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HUGE weekend of pre-free agency moves: Latest trades, re-signings, cuts

NFL free agency officially begins at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 12, but the negotiation period opens at noon ET on Monday, March 10. But before free agency even begins, we had a crazy weekend full of trades, re-signings and releases. Let’s go over a handful of the top moves from the past few days…

The trades

Seahawks trade QB Geno Smith to Raiders: Las Vegas has their quarterback of the future, even if he is 34. Seattle sent Smith to the Raiders for a 2025 third-round pick after contract negotiations broke down. Smith is on the final year of his contract and is expected to be signed by Vegas long-term.

Seahawks also send WR D.K. Metcalf to Steelers: Seattle shipped their star wideout as well, sending Metcalf to Pittsburgh for a 2025 second-round pick. The Steelers plan to sign Metcalf to a massive five-year, $150 million deal.

Jaguars ship WR Christian Kirk instead: Jacksonville initially planned to release Kirk, but reversed course and instead sent the seven-year wideout to the Houston Texans for a 2026 seventh-rounder.

DL Trey Hendrickson could be traded: He hasn’t been moved yet, but the Cincinnati Bengals defensive end has been given permission to seek a trade. The team can’t seem to find a way to pay him, instead focusing on contracts for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Some interested parties could include the Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders.

The re-signings

DE Myles Garrett stays in Cleveland: It looks like money talks after all, as the Browns’ star pass rusher will remain with the team and sign a four-year contract extension worth $40 million per year.

Vikings keep RB Aaron Jones: Those hoping their team would sign Jones will be unhappy to hear that Minnesota has signed him to a two-year deal worth $20 million.

Ravens re-sign OT Ronnie Stanley: The top free agent left tackle is off the market, with Baltimore locking up Stanley on a three-year, $60 million contract with $44 million guaranteed.

Chiefs keep LB Nick Bolton, WR Hollywood Brown: Kansas City opted to keep two of its own, signing their stud linebacker Bolton to a three-year, $45 million deal, and keeping around wideout Marquise Brown on a one-year deal worth up to $11 million.

Chargers bring back LB Khalil Mack: He’s sticking around in Los Angeles on a one-year deal worth $18 million.

Bucs re-sign LB Lavonte David: Tampa Bay is keeping the 13-year vet on a one-year deal worth $10 million.

Jets sign LB Jamien Sherwood: He’s staying in New York on an identical deal as Bolton’s, signing for three years and $45 million.

Raiders keep DT Adam Butler: He’ll be sticking around on a three-year deal worth $16.5 million.

Commanders keep two: Washington re-signed tight end Zach Ertz and LB Bobby Wagner.

The cuts

Commanders cut Jonathan Allen: The hope was to trade him, but Washington ended up just releasing the 30-year-old defensive lineman, saving $17 million in cap space.

Bills release Von Miller: Buffalo saved $8.4 million by cutting the future hall of fame edge rusher.

Jags cut three players: Jacksonville parted ways with TE Evan Engram and WRs Devin Duvernay and Josh Reynolds in cap-saving moves.

Lions release Za’Darius Smith: Detroit saved $5.7 million by releasing Smith.

Titans release Harold Landry: Cutting the 28-year-old LB saved Tennessee $10.9 million.

Top available free agents at every defensive position + special teams

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Today we finish up Wendell Ferreira’s free agents series, highlighting his top five available free agents left from each defensive position, plus special teams.

Interior defensive lineman Milton Williams: “Williams became nationally recognized after his two Super Bowl sacks, but he’s been a productive player for much longer. A third-round pick in 2021, he is the type of player that teams want in free agency. He’s 25, entering his second contract, and coming off a big year. In 2024, he generated 40 total pressures and five sacks in the regular season. Williams is not a complete player, though. Last year, he had a 43.1 run defense grade by PFF, the second time in four years in which he was behind 45. As a defensive tackle, he is a designated interior rusher—and that’s really important for any defense, but the cost has to be considered.” Nos. 2-5: B.J. Hill, Levi Onwuzurike, Calais Campbell, D.J. Jones. Read more here…

Edge rusher Chase Young: “Young has played for three NFL teams over the past 18 months, which might generate some level of concern. But he is still 25 and extremely productive. Last year for the Saints, Young generated a career high 66 pressures, which is ninth in the entire NFL. Lately, Chase hasn’t been as good of a run defender as he was early in his career, but at the same time he’s more efficient as a pass rusher, which balances just fine.” Nos. 2-5: Montez Sweat, Haason Reddick, Dante Fowler Jr., Chauncey Golston. Read more here…

Off-ball linebacker Zack Baun: “Baun has always been a hybrid player, but on the Saints he was mostly an edge rusher. On the Eagles, he was a primary off-ball linebacker, and it unlocked his game. Now, the questions are how sustainable his performance is, and how much money he will make after one season of high-end play. His biggest calling card in 2024 was the ability to cover, allowing an 88.4 passer rating when targeted. But it’s hard to project the durability of this level, since he had barely had coverage snaps as an edge and wasn’t particularly good at it in New Orleans.” Nos. 2-5: Dre Greenlaw, Oren Burks, Ernest Jones IV, Tyrel Dodson. Read more here…

Cornerback Charvarius Ward: “It was a truly tough year for Ward with a personal tragedy, and it all goes well beyond football. Now, he wants out of California. He will be 29 by Week 1, but if he can return to his level of 2022 and 2023, Ward is by far the best cornerback on the market. Two seasons ago, he allowed a 62.3 passer rating when targeted.” Nos. 2-5: Byron Murphy, D.J. Reed, Carlton Davis, Paulson Adebo. Read more here…

Safety Jevon Holland: “The Dolphins considered a franchise tag here, but $18.6 million was ultimately too much money for one year, especially because the entire value would hit the cap at once. Holland had an elite season playing for Vic Fangio in 2023, but he’s been much more than a system merchant. He has been consistently good as an all-around player, but especially as a run defender. In coverage there are more ups and downs, but the ups are real. And he’s only 25.” Nos. 2-5: Trevon Moehrig, Andre Cisco, Talanoa Hufanga, Justin Reid. Read more here…

Kicker Eddy Piñeiro: “Just like most kickers, Piñeiro also took some time to develop into a viable kicker and had a rough time for the Chicago Bears early in his career. But after moving around, he established himself as a solid player over his last three years with the Panthers. Throughout the 2024 season, he even became the NFL’s all-time field goal percentage leader during a two-week stretch. He’s 29, so there’s a lot left in the tank.” Nos. 2-5: Joey Slye, Nick Folk, Austin Seibert, Zane Gonzalez. Read more here…

Punter J.K. Scott: “A former fifth-round pick, Scott had a tough time punting in the cold during his time with the Packers. However, he rebuilt his value for the Chargers and was one of the top punters in the league lately. He’s still 29, so there’s long-term upside, especially if you’re a dome team.” Nos. 2-5: Riley Dixon, Tress Way, Bryan Anger, Johnny Hekker. Read more here…

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