bonus if he is still on the roster as of Sunday, March 16. Robinson noted Cousins would become ‘a pricey backup or a trade candidate’ with Michael Penix Jr. set to be Atlanta’s starter in 2025.

OT Stone Forsythe, Giants agree to terms

Date: March 12
Source: New York Giants

The Giants are adding versatile depth to their offensive line with the signing of former Seahawk Stone Forsythe to a contract. Terms have not yet been disclosed. Forsythe played in 53 games (including 14 starts) in his four years in Seattle with time at right and left tackle. The Giants’ article on the signing includes Forsythe’s experience playing on the interior as well during his time in college.

Rams to release WR Cooper Kupp

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero

In early February, Kupp publicly announced that the Rams had informed him they would try to trade him this offseason. A trade never materialized ahead of the start of the new league year, so Los Angeles has informed the receiver it will release him today after eight years with the team. Kupp played in 12 games last season, recording 67 catches for 710 yards and six touchdowns.

QB Marcus Mariota stays in Washington

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter

Mariota, who served as the Commanders’ backup to Jayden Daniels last year, is staying with the team on a one-year deal. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the contract is worth $8 million. The former No. 2 overall pick appeared in three games in 2024, compiling 364 yards, four passing touchdowns and zero interceptions to go with his 77.3% completion rate.

WR Jalen Reagor remains with the Chargers

Date: March 12
Source: Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers announced Wednesday they’ve extended wide receiver Jalen Reagor. The terms of the deal have not been announced. Reagor played in eight games for Los Angeles in 2024, tallying seven catches for 100 yards.

Edge Rashad Weaver agrees to terms on deal with Jets

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero

The Jets have added edge rusher depth by agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with Weaver. The 27-year-old played three games for the Texans last year and spent time with Houston and the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squads.

LB Troy Dye stays with Chargers

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport

Dye signed a one-year deal with the Chargers last year, and he recorded career-high numbers in tackles (57) and sacks (1.5). The linebacker, who split time between defense and special teams, is returning to Los Angeles on a two-year, $5.5 million deal.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling signing with Seahawks

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero

After releasing Tyler Lockett and trading DK Metcalf, the Seahawks have brought in reinforcement at the wide receiver position. Valdes-Scantling is signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal with Seattle after a year split between Buffalo and New Orleans.

S Darrick Forrest, Bills agree to terms

Date: March 12
Source: Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz

Buffalo is signing former Commanders safety Darrick Forrest to a one-year deal. The 25-year-old spent most of the 2024 season playing on special teams. He hit free agency this year after four years with Washington, which drafted him in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Will the Jets trade Aaron Rodgers?

Though New York announced earlier in the offseason that it planned to part ways with their veteran quarterback, the team still hasn’t made any move official. With hours to go before the new league year officially begins, the Jets still have not released Rodgers. Perhaps a trade is on the way to allow Gang Green to recoup some value from the 41-year-old gunslinger in the form of draft picks.

Rodgers is set to enter the final season of the three-year, $112.5 million contract he signed with the Jets in 2023. New York would take on a $23.5 million cap hit into June should it designate the quarterback a post-June 1 release. After that, Rodgers would be responsible for a $14 million cap hit in 2025 and $35 million cap hit in 2026.

Holding the Jets back from a potential trade is the fact that Rodgers has a no-trade clause in his contract, which would allow the quarterback to nix any potential deal.

CB Mike Ford signing with Falcons on short-term deal

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter

Ford and the Falcons have agreed to terms on a two-year, $4 million deal. The defensive back is returning to Atlanta after two years in Cleveland. He has played primarily on special teams over the last five years.

DT Greg Gaines re-signing with Buccaneers

Date: March 12
Source: Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz

For a third year in a row, Gaines is signing a one-year deal with Tampa Bay. Also for a third year in a row, that contract is worth $3.5 million. The defensive tackle has been a rotational piece in the Buccaneers’ defensive front over the last two years and has recorded two sacks in that span.

