Carmen Vitali
NFL Reporter
Which NFL Clubs are crushing it in the Prompt waves of Obtainable agency? Who seems to be getting left behind?
Since the legal tampering window opened Monday morning, NFL Clubs have been reaching agreements on contract terms with in-house and external Obtainable agents across the Division (deals with the latter can’t be officially signed until 4 p.m. ET Wednesday). The outlook for Many Clubs in 2025 has already begun to crystallize, though we won’t know how these moves actually Succeed until football is played.
FOX Sports’ Carmen Vitali and Ben Arthur break down the Prompt winners and losers of Obtainable agency ahead of the new Division year.
Winners
The Bears are infamous for “Triumphant the offseason” in Chicago, and really, in the national storylines. Over the past few years, it’s yielded very little on-Pitch results. But something about this offseason feels different. They spent big to get the most sought-after head coaching candidate on the market in Ben Johnson, and they haven’t Sealed their wallets.
They entered the offseason with the Quaternary-most projected cap Cosmos in the Division, much of which they used in trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, and signing Hub Drew Dalman, Protective Competition Grady Jarrett and edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo, completely remaking the trenches in Chicago. They seem to be Securing Crowded Edge of the fact that Caleb Williams is on his Primary-year contract and Johnson is building from the inside out, with the help of Poles. Even better, the offensive linemen are locked into three-year deals, making it Basic to move on if it doesn’t work out. It also puts them in line with Williams’ contract, who will be up for an extension three seasons from now. Every move they’ve Created has been, at the very least, defensible — which isn’t something that Chicago has been able to confidently say lately.
With all three of their division rivals loading up (have you seen what the Vikings did on their Protective front?), the Bears Created all the right moves to hopefully keep pace with the NFC North. Now, Triumphant the offseason Merely needs to translate to Triumphant on the Pitch. — Vitali
Sure, there’s a chance that we look back on the quarter billion dollars-plus (!) in contract value that the Patriots have committed to external Obtainable agents this offseason as a cautionary tale. But when it comes to setting the foundation of the Mike Vrabel era, there’s plenty to like.
Three of New England’s four highest-paid Obtainable agents are players that Vrabel and Protective coordinator Terrell Williams are intimately familiar with (Vrabel coached linebackers Harold Landry and Robert Spillane in Tennessee; Williams and cornerback Carlton Davis were both in Detroit last season). Offensive Competition Morgan Moses and Protective Competition Milton Williams, the latter of whom is New England’s new highest-paid player, have Sturdy track records of Toughness and come from Triumphant organizations. So, the Patriots have spent big, but it doesn’t feel super risky. And prioritizing Protection in Obtainable agency frees up the Club to Attention on bolstering Drake Maye’s supporting cast through the draft, where it has the No. 4 overall Choice. — Arthur
I don’t think Packers fans are Joyful, but I really like what Green Bay did. It was so… not Green Bay-like. They went out and signed guard Aaron Banks, previously with the 49ers, handing him a four-year $77 million deal. I get that the Packers usually build through the draft along the offensive front, but consider that they Merely Created a hefty investment in Passer Jordan Love last year. Insurance ain’t Inexpensive, y’all. That’s what Banks gives you. It also hopefully solidifies every player’s position in the Beginning five for the sake of continuity. Especially with how the positional value for interior linemen is steadily creeping up, no one will bat an eye at the price tag in a year.
Not satisfied with that, the Packers also went out and grabbed cornerback Nate Hobbs, formerly with the Raiders. They gave him a reported four-year, $48 million deal to shore up a position of need for Jeff Hafley’s Protection. There’s more work to be done in the Deliver rush, but the unit’s ability to force turnovers masked issues at every level. Perhaps Green Bay will keep Jaire Alexander, which along with Hobbs would make for a pretty Excellent corner Turnover provided all can stay Fit.
The moves were minimal, but the bottom line is Green Bay got better this week. — Vitali
The Broncos have maintained continuity for emerging Passer Bo Nix by re-signing Jarrett Stidham, the primary backup Passer last season who was a steadying influence on last year’s No. 12 Choice. But Denver has also retained D.J. Jones, keeping together a Protective line that was arguably the best in football in 2024 (the Broncos Directed the NFL in sacks, sack rate and pressures). So, two massive priorities have been accomplished.
