The primary week of 2023 NFL free company is within the books.
Quarterbacks Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints), Jimmy Garoppolo (Las Vegas Raiders), Taylor Heinicke (Atlanta Falcons), Andy Dalton (Carolina Panthers), Jarrett Stidham (Denver Broncos), Jacoby Brissett (Cleveland Browns), Mike White (Miami Dolphins), Case Keenum (Houston Texans), Sam Darnold (San Francisco 49ers), Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Nick Mullens (Minnesota Vikings) have all signed.
Remaining free agent signal-callers embrace Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Teddy Bridgewater and Joe Flacco.
Whereas the quarterbacks make headlines, sort out Mike McGlinchey and guard Ben Powers have been signed by the Broncos to guard Russell Wilson.
This is a take a look at affect signings for each crew and hyperlinks to each participant signed by all 32 groups.
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AFC EAST
The Payments’ large query mark at security was answered and the duo of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde might be again for no less than one other season. Previous to free company, Poyer had expressed his pleasure in exploring the market, however clearly the 2021 first-team All-Professional didn’t discover the gives he was in search of. Poyer, who turns 32 in April, as a substitute returns to fill a giant gap at security for the Payments reverse Hyde, whom he has began alongside since 2017. — Alaina Getzenberg
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The Dolphins re-signed Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. to shore up the backfield. Mostert turned in his healthiest season since 2019 and set a profession excessive in speeding yards in 2022 with 891, main the Dolphins. Miami traded a fifth-round decide for Wilson previous to final yr’s commerce deadline, and he shaped an impactful tandem with Mostert. Each backs will doubtless reprise their roles in 2023, with the hopes {that a} full offseason collectively in Miami will assist the Dolphins run the ball extra successfully than they did final season (twenty fifth in speeding yards per recreation). — Marcel Louis-Jacques
The Patriots signed JuJu Smith-Schuster to exchange Jakobi Meyers. At 6-foot-1, 215 kilos, Smith-Schuster joins the highest of a large receiver depth chart that features a large boundary goal in DeVante Parker (6-3, 219), a burner with the potential to additional develop as a nuanced route runner in Tyquan Thornton (6-2, 182) and a high-energy slot in Kendrick Bourne (6-1, 190). — Mike Reiss
Perhaps quarterback Aaron Rodgers has a want listing, possibly not. Regardless, the Jets’ signing of Allen Lazard will make Rodgers comfortable if he turns into their quarterback. Rodgers reportedly wished Lazard, and common supervisor Joe Douglas delivered. Chances are high, the Jets would’ve made the transfer anyway as a result of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, previously the Packers offensive coordinator, is excessive on Lazard. This intensifies the hypothesis that Corey Davis might be launched or traded. Talentwise, it is in all probability a wash between Lazard and a wholesome Davis, however Lazard, 27, is a yr youthful and extra cap-friendly than the oft-injured Davis. — Wealthy Cimini
AFC NORTH
The Ravens retained their No. 3 operating again in Justice Hill and certainly one of their prime particular groups gamers. After lacking your complete 2021 season with an Achilles damage, Hill confirmed unimaginable burst final season. He averaged a career-best 5.3 yards per carry. Hill, a fourth-round decide 4 years in the past, is the one remaining participant from Baltimore’s eight-player draft class in 2019. — Jamison Hensley
The Bengals made an enormous funding in Joe Burrow’s go safety by signing sort out Orlando Brown. The $31 million signing bonus Cincinnati is giving to Brown is believed to be the very best ever given to an offensive lineman, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. That quantity exceeds the mixed assured cash obtained by offensive linemen Ted Karras, Alex Cappa and La’el Collins after they signed with the Bengals in 2022. If the Bengals are going to put money into Burrow and the passing recreation, it requires fixing a go safety unit that ranked thirtieth in go block win fee final season. — Ben Child
The Browns landed one of many top-tier free agent defensive tackles in Dalvin Tomlinson, addressing their largest want. Tomlinson ranked No. 34 amongst all NFL inside defensive linemen in go rush win fee (7.3%) and had the Vikings’ third-highest strain fee (5.3%) final season. He additionally ranked thirty second final yr in run cease win fee (33.2%) amongst DTs, forward of any DT on Cleveland’s roster final season. That ought to assist enhance what was one of many worst run defenses within the league final yr. — Jake Trotter
Larry Ogunjobi re-signed with the Steelers on a three-year, $28.75 million deal, addressing the defensive position. Ogunjobi was a vital run-stopper final season after signing a one-year low cost deal — $8 million — final offseason after his cope with Chicago fell via due to a failed bodily from a foot damage. He performed effectively for the Steelers with seven tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits — effectively sufficient to get a giant payday in Pittsburgh. — Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
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The Texans signed Robert Woods to a two-year, $15.25 million cope with $10 million totally assured, sources mentioned. The Texans added a veteran broad receiver who’s accustomed to offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s system. Woods performed for Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay from 2017 to 2021, and McVay ran the same scheme. Underneath McVay, Woods had 367 receptions for 4,626 yards — together with two seasons by which he went over 1,000 yards — and 23 touchdowns in 5 seasons (2016-2021) with the Rams. This addition provides depth to the place and will ease the blow of doubtless dropping Brandin Cooks, who requested for a commerce final season and has been vocal about not eager to be a part of a rebuilding crew. — DJ Bien-Aime