Bills extend S Damar Hamlin

Date: March 12
Source: Buffalo Bills

Hamlin, 26, is coming off of one of the best seasons of his career in 2024. He had 89 tackles (two for a loss), five passes defensed, two interceptions and a fumble recovery in 14 starts. The Bills are extending Hamlin with a one-year deal, the value of which is still to be announced.

Titans set to sign WR Van Jefferson on one-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz

Coming off of a season with 24 catches for 276 yards and two touchdowns for the Steelers, the Brentwood, Tennessee native is heading home on a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Titans.

G Saahdiq Charles to come out of retirement

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo

Charles signed a one-year deal to be the Titans’ starting right guard last year before suddenly retiring before the season began. Now the former fourth-round pick will attempt to return from retirement and hit the market as a free agent when the Titans release him to start the new league year.

LB Tyrel Dodson returns to Miami on two-year deal

Date: March 12
Source: Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz

Four months to the day after the Dolphins claimed Dodson off of waivers from the Seahawks, the two sides have agreed to terms on a two-year, $8.25 million deal. The linebacker tallied career-high marks in tackles (107), passes defensed (6) and interceptions (3) last season.

DT Larry Ogunjobi reaches contract agreement with Bills

Date: March 12
Source: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport

After three seasons with the Steelers, the 30-year-old defensive tackle will join the fourth team of his career on a one-year, $8.3 million contract. The deal includes $8 million in guarantees and incentives that could push the value to $10 million.

Chiefs restructure Patrick Mahomes’, Chris Jones’ contracts

Date: March 12
Source: ESPN’s Field Yates

The Chiefs created nearly $50 million in cap space by restructuring the contracts of their star quarterback and defensive tackle. Yates points out the extra room is even more than Kansas City needed to officially sign free agents Kristian Fulton, Elijah Mitchell and Jaylon Moore when the new league year starts later on Wednesday.

DE Joey Bosa, Bills agree to terms on short-term deal

Date: March 11
Source: ESPN’s Adam Schefter

Rumors had floated around throughout the day on Tuesday that Bosa would join his brother, Nick, in San Francisco. Instead, he’ll fill in the Von Miller-sized hole in the Bills’ pass-rush attack after agreeing to join Buffalo on a one-year, $12.6 million deal.

Best available NFL free agents

Here are the top-10 remaining free agents according to USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon:

Stefon Diggs, WR
Amari Cooper, WR
Aaron Rodgers, QB
Cam Robinson, T
DeAndre Hopkins, WR
Keenan Allen, WR
Joey Bosa, edge
Russell Wilson, QB
J.K. Dobbins, RB
Justin Blackmon, S

The WNBA is looking to expand. Numerous cities across the United States, and even some Canadian cities, are looking to break into the WNBA. However, only a few cities will be given the opportunity.

In order to maximize their chances, a group of Detroit investors, headlined by Pistons owner Tom Gores and his wife, Holly, have brought on another notable face, rapper Eminem.

As reported by Sportico, it was announced that Eminem, a proud Detroit native, would join the bid, alongside Gores as well as other notable Detroit celebrities like Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff, General Motors CEO Mary Barra, and many others.

Detroit’s history in the WNBA

Detroit has been dying to bring the WNBA back to the city. The Detroit Shock were strong members of the WNBA for more than a decade between 1998 and 2009, before becoming the Tulsa Shock. In that time span, Detroit actually experienced a lot of success, winning three championships (2003, 2006, 2008). The franchise has since moved to Arlington and is known as the Dallas Wings.

How does Eminem’s inclusion help Detroit’s bid?

Eminem has been one of the most vocal Detroit sports fans in recent years, making promos for a variety of iconic Detroit moments, like when the Lions faced the Los Angeles Rams and their former quarterback Matthew Stafford in the first round of the NFL playoffs a few years ago.

