March Madness, while previously only reserved for college clubs, is a fitting way to sum up the craziness that NFL free rein is. On Monday, just hours after Tom Brady announced his return from a 40-day retirement, a series of steps were agreed upon on the first day of the NFL’s legal machinations.
Monday’s big signings included the highest-ranked free agent quarterback who reportedly came to terms with a perpetual playoff contender, a record-breaking defense contract and a slew of moves by the Jaguars, who seem hell-bent on getting out of the game. Basement AFK South. Speaking of Brady, the Buccaneers locked out two of their top full-time free agents on Monday as Tampa Bay gears up for another title run.
Below are scores for each of the signings (expected to be unofficial until Wednesday) featuring the top 100 commission agents, according to CBS Sports NFL Senior Writer Pete Prisco. Two of Monday’s top 100 quarterbacks can be found at the top, while the rest of the players are listed alphabetically by last name.
Quarterbacks
Steelers buy quarterback Mitchell Trubisky
Pittsburgh finds the highest-rated quarterback in free agency and at a good price (two-year, $14.25 million deal with promotions up to $27 million on the NFL network). A professional bowler in 2018 with the Bears, Trubisky is taking on a serious challenge for Mason Rudolph in the upcoming battle for successor Ben Roethlisberger.
Grade: B
Dolphins sign QB Teddy Bridgewater
Bridgewater gives Miami the very capable and experienced support of Tua Tagovailoa. The only possible issue here would be that Bridgewater are training/playing well enough to cause quarterback controversy.
Grade: B+
More signings
Chargers acquire Pro Bowl CB JC Jackson
The Chargers’ big offseason now includes Jackson, who threw eight passes for the Patriots last season. Jackson hasn’t been cheap (he’ll reportedly sign a five-year, $82.5 million contract), so the pressure on his performance will continue.
Grade: B
Carlton Davis stays in Tampa
Davis decided to stay in Tampa the day after Brady’s announcement. The four-year-old returns with a relatively affordable salary (reported on a three-year, $15 contract), another win for Tampa.
Grade: B+
Jaguars sign OL Brandon Scherff
The big day for Jacksonville included the signing of Sherff, a five-time pro bowler and top free agent offensive lineman. Although Sherff is an elite player, the Jaguars will reportedly pay $84 million (over four years) to a player who has not played more than 14 games in a season since 2016.
Grade: BUT-
Packers retain OLB De’Vondre Campbell contract
Keeping Campbell was critical for the Packers, who decided on Monday to part ways with Za’Darius Smith. Despite being a sensation in 2021 (his first season at Green Bay), Campbell needs to play along with his new contract in 2022 and beyond.
Grade: B
Laken Tomlinson landed in New York
The Jets’ Big Monday included the signing of Tomlinson, the 2021 pro bowler of the year who has been a staple on the 49ers offensive line for the past five years. Tomlinson must help provide much-needed protection for Zach Wilson.
Grade: BUT-
Christian Kirk Hits Jackpot in Jacksonville
In Kirk, the Jaguars now have a 25-year-old wide receiver who appears to be coming into his own as a big player. But the price tag (about $84 million over four years) is too high for a player who has yet to break the 1,000-yard mark in a season.
Grade: D-
Eagles touches down Haason Reddick
The Eagles were able to get their hands on the 27-year-old linebacker, who has amassed 23.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles over the past two years. They made it without going broke as Reddick comes to Philadelphia for $45 million over three years.
Grade: A+
Coandre Diggs stays in Seattle
It was a win-win for both sides. Seattle retains its talented safety while Diggs will earn more per season from the new contract ($13.3 million) than from the franchise ($12.9 million).
Grade: B-
Ryan Jensen returns to Tampa
Instead of entering the market, Jensen — the highest-ranked center who was supposed to be a free agent — signed a three-year, $39 million contract to stay in Tampa. It was the Buccaneers’ first major signing since Brady’s big announcement.
Grade: BUT-
Dolphins save Emmanuel Ogba
Miami has retained one of its best defensemen in Ogbach, who has racked up 18 sacks over the past three seasons. It came at a cost ($65 million over four years), especially for a player who has yet to secure a Pro Bowl spot or a double-digit sack season.