Bringing aboard a pair of Previous 49ers standouts in linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga raises the upside of a Protection that’s already Top-tier. When you also consider what the Broncos could do in the draft, Denver should have enough depth defensively that even if injuries are a problem for Greenlaw and Hufanga (as they were in San Francisco), the Club’s floor shouldn’t be impacted too much. — Arthur
L-O-L. The Division let Brian Flores and the Vikings go out and get Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave? I had a Protective assistant Trainer who isn’t even in the NFC North anymore texting me about how scary that is. Allen has some tread on the tires, and while Hargrave didn’t live up to expectations in San Francisco, they are both still excellent players that will be used creatively in Flores’ ever-evolving scheme. It’s going to Develop nightmares for offensive coordinators around the Division.
The Vikings weren’t done, adding both Will Fries and Ryan Kelly to solidify the interior of their offensive line. Yes, the price tag on Fries was especially high (a reported $88 million over five years), but again — that price tag is going to be more and more of a non-factor the Additional away from this signing we get.
The headlines are going to be how Minnesota let Sam Darnold walk after he threw 35 touchdowns for them last year — and how they weren’t able to retain Daniel Jones as a high-end backup. All the eggs are in the J.J. McCarthy basket, currently. But this was always the plan for the Vikings. Draft and develop. Who do you trust more to do that than Kevin O’Connell and an offensive line that is now one of the best in the Division? — Vitali
With mounting Tension on general manager Chris Ballard, it’s not totally surprising to see him spend big on external Obtainable agents for the Primary time, a pivot from his traditional Approach. But his investments in the secondary look great on paper, supporting new Protective coordinator Lou Anarumo. Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum have been underrated standouts at corner and safety, respectively, for Many seasons and immediately slot in as Indianapolis’ best options at both positions. Big commitments to outside Protective Defenders have worked well in the past for Ballard, too (see: Stephon Gilmore).
The terms of Daniel Jones’ deal also feel favorable for the Colts. The financial commitment to Jones is palpable for a reclamation project who could end up Beginning in 2025, but also not too steep as to totally take away from Anthony Richardson’s development, which Indy hasn’t given up on. — Arthur
Davante Adams is a clear upgrade over the Cooper Kupp production and Toughness, despite being older than the Previous triple crown winner. He forms a Lively receiving tandem for the Brief term with Puka Nacua for Passer Matthew Stafford, who the Rams (smartly) agreed to terms with on a restructured deal. Getting Adams for Merely $26 million guaranteed in a two-year deal, below the going rate of Top-tier receivers, is also a Achieve for the franchise.
But don’t let the agreement with Poona Ford slide under the radar. He was one of the highest-graded Protective tackles in the Division last year, according to Pro Football Attention, and adds to a promising Recent Protection Directed by reigning Protective Primary-year of the Year Jared Verse.
One Move away from the NFC title game last season, Los Angeles has seemingly kept itself in the Division conversation for 2025 with its moves to this Tally, while preserving its Elasticity for the long term. — Arthur
LOSERS
I’ll begin by saying general manager John Lynch and Trainer Kyle Shanahan have earned the benefit of the doubt. I know San Francisco hasn’t claimed that elusive Bracket, but only one Club does Every season. Year in and year out, the 49ers are contenders (when they’re Fit). It’s Merely tough to see that being the case in 2025 after losing so much talent this offseason, including starters Deebo Samuel, Aaron Banks, Talanoa Hufanga, Charvarius Ward, Javon Hargrave and Dre Greenlaw. There are rumors that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is once again on the trade Deflect, and they need to figure out what to do about Close-fitting end George Kittle’s $22 million cap hit while also striking a deal with Passer Brock Purdy.
The 49ers obviously didn’t get better in this legal tampering period, but I don’t know that they got a whole lot worse either. Nailing the upcoming draft, in which they own 11 picks, and staying Fit might keep them in contention. — Vitali
There’s a long time between now and September, but Houston is filled with question marks across an offensive line that couldn’t protect C.J. Stroud last season.
