The Hottest Early 2024 NFL Free Agency Signings

Saquon Barkley: Philadelphia Eagles

The Deal: Three years, $37.75 million with $26 million fully guaranteed.

Saquon Barkley will replace D’Andre Swift in the backfield for the Eagles and at age 27 he could very well provide Philadelphia with three prime years to bolster an offense led by Jalen Hurts under center, and another trip to the Super Bowl.

“My understanding is, what they’re trying to implement schematically…they need a three down back that can operate all of that. That is Saquon Barkley. That was not D’Andre Swift. That was not Miles Sanders.” pic.twitter.com/Cz4hifuFsC

— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) March 12, 2024

D’Andre Swift: Chicago Bears

The Deal: Three years, $24.5 million with $15.3 million guaranteed.

D’Andre Swift leaves Philadelphia after only one season but he will bring his scat-back attack to the Windy City where he will be tasked with leading the Bears’ ground attack. Swift will also serve as an additional receiver coming out of the backfield.

Bears, RB D’Andre Swift agree on a three-year, $24 million deal. (via @MikeGarafolo + @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/pN5fqVTKVo

— NFL (@NFL) March 11, 2024

Kirk Cousins: Atlanta Falcons

The Deal: Four years, $180 million with $90 million fully guaranteed.

The Atlanta Falcons have been searching for a top-tier quarterback since cutting ties with longtime fan favorite, Matt Ryan. They may have very well found him in 35-year-old Kirk Cousins who leaves Minnesota after six seasons, the last of which was cut short by an Achilles injury.

#Falcons current offensive arsenal…

– QB: Kirk Cousins
– RB: Bijan Robinson
– RB2: Tyler Allgeier
– WR1: Drake London
– WR2: Darnell Mooney
– TE: Kyle Pitts pic.twitter.com/FsDAUTwNCo

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 12, 2024

Austin Ekeler: Washington Commanders

The Deal: Two years, up to $11 million.

After seven seasons in the Los Angeles Chargers backfield, Austin Ekeler found a change of scenery after a disappointing 2023 campaign. The Washington Commanders inked the 28-year-old running back to a two-year deal at a modest price.

Absolutely LOVE how Adam Peters is cooking for the @Commanders this offseason. Improved O-Line play was ESSENTIAL, so he signed Pro Bowl Center Tyler Biadasz and a tough son of a biscuit eating bulldog in Guatd Nick Allegretti. Then added TD maker Austin Ekeler. The build is on. pic.twitter.com/ddi4vaQFuV

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 12, 2024

Josh Jacobs: Green Bay Packers

The Deal: Four years, $48 million with $12.5 million guaranteed.

The Raiders elected not to exercise their fifth-year option on their first-round pick in 2019 which allowed the Green Bay Packers to make NFL news and sign the 2x Pro Bowler after a 2023 season marred by lingering injuries and decreased production. The Packers released Aaron Jones to make room for Jacobs in the tailback room.

“You’re talking about setting Jordan Love up, not for success, but for the potential for domination offensively.” 😲

—@danorlovsky7 on Josh Jacobs joining the Packers pic.twitter.com/XK3YOvsgCZ

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 12, 2024

Xavier McKinney: Green Bay Packers

The Deal: Four years, $68 million.

Xavier McKinney will leave the New York Giants after his first four seasons in the league and will sign with the Green Bay Packers, who now have an upper-echelon safety to patrol their defensive backfield. McKinney brings durability by the boatload as he and teammate Bobby Okereke were the only two defensive players not to miss a snap last season.

Xavier McKinney
Two defensive snaps in 30 seconds…. two interceptions

•1st playing single high safety
•2nd playing man coverage jumping the smoke
•Both in the middle 8#Packers fans we finally have us an elite safety#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/A8DSC5EM7n

— Packerfan Total Access- Clayton (@packers_access) March 12, 2024

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• Lions Extend Head Coach Dan Campbell’s Contract.
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Robert Hunt: Carolina Panthers

The Deal: Five years, $100 million with $63 million guaranteed.

The Carolina Panthers desperately needed an upgrade to their offensive line as rookie No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Bryce Young, was routinely menaced by a steady onslaught of blitz packages last season.

To address this weakness, Robert Hunt, who spent his first four years in Miami, was deemed worthy of being paid like one of the best guards in the league and given an eye-popping $100 million over five years with $63 million guaranteed.

Panthers agree to five-year, $100M deal with OL Robert Hunt. (via @rapsheet + @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/WacoMbwTRx

— NFL (@NFL) March 11, 2024

Here’s a look at some NFL Lines and Vegas NFL Odds to consider!

Christian Wilkins: Las Vegas Raiders

The Deal: Four years, $110 million with $84.75 million guaranteed.

Defensive tackle, Christian Wilkins, spent his first five seasons in Miami as the team’s first-round pick in 2019. Known primarily as an imposing presence in stopping the run, the defensive scheme in Miami changed and it allowed Wilkins more opportunities to get to the passer and he took full advantage, ending with a career-best nine sacks.

“Christian Wilkins is a perfect Raider. Beloved by teammates; the ultimate antagonist to opponents. His game, with Crosby and that motor, is very silver and black. I love this fit.”

– @PSchrags on the @Raiders big FA addition. pic.twitter.com/BnxQZ0bFqQ

— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) March 12, 2024

Russell Wilson: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Deal: One year, $1.2 million.

Russell Wilson signed a mega-contract extension in 2022, $245 million over five years, after being traded from Seattle to Denver. But after being named to the Pro Bowl in nine of his 10 seasons with the Seahawks, his first two seasons as a member of the Broncos were disappointing.

On March 7th, Wilson was told he would be released and the Steelers quickly swooped in to give the veteran quarterback a fresh start. The Steelers will pay Wilson the veteran minimum while Denver will pay the additional $38 million to be rid of his contract. Wilson is reported to be viewed as the starter over Pittsburgh’s 2022 first-round pick, Kenny Pickett.

BREAKING: Russell Wilson announced he is signing with the Steelers pic.twitter.com/yWevLnWvwF

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 11, 2024

Tampa Bay Bucs: Baker Mayfield & Mike Evans

The Deal: Mayfield – Three years, $100 million with $50 in total guarantees.

The Deal: Evans – Two years, up to $52 million, with $35 million guaranteed

NFL rumors were percolating that Baker Mayfield would be playing for another team after a 2023 season that saw his stock skyrocket after a middling career since being picked as the first-overall pick in the 2018 draft by the Cleveland Browns.

.@bakermayfield earned his pay day in Tampa Bay. 🔥

The Top 10 Plays from his 2023 season. pic.twitter.com/2ummEUXAZi

— NFL (@NFL) March 12, 2024

However, when the Bucs re-signed speed merchant Mike Evans, the writing was on the wall that Mayfield would be brought back to reunite with this top target. The veteran pair will have an opportunity to rekindle the chemistry that made the two a lethal pass/catch combo last season.

New Houston Texan Azeez Al-Shaair’s conversation with Mike Evans last season during one of their games:

Huge respect to him for making it this far.
pic.twitter.com/jVJW7wORqd

— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 12, 2024