Grade: B
Foisade Oluokun heads to Jacksonville
Slam Dunk signed with the Jaguars. At Oluokun, they invested $45 million over three years in a player who recorded a league-high 192 tackles last season, as well as three interceptions, two sacks and a forced fumble for the Falcons.
Grade: BUT
Panthers pounce on Austin Corbett
If you throw enough money at the player, he will obviously leave the defending champions in favor of a 5-12 team. This was also the case with Corbett, as the former Ram will reportedly sign a three-year, $29.5 million contract with the Panthers.
Grade: B+
Rams retain Joe Noteboom
Instead of becoming a free agent, Noteboom returns to Los Angeles with a three-year, $47.50 contract. It’s a clear investment in a player who is expected to contribute more after earning 17 starts during his first stint in LA in years.
Grade: B-
Alex Kappa comes to Cincinnati
The buccaneers did not detain everyone on Monday. They saw Kappa — their offensive line’s starting quarterback since 2019 — head to Cincinnati, which is certainly good news for Joe Burrow.
Grade: BUT
Rams to bring back Bryan Allen
The defending champions were able to keep Allen for a claimed $24 million over three years. The veteran guard started 16 games last season after missing the entire 2020 season with an injury.
Grade: B
Ben Jones stays in Nashville
The extremely durable center signed a two-year, $14 million contract to stay with the Titans. The 32-year-old has been integral to the Titans’ offensive success over the past few years.
Grade: B+
Justin Reed landed in Kansas City
Instead of re-signing Tyranne Mathieu, the Chiefs instead opted to sign a three-year, $31.50 ex-Texans safety deal. Was it really an upgrade? Time will show.
Grade: B-
CJ Uzoma heads to the Big Apple
A major contributor to the Bengals AFC championship team, Uzoma benefited by signing a three-year, $28 million contract with the Jets. The soon-to-be 30-year-old tight end, 30, will look to patch things up with Wilson after spending his career season with Burrow in 2021.
Grade: B-
Dolphins land on Cedric Wilson’s beach
A three-year, $22.8 million contract is a lot of money for an unverified player. Understandably, the Dolphins are betting that Wilson will build on last year’s career year when he caught six touchdowns from Dak Prescott.
Grade: FROM
Tim Settle signs with Buffalo
Settle didn’t do much in Washington last season after hitting five sacks in 2020. It’s a low-risk, high-reward move for the Bills, who hope they break through as the AFC’s top team this year.
Grade: FROM
Xavier Woods moved to Carolina
For $15.75 million over three years, the Panthers acquire a quarterback who had 108 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and 10 defensive passes last season. At 26 years old, Woods should have a lot of good football.
Grade: B+
Cardinals hold on to James Conner
A professional bowler during his first season in Arizona, the Cardinals and Conner agreed to a well-deserved $21 million three-year extension. As good as Conner is, he’s no cowbell, so the Cardinals need to find someone to replace the recently departed Chase Edmonds.
Grade: B
Bears acquire former Bengali Larry Ogunjobi
Last season, Chicago agreed to sign one of the NFL’s top linebackers to a three-year, $40.5 million contract. Ogunjobi recorded seven sacks before a leg injury caused him to miss most of the Bengals’ playoffs.
Grade: B
Bengals hold on to BJ Hill
Cincinnati was expected to try to keep either Ogunjobi or Hill. They ended up keeping Hill, who played extremely well during the Bengals’ playoffs.
Grade: BUT-
Braxton Berrios returns to Jets
The special teams receiver and stud returns to New York for a steep $12 million over two years. While that may be too much for a player with 89 career wins, Berrios is among the league’s top players who forged a relationship with Wilson last season.
Grade: C+
Giants drop off former Colts G Mark Glowinski
Big Blue needs help on the offensive line, so they went out and acquired the player who helped make Jonathan Taylor one of the best running backs in the NFL. It’s a small move, but for $20 for two seasons, it’s a solid move from the Giants front office.
Grade: B