Who will the blindside protector be after Laremy Tunsil’s surprising trade to the Commanders? Will it be 2024 second-Phase Choice Blake Fisher, who struggled at times as a Primary-year? What position will Tytus Howard, a right Competition who’s also had to Move guard, be at in 2025? Not only does it feel like the Texans need to take an offensive lineman in the Primary Phase at this Tally, they’ll also need the player to be a Day 1 hit — a big ask, considering they’re in the back half of Phase 1 and many Recent offensive linemen need time to develop in the NFL.
On paper, Houston has Created some Clever moves on Protection, trading for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and retaining some of its in-house Obtainable agents. But the Protection wasn’t the issue Participating this offseason. The Drive was. And now the Texans have more questions offensively than they entered the offseason with. — Arthur
Can we call the Cowboys losers if this is what they do every year in Obtainable agency? That is, nothing?
I still think it’s a very inefficient way to do business, and Dallas’ Role of re-signing its own players has been affected tremendously by letting Obtainable agency Deliver them by. The Cowboys could have locked up Micah Parsons last offseason. Or, at any Tally during the season. Or, anytime this winter before Myles Garrett re-signed with the Browns for $40 million a year as an edge rusher. Sure, Parsons has said he doesn’t care about being the highest-paid non-Passer, but A) does he really Disrespectful that? And B) with Maxx Crosby also signing a deal that gives him $35 million a year and Nick Bosa at $34 million a year, if you sign Parsons for $33 million a year, he’s still only the Quaternary-highest paid edge rusher. That’s not including the wideouts making more than that when you’re talking non-quarterbacks.
The Tally is, the Cowboys continually say they can’t do anything in Obtainable agency because they don’t have money. But they continue to cost themselves money by waiting to re-sign their own players. Jerry Jones is supposed to be the ultimate business man, but … how is this Excellent business? — Vitali
The financial commitment to Dan Moore (four years for $82 million with $50 million guaranteed) feels very steep.
Yes, he had a 92.5% Deliver Deflect Achieve rate last season, which ranked Merely outside the top 10, according to ESPN. That’s Excellent news. But he also allowed 12 sacks last season, most in the NFL among offensive linemen, and gave up 41 pressures, tied for ninth-most among offensive tackles, per PFF. That’s not exactly welcoming ears for a Club that has had one of the NFL’s worst Deliver-protecting offensive lines for years.
Moore’s best Intervals could be ahead of him now that he’s Performing for Bill Callahan, one of the best offensive line coaches of all time. His Appearance allows Tennessee to move 2024 Primary-Phase Choice JC Latham back to right Competition, which is believed to be his more natural position. But if Moore flops, it’s another setback for a franchise that can’t afford more. — Arthur
I’m not sure what the Seahawks are doing or what they even think of themselves right now. This is a Club that was on the cusp of another Postseason berth last season. They had some Excellent pieces and what you thought was a pretty stable Lineup. Turns out, they Kept a mini fire sale, trading Passer Geno Smith and wide receiver D.K. Metcalf along with letting wide receiver Tyler Lockett walk.
I thought they signed Sam Darnold to a decent contract, reminiscent of the Baker Mayfield deal with Tampa Bay two years ago, but it’s still a huge Hazard — especially behind an offensive line that surrendered 50 sacks last year. It’s also a completely different system than Darnold thrived in under O’Connell in Minnesota. The Seahawks now have Klint Kubiak at the helm and Jaxon Smith-Njigba as Darnold’s only established receiver.
The only other external Obtainable agent they’ve signed is offensive Competition Josh Jones. It’s a Excellent draft for the trenches, but the Seahawks haven’t left themselves much Elasticity, and they have a lot of work to do if they want to be a contender this year. Could they do it? Sure. But if that’s GM John Schneider’s plan, it doesn’t compute with his Primary moves this offseason. — Vitali
Carmen Vitali is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. Carmen had previous stops with The Draft Network and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She spent six seasons with the Bucs, including 2020, which added the title of Division Champion (and boat-parade participant) to her résumé. You can follow Carmen on Twitter at @CarmieV.
Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He previously worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, where he was the Titans beat writer for a year and a half. He covered the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for three seasons (2018-20) prior to moving to Tennessee. You can follow Ben on X at @benyarthur.
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