NFL free agency: Track the biggest trades, signings and new deals
- Paul Higham
- 21 March 2022
Keep up to date with the latest NFL free agency news, the blockbuster trades and big new signings of the 2022 offseason.
It's always an eventful time in the NFL summer, but this year we're seeing an added amount of big trade moves with a host of big name players having their futures to decide.
Some of the biggest names in the NFL are making headlines this offseason, with Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson all battling for column inches.
The Super Bowl champions Los Angeles Rams may well make another splash in free agency, while the beaten Cincinnati Bengals have obvious holes to fill.
Here we have the pick of the biggest trades, free agency signings and new deals completed in the NFL so far, with analysis of the biggest moves and our list of selected other moves further below.
Deshaun Watson - Traded from Houston Texans to Cleveland Browns
The most controversial move of the offseason comes with the Cleveland Browns going big to grab Deshaun Watson from Houston, at a massive cost including three first round draft picks.
What has really drawn some anger though is the Browns handing Watson a record guaranteed deal of $230m despite him currently having 22 civial cases for sexual assault hanging over him.
Matthew Stafford new Los Angeles Rams deal
The winning quarterback from the Super Bowl has signed a new contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams worth a reported $160million after leading his team to glory in his first year with them.
Stafford was in the final year of the contract he signed while in Detroit, but after making such an impact with the Rams he was never likely to leave.
Tom Brady - Ends retirement to return to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
He just couldn't do it could he? Tom Brady ended his NFL retirement after just six weeks when he confirmed he'd be returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to play a 23rd NFL season.
Winning seven Super Bowls and hoovering up all the major QB records just isn't enough for some people, and Brady said he still had "unfinished business" to deal with after losing to eventual winners Los Angeles Rams in last season's playoffs.
The way Brady almost led an incredible comeback, and him topping the NFL for passing TDs, yards and completions meant he was still playing at an elite level, and just a month or so as a former NFL player convinced him the desire was still there.
You wouldn't bet too much against him winning Super Bowl number eight next year.
Russell Wilson - Traded from Seattle Seahawks to Denver Broncos
The definition of a blockbuster trade, as Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson ended a decade with the Seattle Seahawks to join the Denver Broncos - who sent two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a fifth-rounder in the opposite direction.
It's a huge price to pay for Denver, who also sent three players to Seattle, but they feel that 33-year-old Wilson can propel them to the Super Bowl with a roster that boats a fine defence and young group of talented receivers.
Wilson made two Super Bowls with Seattle, winning one, and won more games in his first 10 NFL seasons than any other quarterback in history.
Davante Adams - Traded from Green Bay Packers to Las Vegas Raiders
This was a big one, as Davante Adams signed a record deal for a wide receiver with the Las Vegas Raiders when being traded from the Green Bay Packers - ending his super link-up with Aaron Rodgers.
Adams re-joins his former Fresno State college quarterback Derek Carr in Las Vegas, where he had his heart set on moving to once his relationship with the Packers soured over new deal talks.
Green Bay matched the five-year $151m deal he signed with the Raiders but his mind had been made up. He's been paid, but does leaving Rodgers and Green Bay really give him a better chance of winning a Super Bowl?
Aaron Rodgers - New deal with Green Bay Packers
The Aaron Rodgers saga finally ended with the back-to-back league MVP staying with the Green Bay Packers and signing a bumper new deal which equates to a three-year contract worth $150m.
The 38-year-old has a lot more say in matters at Lambeau Field now and feels that the Packers offer him the best chance of getting to just his second Super Bowl - even though he'll now have to do it without star receiver Davante Adams.
Von Miller - Signs for Buffalo Bills
A big statement from the Buffalo Bills as they persuaded Von Miller to turn down the chance to stay with Super Bowl winners Los Angeles Rams and sign with the Bills on a six-year deal worth $120million.
The $51.5m of guaranteed money handed out to a 32-year-old certainly helped, and the now two-time Super Bowl champ goes in search of a third ring with a third different team.
Amari Cooper - Traded from Dallas Cowboys to Cleveland Browns
Amari Cooper moved from the Dallas Cowboys to the Cleveland Browns for essentially just a fifth-round pick, but this move was basically made by Dallas to clear some much-needed salary cap space.
27-year-old Cooper is a fine receiver with four 1,000-yard seasons to his name including in two of his last three in Dallas, but the Cowboys are confident CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup can carry the load.
Khalil Mack - Traded from Chicago Bears to Los Angeles Chargers
Six-time Pro Bowler Khalil Mack moves from the Chicago Bears to the Los Angeles Chargers, where he's signed a three-year deal worth $64m and joins Joey Bosa in a fearsome pass-rushing duo.
He's 31 but the former Defensive Player of the Year is still one of the best disruptive pass rushers around and will beef-up the Chargers' defence as they face the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr and now Russell Wilson in the AFC West.
Carson Wentz - Traded from Indianapolis Colts to Washington Commanders
Carson Wentz showed glimpses of his best form while with the Indianapolis Colts last season but not enough to convince them he's their franchise QB for the future.
The 29-year-olf former Philadelphia Eagles QB has joined the newly-named Washington Commanders for a couple of third-round picks. Wentz will now play his former Eagles team twice next season.
Mitchell Trubisky - Signs with Pittsburgh Steelers
The former second overall Draft pick was a free agent and has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as the apparent replacement for Ben Roethlisberger who retired after 18 seasons as the team's starting QB.
27-year-old Trubisky never really shone during his four years with the Chicago Bears, who drafted him in 2017, and he spent last year as back-up to Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills.
Selected other trades, free agency signings & new deals
Chandler Jones: Arizona Cardinals to Las Vegas Raiders
Pro Bowl pass rusher Chandler Jones decided to leave Arizona once his contract expired and make the short trip to Las Vegas to sign with the Raiders as a free agent. Jones signed a three-year deal worth around $52m with $34m guaranteed.
Allen Robinson: Chicago Bears to Los Angeles Rams
The champs have given Matthew Stafford even more ammunition by signing free-agent receiver Allen Robinson on a three-year deal worth $45m after he left the Bears. He could be an incredible signing if he finds his best form.
JC Jackson: New England Patriots to Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers bolstered their defence by signing New England's interception machine of a cornerback JC Jackson on a five-year deal with $82.5m. 26-year-old Jackson will get $40m guaranteed after recording 25 career interceptions.
Randy Gregory: Dallas Cowboys to Denver Broncos
Real drama here as Randy Gregory looked to have signed a big new deal with the Cowboys, only to jump ship and sign for the Denver Broncos on a five-year deal with $70m. Apparently Gregory was unhappy with wording in the contract guarding Dallas against him being suspended.
DeMarcus Lawrence: New deal with Dallas Cowboys
It's a three-year deal worth $40m for Dallas' star pass rusher and main defensive star.
Shaq Mason: New England Patriots to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A fifth-round pick was all it took for the Bucs to bring Mason in via trade to add to the protection for Tom Brady this season.
