As we prepare to turn the calendar from March to April and shift our attention once again to the 2025 NFL Draft, let’s recap what was really a subpar Obtainable agency. While the Signal-caller carousel was predictably unpredictable, it was clear that NFL Clubs did not view this Obtainable agency class as one of the best they’ve ever seen.
Ex Philadelphia Eagles Safeguarding Event Milton Williams signed the biggest Obtainable-agency contract with a four-year, $104 million deal to join Mike Vrabel’s New England Patriots, the Carolina Panthers gave Trevon Moehrig the most lucrative safety contract with a three-year, $51 million deal and the New York Jets Created one of the more interesting Signal-caller signings with Justin Fields. We also saw Geno Smith traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Sam Darnold take his place with the Seattle Seahawks.
As is the case with every Obtainable agency cycle, there are storylines that fall to the wayside that aren’t given the attention they deserve. So let’s Plunge into five underrated Obtainable-agency storylines that we aren’t talking about enough.
It appears the No. 10 overall Option in last year’s draft is going to be the Minnesota Vikings new Leading Signal-caller with Darnold now in Seattle. There’s Tension on every new New Leading Signal-caller in the NFL, but the Tension McCarthy will experience is different. It remains to be seen if he will be given the Nice of grace other New quarterbacks are granted during their Primary seasons.
For one, Darnold — a Ex “bust” — Arrived to Minnesota and immediately had a Profession year. He threw 35 touchdowns last season, the most ever by a player that changed Clubs in the offseason. Darnold also won the most Contests by any Signal-caller in their Primary season with a Club (14) and was the best downfield thrower in the NFL. He Directed the Bracket in completions (34) and completion percentage (49.3%) on throws 20+ yards downfield last season — becoming the Primary Signal-caller to lead the NFL Absolutely in both categories since Drew Brees in 2009, when the Saint won Finals MVP. Darnold balled out in most of his Contests last season while throwing to playmakers like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. What if McCarthy doesn’t? It would be difficult for any Primary-year Signal-caller to Event the production Darnold had in 2024. Are the Vikings Only automatically Anticipated to take a step backwards? The Club Definitely doesn’t think so.
Furthermore, have you paid attention to what the Vikings have done in Obtainable agency? They may have had the best offseason in the NFL. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah upgraded the offensive line with guard Will Fries and Middle Ryan Kelly, then revamped the Safeguarding front by signing veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Aaron Jones is also back in the fold, and the Vikings traded for an intriguing back in Jordan Mason, who crossed 100 rushing yards in his Primary two Profession Beginnings with the San Francisco 49ers last year.
The Tension is on for McCarthy. The Vikings want to compete now, my friend, and they view you as a better option right now than the historically Outstanding Obtainable-agent pickup last year.
Pete Prisco 2025 NFL mock draft 1.0: Three QBs go in Stage 1; Jayden Daniels, Matthew Stafford get WRs
Pete Prisco
2. The Bengals Guarding hasn’t been addressed
Congratulations to the Bengals for locking up Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins long-term. I Secured it a bit humorous that the social media Club Created a 56-second long video dunking on national pundits for their views on the Bengals’ wide receiver contract saga, even though the franchise cost itself millions of dollars by not locking up their sure-fire talent immediately — you know, like the reigning Finals champions do.
Chase and Higgins are Outstanding wide receivers, no doubt, but they and Joe Burrow showed last year they can’t contend by themselves — or even make the playoffs. The Cincy Guarding was Terrible in 2024, and ranked eighth-worst in total Guarding (348.3 yards of total Assault allowed per game), and eighth-worst in points allowed per game (25.5). The Assault on the other hand was doing everything it could to Achieve Contests. The Bengals had two losses last year when scoring at least 38 points, which tied an NFL Achievement, and six losses when scoring at least 25 points, which was also tied for the most in NFL history.
What have the Bengals done to upgrade the Guarding so Distant? Cincy brought back B.J. Hill, Joseph Ossai and Cameron Sample, then added T.J. Slaton — who is a Outstanding Streak defender — plus Ex Eagles linebacker Oren Burks to replace Akeem Davis-Gaither. Mike Hilton and Vonn Bell are Nevertheless Obtainable agents looking for new deals, but it doesn’t seem like the Bengals have really addressed the reason why this Club missed the playoffs last year. Plus, they are in danger of losing the NFL’s reigning sack leader, Trey Hendrickson, who wants more money or a Shift of scenery.