Obviously, the more investors the city can get, the better their chances of earning a WNBA bid, and Eminem brings a lot to the table. In January, Gores released a statement saying the they were excited to bring the WNBA back to Detroit. ‘Our bid represents an unprecedented opportunity for the league to come full circle and effect a long-hoped-for Detroit homecoming,’ said Gores. ‘No city is more prepared to embrace the team as a community asset that drives unity and common ground.’

The WNBA wants to add a 16th team by 2028. It is unclear when the announcement for that team will be made.

Cooper Kupp’s time with the Los Angeles Rams has come to an end.

The team announced on Wednesday that they officially released the receiver.

Kupp also took a moment on social media to thank the organization and fans following the news.

Thank you for these shared moments,’ Kupp wrote on X. ‘Thank you LA for welcoming my family with open arms and allowing us to grow here. Next chapter starts now. Best is yet to come.’

The release ends a lengthy tenure for Kupp with the Rams, which began when the team used a third-round pick on him in the 2017 draft. Kupp proceeded to play eight years with the organization, all of which came after their move to Los Angeles.

The Rams informed Kupp in early February that they planned to part ways this offseason.

‘I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships,’ Kupp wrote on X. ‘I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA.’

Despite the displeasure, Kupp was a key piece for the Rams before injuries and the emergence of Puka Nacua played a part in Kupp’s diminishing role within the LA offense. He was a favorite target for Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford, the two primary quarterbacks who led the team over those eight years.

The former Eastern Washington receiver defied any expectations set for him in the NFL. A Super Bowl champion and MVP, he also earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in addition to being named the Offensive Player of the Year in 2021.

Kupp finished third in league MVP voting following his dominant 2021 season in which he posted 1,947 yards, the second-most for a single season in NFL history.

There was still a glimmer of hope for Kupp to stick around, who remained on the roster as free agency began. However, the team’s decision to sign Davante Adams made the decision to part ways inevitable.

The 31-year-old Kupp will now hit the free agent market, where he can sign with any team to continue his NFL career.

The New York Jets have made their split with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers official.

Weeks after the team let Rodgers know they planned to move on without him, they made it official Wednesday with his release coming at 4:00 p.m. ET at the start of the new league year. Rodgers, 41, will hit free agency one year before his contract with the Jets is up.

New York is designating Rodgers as a post-June 1 release in order to split up the $49 million in dead cap they’ll need to take on over the next two years. The designation will not impact Rodgers’ ability to sign with a new team once free agency begins later on Wednesday.

The 20-year NFL veteran joined the Jets in 2023 after spending the first 18 seasons of his career with the Packers. Rodgers missed nearly all of his first season with New York after he ruptured his Achilles on the fourth snap of his first game with the team.

In 2024, he led the Jets to a 5-12 record, throwing for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Rodgers now hits the free agency market nine months before his 42nd birthday.

Super Bowl 59 is in the history books and every NFL team will look to improve its roster during the 2025 offseason.

The NFL’s legal tampering period opened negotiations on Monday, March 10, while the new league year started at 4 p.m. ET on March 12. Many players have already begun agreeing to terms on contracts since Monday’s window opened, but deals become official when free agency starts today.

The NFL’s new league year typically features a bevy of moves. Plenty of impact players have already switched teams, and more well-known stars could find themselves with new homes in 2025.

One key part of the offseason is teams strategizing how to use their salary cap space. Some will have more resources to do so than others.

Who has the most money to spend? Here’s a look at the NFL salary cap space across the league for 2025:

NFL salary cap space for every team 2025

Below is a look at every team’s current salary cap space for 2025. All salary cap figures are via OverTheCap.com. According to reports on Thursday, Feb. 27, the league notified teams the cap has been set at $279.2 million.

