On Thursday’s Felger & Mazz radio program, Tony Massarotti gives tiers of the most notable NFL free agency signings from this week.
NFL Free Agency Notes
But before we get to Mazz’ Tiers, lets look at some of the major free agency news and notes from around the NFL…
- In a player-for-player trade, the Atlanta Falcons sent quarterback Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals for wide receiver Rondale Moore. Ridder was benched twice last season. And, it seems like the Falcons are going in a new direction with first-year coach Raheem Morris. Plus, Atlanta just made a big splash move in free agency…
- Quarterback Kirk Cousins inked a massive four-year deal worth a total of $180 million, including $100 million in guaranteed money. Cousins spend the past six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
- After winning Comeback Player of the Year, QB Joe Flacco earned a one-year deal up to $8.7 million dollars. The Browns finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. Flacco lead the Browns to a wildcard playoff game appearance where they lost to the Houston Texans, 45-14.
- The Patriots missed out on signing a big name free agent in Calvin Ridley. The Tennessee Titans swooped in and signed Ridley to 4-year, $92 million deal. New England and Jacksonville were reported to be the frontrunners for signing Ridley, but ultimately, the mystery team Titans prevailed in signing the veteran wide receiver.
- After spending multiple years with the Giants, the team that drafted him, Saquon Barkley signed a three-year $37.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. The contract is strong given the slow market for running backs in recent years. In additional news, the NFL is looking into a violation in tampering rules by Philadelphia in their pursuit of signing Barkley. Eagles General manager Howie Roseman was allegedly in contact with Barkley before the start of the new league year. At the start of the legal tampering period, NFL teams are allowed to reach out to player agents, but not players themselves.
And now, Mazz’ Tiers for the 15 most notable NFL free agency moves from this week…
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 11: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants walks off the field after being defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles 48-22 at MetLife Stadium on December 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
TIER 1
Saquon Barkley, Philly
Derrick Henry, Baltimore
Brian Burns, NYG
Danielle Hunter, Hou
Chris Jones, KC
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – JANUARY 08: Quarterback Dak Prescott #4 hands the ball off to running back Tony Pollard #20 of the Dallas Cowboys against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on January 08, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
TIER 2
Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans, TB
Leonard Williams, Sea
Irv Smith, KC
Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley, Tenn
Russell Wilson, Pitt
Josh Jacobs, GB
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 23: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to playing the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 23, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
TIER 3
Kirk Cousins, Atl
Gabriel Davis, Jax
D’Andre Swift, Chi
Anyone who signed with Washington (Bobby Wagner, Ekeler, whoever)
