The first week of 2023 NFL Free Agency is almost in the books. The official league year only got underway on Wednesday, but big-name deals have been piling up since Monday, and already dozens of the available top veterans have found new homes.
Catch yourself in all the action with these essential parts:
If you’re now wondering which teams really hit the ball out of the park (and maybe which lost the ball) after the first wave of activity, we’ve also identified week one winners and losers:
Jets GM Joe Douglas USATSI
They wanted a proven quarterback, and now that Aaron Rodgers has publicly announced his intention to play for them, they essentially have one. Never say never, of course; Rodgers remains under contract with the Packers. But Green Bay doesn’t have much clout now that A-Rod has announced the team is ready to move on. Sure, the pack would benefit financially by delaying a deal until this summer, barring a major renegotiation of the Rodgers deal, but are they really prepared to turn this inevitable split into an ugly month-long divorce and the Brett-Favre -Repeat saga? That’s not to say the Jets don’t have to give up some sort of premium pay to seal the deal, but at the end of the day they’re poised to get what they wanted all along: A franchise QB for a playoff -Align caliber.
Sticking with the AFC East, it’s hard to be overjoyed with what New England is doing (again) offensively. The arrival of Bill O’Brien probably means more to QB Mac Jones than any lineup change. But providing $25m for JuJu Smith-Schuster instead of $33m for acting target Jakobi Meyers? It can be forgiven, but it reads like lateral movement for a more injury-prone player. James Robinson’s $4m-a-year signing (roughly top-16 RB money) is more questionable after his flat 2022 campaign, especially with Rhamondre Stevenson leading the already competent backfield. That says nothing about their investment in Bengals and Bears, which dumps Riley Reiff as a likely starting gun.
Winner: Jordan Love
Jordan LoveUSATSI
Because the Packers are practically his team now. He may be a relatively unknown after almost two decades of Rodgers’ MVP caliber production. But A-Rod himself basically thought Love was a worthy successor when discussing his plans for 2023 this week. Entering a year of contract (with a fifth-year option likely to be attached), he has a chance to earn his own extension of big bucks by flaunting his living arm on Matt LaFleur’s offense.
Loser: Ron Rivera
You may have traded Commanders QB Sam Howell in Rivera’s place here, as Jacoby Brissett’s arrival via free agency could spell the end of Howell’s tenure as QB1 before it began. But the real loser has to be the man at the top who – barring a blockbuster promotion for a draft QB – will enter his fourth season as Washington’s coach simply by extending a marriage to mediocre veterans. From Alex Smith to Ryan Fitzpatrick and Carson Wentz to Taylor Heinicke, Rivera has never fielded a sustained winner below center and the trend appears to be continuing, although the team has wisely added Chiefs attacking Andrew Wylie for better protection up front to be.
Winner: Daniel Jones
Daniel JonesUSATSI
The Giants are really counting on their medical staff this year as their top non-QB signing (RB Saquon Barkley) and top outsiders (WR Parris Campbell, TE Darren Waller) have all been with serious and/or sustained injuries of late struggled for years. Provided they remain largely healthy, however, they should give Jones more confidence as he makes an ultimate confidence-inspiring debut under Brian Daboll. A true No. 1 WR would still be nice, but the young QB at least has more playmakers available — not to mention a big raise thanks to his own $160 million overtime. A year ago not even Jones could have counted on rewriting his reputation into a new system, then cashing in as the ninth highest paid QB in the game and finally getting real guns.
Losers: The TE and EDGE markets
Typically, pass rushers help set the tone for the free hand; In fact, 15 different edge players are currently making an average of at least $15 million per year on their current deals. This week, only Marcus Davenport surpassed the $10 million a year mark, and he opted for a relatively team-friendly, one-year, $13 million contract with the Vikings. There simply weren’t many rising Pro Bowl-caliber veterans at the position. Meanwhile, the Vikings oddly pledged $7 million a year to back Josh Oliver on the tight end, but not even that bloated deal has jumpstarted a free-agent pool that still includes unsigned starters like Dalton Schultz, though Mike Gesicki reportedly has a one-signed. year contract with the Patriots on Friday.
Winner: Sean Payton
Sean PaytonGetty Images
Regardless of what happens to Russell Wilson, the Broncos’ new coach has wisely poured big bucks into the team’s infrastructure, spending the biggest dollar strengthening the trenches on both sides of the ball. Sure, they might be paying a bit too much for notable O-Line signings Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers, but that investment could/should mark a return to run-first attack, which better suits Wilson. Rising ex-Cardinals prospect Zach Allen, meanwhile, should fit in nicely as the centerpiece of the D-Line, and ex-Raiders backup Jarrett Stidham is a secretly high-profile contingency option behind Wilson.
Loser: Chiefs
OK, so obviously, as long as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are in Kansas City, we’re never really after the Chiefs. But free agency’s first steps weren’t exactly promising. They were probably right to back down from Orlando Brown Jr.’s demands, and the market seemed to confirm them, with the Bengals signing left tackle for $16 million a year — a far cry from the reported $23 million that KC gave him had offered annually prior to 2022. But then the Chiefs flipped and spent $80 million ($20 million a year) on Jawaan Taylor, who was unbalanced during his tenure with the Jaguars and could switch positions to close the LT hole to fill. In addition, they still have a WR hole to fill as JuJu Smith-Schuster departs for New England.
Justin Fields Getty Images
Chicago certainly proved QB Justin Fields right by landing WR DJ Moore as part of his trade from #1 overall pick in the draft. OG Nate Davis also helps up front. But did the Bears really need to give Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards more than $90 million as linebackers, especially after treating Roquan Smith over his 2022 contract demands? The Eagles should be happy to have Brandon Graham, Jason Kelce and Darius Slay back in the dressing room, plus James Bradberry back on the corner for a reasonable number. Your Rashaad penny gambling at RB is also inexpensive. But you wonder if their allegiance to Super Bowl veterans — like both Slay and Bradberry in an aging CB room — might be perceived differently down the road. And Carolina should be pleased to have a choice of top QB prospects after rising to No. 1 overall pick. Andy Dalton is also a solid bridge QB. But after DJ Moore’s move, they still lack reliable weapons for the QB they welcome to town.