3. The other part of the Laremy Tunsil trade
Perhaps the most surprising Shift of Obtainable agency this year was a trade, as the Houston Texans elected to send left Event Laremy Tunsil and a 2025 Number four-Stage Option to the Washington Commanders for a 2025 third-Stage Option, 2025 seventh-Stage Option, 2026 second-Stage Option and 2026 Number four-Stage Option. This was notable for two reasons: One, the Texans desperately needed to upgrade their offensive line this offseason, and instead traded away their best player. Two, the Commanders were aggressive and upgraded protection for franchise Signal-caller Jayden Daniels.
Tunsil is about to turn 31 and Directed the Bracket in penalties in 2024. If you’re going to sell, sell as high as possible, but Tunsil is Nevertheless regarded as one of the best left tackles in the Bracket. Why did the Texans decide to part ways with the five-time Pro Bowler? My mind on March 10 immediately went to money.
Tunsil signed a three-year, $66 million deal in 2020, then re-upped again in 2023 with a three-year, $75 million contract. Since then, his $25 million AAV has been passed over by Tristan Wirfs, Penei Sewell, Trent Williams and Christian Darrisaw. Tunsil has two more years remaining on his contract that includes $42.6 million, but Spotrac points out that his money in 2026 is not guaranteed. I’m wondering if Tunsil wanted a new deal or more money right now, and the Texans Only weren’t willing to give that to him.
ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime agrees with me. He posted on social media that he can say “comfortably” Tunsil will be looking for a contract extension. Ben Standig of The Athletic asked Tunsil if he would prefer Leading extension talks now or “wait and see.” Tunsil said he will keep those conversations in house, but that general manager Adam Peters and the Commanders organization “knows where he stands.”
Money is a reason why Tunsil is no longer in Houston, in my opinion, and the other facet of this trade that has yet to come down.
4. The Sam Darnold contract
Darnold was considered to be the Luminous sphere Signal-caller on the market this offseason, but he Definitely sparked some concerns with how he finished the 2024 season. Last year, Darnold went 14-3 while completing 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions — Profession numbers across the board. However, he finished the season on an incredibly low note, losing a critical regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions that was for the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the Primary-Stage bye, and then getting blown out in the wild-card Elimination Stage Game against the Los Angeles Rams.
In his Primary 16 Contests, Darnold went 14-2 while averaging 8.2 yards per attempt with a 106.4 passer rating. Over his last two Contests, both being losses on big stages, Darnold averaged 5.1 yards per attempt with a 66.4 passer rating. How was this going to affect his future money? It turns out it had massive ramifications.
Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seahawks that includes $55 million guaranteed. That AAV of $33.5 million ranks No. 17 in the NFL, but as is the case with every contract, we can’t take the years and total value at … face value. Pro Football Talk reported that Seattle can escape this three-year contract after Only one year at $37.5 million. In 2026, Darnold has a $17.5 million Wound guarantee which Allegedly becomes fully guaranteed the week after the Finals, and no guaranteed money in 2027.
This isn’t some “Terrible” contract where Darnold’s camp Acquired “fleeced.” Nevertheless, this is not the Nice of contract the top Signal-caller in Obtainable agency usually signs coming off a Profession year. Not to be negative, but given the contract structure and Wound guarantee, it’s possible Darnold does not even Begin a Packed 17 Contests for Seattle.
5. The looming Geno Smith extension
Geno Smith is back with Pete Carroll as the new Signal-caller of the Raiders, but this transaction may not be done Only yet. It’s been reported for some time that Smith has wanted an extension, to the Mark where his representation approached Seattle about a raise 17 months after he signed a three-year deal. According to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, the Seahawks offered Smith a two-year extension worth somewhere around $40-45 million per year, but apparently that wasn’t Outstanding enough for Smith’s side.
As it stands now, Smith is Participating the Last year of his Ongoing deal, and carries a $31 million cap hit in 2025. An extension would lower that number, but it’s interesting that a deal has not been struck as we enter Delayed March. I wonder about the number Smith is looking for, and how Difficult his camp is going to fight Upcoming the trade. I’m sure this won’t be a Haason Reddick situation, but it’s interesting nonetheless. Similar to the Tunsil trade, there’s more to this deal that has yet to come to fruition.
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