New England Patriots: $100.8 million
Los Angeles Chargers: $83 million
Arizona Cardinals: $72.4 million
Tennessee Titans: $66 million
Pittsburgh Steelers: $64.4 million
Seattle Seahawks: $60.8 million
Detroit Lions: $55.2 million
Dallas Cowboys: $53.6 million
Minnesota Vikings: $48.1 million
Jacksonville Jaguars: $45.7 million
San Francisco 49ers: $43.6 million
Las Vegas Raiders: $41.6 million
New York Jets: $37.6 million
Carolina Panthers: $35 million
Cincinnati Bengals: $34.5 million
Kansas City Chiefs: -$33.1 million
Washington Commanders: $32.7 million
Denver Broncos: $32.6 million
Green Bay Packers: $32.1 million
New York Giants: $32 million
Philadelphia Eagles: $27.5 million
Los Angeles Rams: $23.8 million
Chicago Bears: $22.5 million
New Orleans Saints: $17.4 million
Cleveland Browns: $14.7 million
Indianapolis Colts: $11.8 million
Atlanta Falcons: $8.7 million
Houston Texans: $6.8 million
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $6.29 million
Buffalo Bills: $6.24 million
Baltimore Ravens: $1.7 million
Miami Dolphins: -$10.2 million

NFL team with most salary cap space

Heading into the new league year, the New England Patriots have the most cap space at $100.8 million. This is a decrease from their league-high $119.8 million before the tampering window. The Patriots hired Mike Vrabel as the new head coach as they look to bring the organization back to prominence. The franchise will likely continue searching for ways to improve the offensive line to protect QB Drake Maye. They’ve spent $212.4 million already since the tampering window opened. This includes the $105 million contract former Eagles DT Milton Williams agreed to on Monday.

NFL team with least salary cap space

2025 NFL free agents

Here are some of the notable names remaining in free agency this offseason:

QB Aaron Rodgers (Jets)
QB Russell Wilson (Steelers)
WR Stefon Diggs (Texans)
WR Amari Cooper (Bills)
WR Keenan Allen (Bears)
OT Cam Robinson (Vikings)
RB J.K. Dobbins (Chargers)
S Justin Simmons (Falcons)
S Julian Blackmon (Colts)
OL Mekhi Becton (Eagles)

Reigniting ACC basketball starts with an obvious Step 1: Make good coaching hires. Your move, Virginia.
Miami and Florida State bought low with unproven coaches. Gone are the days of Roy Williams, Jim Boeheim, Mike Krzyzewski.
ACC used to be a nesting place for elite coaches. Now, the SEC enjoys that distinction. Is it any wonder the SEC enjoyed a hoops revival?

Reigniting ACC basketball starts by hiring better coaches. The process doesn’t end there. Good coaches require support. But, strong hires are a must.

The ACC’s hardcourt hard times will come into focus on Selection Sunday. Bracket experts expect the 18-team conference to be reduced to three or four bids in the 68-team field. That bid projection is more in line with the Mountain West than the ACC’s Power Four peers.

Duke offers the ACC a national championship contender, and Clemson and Louisville also rumble into March Madness, but there’s just not much conference depth.

As recently as a few years ago, the ACC served as a nesting place for elite coaches. Now, I’d rank Clemson’s Brad Brownell as the ACC’s second-best coach, behind Duke’s Jon Scheyer. I mean this as no dig on Brownell, who’s done a fine job at Clemson, but Clemson possessing the ACC’s second-best coach offers evidence of the conference’s insufficient health.

BRACKETOLOGY: Race for No. 1 seeds, bubble spots heats up

TOURNAMENT PREVIEWS: SEC | Big Ten | ACC | Big 12 | Big East

Retirements turned ACC basketball on its head

The ACC’s woes became apparent in the fall. The conference mustered a 2-14 record in the ACC/SEC challenge. And the roots extend deeper than that.

In a 43-month period from April 2021 to October 2024, North Carolina’s Roy Williams, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, Notre Dame’s Mike Brey, Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim and Virginia’s Tony Bennett retired. Legends, most of them. Career winners, all of them.

