The NFL’s new league is well underway after officially opening Wednesday afternoon.
The flurry of deals that were reported earlier in the week can now be made official.
Most of Frank Schwab’s top 25 available free agents, and even more throughout his positional rankings, are already off the board.
The biggest name still out there is Aaron Rodgers, who is officially being released by the New York Jets. He’ll be designated as a post-June 1 cut, per ESPN, which saves the Jets $7 million but still leaves them with a $49 million overall dead money charge, including a $35 million dead cap hit in 2026.
It’s increasingly looking like Steelers or bust for Rodgers, who reportedly has an offer on the table from the team. The Giants are still reportedly waiting on his decision, too. Either way, Rodgers is the next major domino to fall in free agency.
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And Russell Wilson is likely the next one, as he’s reportedly meeting with both the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants this week.
And if one of these QB-needy teams is left empty-handed, could a trade for the Falcons’ Kirk Cousins be in the cards?
There are still plenty of talented players to be signed too, despite the spate of agreements already reached. Here are the best remaining NFL free agents available. Rodgers is No. 2, behind tackle Mekhi Becton.
If you missed any news these past few days, don’t worry. We’ve tracked every NFL free-agent deal this spring right here.
And don’t forget: The NFL Draft also isn’t far off. Cam Ward is going first in our latest mock draft. The league also announced the compensatory picks for the upcoming draft.
NFL free agency analysis
Live235 updates
Adam Thielen restructures contract, will return to Panthers
After a solid 2024, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen has restructured his contract and will return for his 12th NFL season, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Dalvin Tomlinson gets $16 million guaranteed from Cardinals
Former Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson is joining the Arizona Cardinals on a two-year, $29 million deal with $16 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Mac Jones to the 49ers
San Francisco has its next backup quarterback. The 49ers reached a two-year, $7 million deal with Mac Jones on Wednesday night, according to the NFL Network.
Jones, who the New England Patriots selected with the No. 15 overall pick in 2021, spent last season as Trevor Lawrence’s backup in Jacksonville. The 49ers are working on a long-term extension with starter Brock Purdy, though it’s unclear when that deal will be finalized.
Mike Williams returns to the Chargers
Mike Williams is headed home.
The longtime Chargers wide receiver struck a one-year deal worth up to $6 million to return to his former club on Wednesday night, according to the NFL Network. Williams split time between the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers last season after spending his first seven years in the league with the Chargers. He had 298 total yards and one touchdown.
Report: Saints’ Cam Jordan restructures contract, will return next season
Report: Vikings veteran safety Harrison Smith to play 14th season
Eagles adding RB depth by signing AJ Dillon
Saquon Barkley has a new backup in Philly: former Packers RB AJ Dillon.
Panthers to sign RB Rico Dowdle
Dowdle is changing teams after rushing for 1,079 yards for the Cowboys last season.
It’s a reported 1-year, $6.25 million deal.
Jets release longtime LB C.J. Mosley
After six years in New York, C.J. Mosley is no longer a Jet. The team announced it was releasing its defensive leader after a season in which he played only four games due to injuries.
Cowboys pick up LB Kenneth Murray Jr. from Titans
The Cowboys have traded for Tennessee Titans linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. in exchange for a swap of late-round picks, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
DeMarcus Lawrence to the Seahawks
DeMarcus Lawrence is headed to Seattle. The longtime Dallas Cowboys defensive end struck a three-year, $42 million deal with the Seahawks on Wednesday afternoon, Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein confirmed.
DeMarcus Lawrence joins his former Cowboys DL coach Aden Durde, who’s now DC of Seattle Seahawks.
Lawrence has spent his entire career with the Cowboys, though he played in just four games last season while dealing with a foot injury. He had 50 total tackles and four sacks in the 2023 campaign.
Darius Slay gets 1-year, $10 million deal with the Steelers
We finally have numbers for Darius Slay’s deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is signing a 1-year, $10 million fully guaranteed deal, according to the NFL Network. The 34-year-old is headed to Pittsburgh after being a five-year starter with the Eagles and helping lead the team to a Super Bowl win earlier this year.
Report: Browns signing DT Maliek Collins
It’s a two-year, $20 million deal for the former 49er, per ESPN.
Broncos reportedly signing TE Evan Engram to $23 million deal
The two-time Pro Bowler has a two-year deal with Denver, per ESPN. According to NFL Network, it’s a $23 million deal with $16.5 million guaranteed.
Engram was released by the Jaguars this week.
Russell Wilson meeting with Browns, Giants
Russell Wilson is set to meet with several teams this week, according to multiple reports. The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback will meet with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, and then visit with the New York Giants on Friday.
Both the Browns and the Giants need a quarterback, though the Giants have been linked to Aaron Rodgers. Wilson threw for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 games with the Steelers last season.
Aaron Rodgers officially being cut by Jets
Now that the new league year has started, the Jets are officially designating Aaron Rodgers a post-June 1 cut, per ESPN.
The move will save the Jets $7 million, but they’ll incur $49 million total in dead money, including a $35 million cap hit in 2026.
Let the Justin Fields era begin at Orchard Park.
Bills send cornerback Kaiir Elam to the Cowboys for two draft picks
Rams set to release Cooper Kupp after failing to secure a trade
The Los Angeles Rams have reportedly informed Cooper Kupp that he’ll be released today, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The move came after the team started looking for a trade partner for Kupp, but a deal never materialized. So the Rams instead opted to simply move on.
Kupp, 31, has spent his entire eight-year career with the Rams. Although his production has declined in recent years, he is expected to have interest from multiple teams.
Could Kirk Cousins stay in Atlanta?
I thought the #Falcons were bluffing about keeping Kirk Cousins. I don’t think that anymore. They’re going to roll right through the Sunday deadline to lock in another $10 million in 2026 guaranteed salary and see where this goes. Either he’s a pricey backup or a trade candidate.
QB Marcus Mariota returning to Commanders on 1-year, $8 million deal: Report
Quarterback Marcus Mariota is re-signing with the Commanders, agreeing to a one-year, $8 million contract, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.
Mariota, 31, appeared in three games during his first season in Washington as rookie Jayden Daniels’ backup. He completed 77% of his passes (34-of-44) for 364 yards and four touchdowns.
Going into his 11th NFL season, Mariota has thrown for 16,184 yards (on a 63% completion rate) with 97 TDs and 55 interceptions. He was the 2015 first-round pick (No. 2 overall) of the Titans after winning the 2014 Heisman Trophy playing for Oregon. His best performance was during the 2016 season when he passed for 3,426 yards, 26 TDs and nine INTs for an 8-7 Tennessee