Scheyer, Krzyzewski’s longtime understudy turned successor, kept the Dukies rolling with the elite. Elsewhere, Williams, Brey and Boeheim left voids that weren’t sufficiently filled, while Virginia’s search continues to replace Bennett.

Miami’s Jim Larranaga and Florida State’s Leonard Hamilton retired this season. Each is the winningest coach in his program’s history. Larranaga took two separate schools to Final Fours. More big shoes to fill.

“The ACC is struggling now, and everybody is searching for answers, and I say, what do you mean they’re searching for answers?” Mike Tranghese, the Big East’s former longtime commissioner, told me earlier this season. “I can tell you why they’re struggling: They lost six Hall of Fame-type coaches.”

The ACC made a go of it last season, turning five bids into a 12-5 March Madness record, before the veneer came off.

Four ACC coaching vacancies offered a chance to reset the board.

Virginia, North Carolina State with a chance to top Miami, Florida State hires

The hires so far come off underwhelming at worst, and unproven at best.

Miami tapped Duke’s associate coach Jai Lucas to replace Larranaga. Lucas spent the past few years working as an assistant at blue-blooded programs, earning regard as a skilled recruiter.

Florida State hired Luke Loucks, an alumnus who’d been an assistant with the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. He’s never coached college ball.

The combined head coaching record of Lucas and Loucks? It’s 0-0. Maybe, they’ll become examples of buying low and striking it rich, but I’m skeptical these hires will galvanize the ACC.

Virginia and North Carolina State retain a chance to fill their vacancies with more proven coaches.

Virginia, at least, ought to possess the commitment to pursue an established coach. Marquette’s Shaka Smart, whose career traces to Virginia Commonwealth, would be the proverbial home run, but uprooting the Wisconsin native from Marquette might qualify as a pipe dream.

VCU’s current coach, Ryan Odom, must be somewhere on Virginia’s list of options.

For N.C. State, how about Will Wade, LSU’s former coach thriving at McNeese State? An FBI wiretap of a Wade recruiting phone call derailed his LSU tenure. He served his time in the penalty box, and winning has never been his problem.

Other names that might be good for either Virginia or N.C. State include Furman’s Bob Richey, Drake’s Ben McCollum, George Mason’s Tony Skinn and High Point’s Alan Huss.

They’re proving themselves at mid-majors, building résumés worth a look from the big leagues. Think Nate Oats or Todd Golden. They won at Buffalo and San Francisco, respectively, before turning Alabama and Florida into national championship contenders.

Coaching hires spurred SEC. Can ACC follow suit?

The ACC should look to the SEC for inspiration of a hoops revival.

The SEC is positioned to qualify 12 or more teams for March Madness, which would break the NCAA’s qualification record. Rewind to 2016, and SEC basketball called rock bottom home. It qualified three teams for the tournament that year.

Determined to elevate the conference’s performance, Commissioner Greg Sankey appointed fresh personnel tasked with addressing the problem. Sankey’s hires included Tranghese, as a special assistant focused on basketball.

The SEC’s hoops solution featured a multi-pronged attack that included smarter scheduling, but stronger hiring formed the backbone of the SEC’s ascent.

The SEC now touts five coaches with at least one Final Four on the résumé.

Arkansas’ John Calipari, Auburn’s Bruce Pearl, Tennessee’s Rick Barnes and Mississippi’s Chris Beard are career winners. Alabama’s Nate Oats and Florida’s Todd Golden have plenty of tread left on the tires, and they join Pearl and Barnes with top-10 teams this season.

“The whole key is hiring good coaches,” Tranghese said.

ACC, take heed.

Blake Toppmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer. Subscribe to read all of his columns.

Although the proposed multi-billion-dollar settlements of three athlete-compensation antitrust cases against the NCAA and the Power Five conferences have not yet received final approval from the federal judge overseeing the matters, conference officials have been working toward a comprehensive plan to implement and enforce what would be a set of far-reaching and fundamental rules changes for schools and athletes.

While the new regulations would be integrated into the NCAA’s existing Division I rulebook, they would be overseen by the power conferences, which intend to create a new regulatory and enforcement entity led by a chief executive officer akin to a professional sports league commissioner, four people with knowledge of the conferences’ intent told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. They requested anonymity due to the sensitivity and ongoing nature of the discussions.

The new entity would be charged with handling only these issues.

U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken granted preliminary approval to the proposed settlements in October. She is set to hold a final-approval hearing on April 7 concerning the agreements, which would include nearly $2.8 billion in damages that would go to current and former athletes over 10 years. They also would allow Division I schools to start paying athletes directly for use of their name, image and likeness (NIL) during the 2025-26 school year, subject to a per-school cap that would increase over time and be based on a percentage of certain athletics revenues.

In addition, the deal also would attempt to bring NIL payments to athletes from sources other than the schools under some enforceable rules. Under the settlement, all Divsion I athletes — regardless of whether their individual schools choose to provide NIL payments — would have to report non-school NIL payments of more than $600 to a clearinghouse that would be established. And their deals would be subject to review, with the goal being the prevention of pay for play and deals that pay amounts above market value.

At present, the NCAA has rules that prohibit athletes from receiving pay for play and from having NIL deals that are used as an inducement to enroll or remained enrolled at a specific school. However, those rules have been virtually impossible for the association to enforce. That has been due to the growing prevalence of school-specific collectives — donor groups dedicated to pooling resources earmarked for NIL payments that often are, at best, only loosely based on the value of an athlete’s NIL rights or their promotional work.

The responsibility for figuring out ways to enforce the cap on NIL payments from the schools and to create reporting and evaluation procedures for athletes’ non-school NIL deals has been handed to group of 10 athletics directors, two from each of the five conference defendants, that is being called the Settlement Implementation Committee.

The committee is working in concert with legal and compliance officials from the conferences and the NCAA.

There are myriad procedures and processes that need to be addressed, and the committee has set up four separate working groups to deal with them. The committee also is working with an entity called LBi Software to create a cap tracking system and with Deloitte Consulting LLP to create another system that would be used to assess the athletes’ third-party NIL deals. LBi Software has worked with Major League Baseball, the NBA and the National Women’s Soccer League, according to its website.

Among the issues being addressed:

How schools’ NIL payments to athletes will be entered into a system and tracked, and how any efforts by schools or boosters to circumvent the cap will be addressed. One of the four people with knowledge of the situation said the committee is looking at recommending a set of four or five of what were termed as very significant penalties. The reaction of a school to one of those penalties would remain to be seen, but another person noted that this is what the schools are signing up for in their effort to settle this massive litigation.

How athletes’ third-party deals are handled and evaluated and what happens when a deal is not approved. The people said the athletes would bear the primary responsibility for submitting their agreements for evaluation. While the term fair market value has been used to describe a potential benchmark, one person said that, instead, an assessment would be made based on whether an arrangement involves the use of an athlete’s NIL to advance a valid business purpose and whether the athlete’s compensation falls within an acceptable range of compensation for similarly situated individuals.

Of course, defining those terms will require some additional work. But this person said that as deals are entered into the system, the system should build on itself.

The committee is trying to develop ways of clearly communicating with athletes, who — under the proposed settlement — would have the ability to appeal deals that are not initially approved to neutral arbitrators who would be selected by lawyers for the plaintiffs and the conferences/NCAA.

The 10 athletics directors on the implementation committee are Texas A&M’s Trev Alberts, Oregon State’s Scott Barnes, Kentucky’s Mitch Barnhart, Georgia Tech’s J Batt, Ohio State’s Ross Bjork, Washington’s Pat Chun, Cincinnati’s John Cunningham, Clemson’s Graham Neff, Washington State’s Anne McCoy and Arizona’s Desiree Reed-Francois.