The Colts and kicker Matt Homosexual agreed to a four-year, $22.5 million deal. The Colts have had a ton of inconsistency at kicker ever since Adam Vinatieri’s closing season in 2019. The doubtless Corridor of Famer struggled with accidents that season and had one of many worst seasons of his illustrious profession. That was adopted by the dramatic falloff of Rodrigo Blankenship final season, with the Colts reducing him after one week. Signing Homosexual brings stability to a key place. He transformed 60 of 64 subject aim makes an attempt with the Rams the previous two seasons. — Stephen Holder
The Jags want to construct via the draft and never free company, which could clarify why they have not made many strikes. Jacksonville has re-signed security Andrew Wingard and cornerback Tevaughn Campbell. — Michael DiRocco
After three underwhelming seasons with the Raiders, Arden Key skilled a breakout season in his lone season in San Francisco when he posted profession highs in sacks (6.5) and quarterback hits (17). Key signed a one-year cope with the Jaguars earlier than final season and completed with 4.5 sacks together with 15 quarterback hits and made three begins. The Titans wanted to discover a veteran pass-rusher after releasing Bud Dupree in a cost-cutting transfer. Key doubtless begins reverse Harold Landry III, who’s getting back from a torn ACL in coaching camp final yr.– Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
The Broncos signed offensive sort out Mike McGlinchey and guard Ben Powers to guard Russell Wilson. McGlinchey was on the prime of the Broncos’ precedence listing from the primary conferences between the personnel division and Sean Payton’s new teaching employees. McGlinchey is coming off a season by which he posted the second-highest go block win fee (89.6%) of his profession to go together with the very best run block win fee (81.3%) of his profession. Powers, who has began at each left and proper guard with the Ravens, doubtlessly provides the Broncos some further energy in the midst of the formation. Wilson noticed his footwork and decision-making deteriorate final season, particularly because the offense stored taking part in out of three-wide units as a result of the Broncos could not management opposing inside rushers. — Jeff Legwold
The Chiefs reached an settlement with former Jaguars offensive sort out Jawaan Taylor on a four-year, $80 million deal. The Chiefs have a brand new beginning left sort out to exchange Orlando Brown Jr., who performed two seasons for the Chiefs, the final as their franchise participant. Taylor has been nearly completely a proper sort out for the Jaguars, so he must make the swap to the opposite aspect of the road. — Adam Teicher
Jakobi Meyers agreed to a three-year contract with the Raiders value $33 million because the New England-to-Las Vegas connection continues. The Raiders add a legit No. 2 receiver behind All-Professional Davante Adams. Meyers, who performed for Raiders coach Josh McDaniels for 3 seasons, led the Patriots with 804 receiving yards and a career-high six landing catches on 67 receptions final season. He is a giant goal at 6-foot-2, 200 kilos, and is very adept between the numbers, including one other weapon for brand spanking new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. — Paul Gutierrez
Linebacker Eric Kendricks will be a part of the Chargers on a two-year deal. The Chargers fill a place in want with Kendricks, a ninth-year professional who final season led the Vikings with 137 tackles. In L.A., Kendricks will step right into a beginning position vacated by unrestricted free agent Drue Tranquill, whom the Bolts aren’t anticipated to retain. Kendricks joins a protection that, if wholesome, ought to contend as a prime unit within the NFL, that includes edge rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa and security Derwin James III. — Lindsey Thiry
NFC EAST
Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch has agreed to return to Dallas on a two-year deal value $11 million. The Cowboys maintain a key piece of their protection. His absence was felt when he missed the ultimate three regular-season video games attributable to damage. He will get all people within the right spots, however he’s additionally productive. He had 100 tackles, second on the crew. Within the two playoff video games, he led the Cowboys with 21 tackles. Vander Esch has performed in 30 of the previous 34 video games after accidents curtailed his 2019 and 2020 seasons. Final yr, he confirmed the same kind to his rookie yr, when he was named to the Professional Bowl. — Todd Archer
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The Giants signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year deal value as much as $160 million. The Giants are married to Jones as their quarterback for no less than the subsequent three seasons with assured cash. Coach Brian Daboll and common supervisor Joe Schoen got here to the conclusion he was ok to not solely maintain however to construct round. This offers Jones a possibility to take his recreation to the subsequent degree with familiarity within the system. This now assures that operating again Saquon Barkley may even return, as he obtained the franchise tag minutes after Jones’ deal. Jones has to construct on the 15 landing passes and 5 interceptions from final season and solidify himself as a perennial top-10 quarterback. — Jordan Raanan
All-Professional cornerback James Bradberry is returning on a three-year deal value $38 million. A variety of the defensive expertise has left the constructing, however the Eagles retain a key participant in Bradberry, who was named second-team All-Professional this previous season after posting 17 passes defensed and three interceptions. He is a brilliant, strong nook. His presence will assist fortify a secondary that ranked first in go protection final season. — Tim McManus
Andrew Wylie and Nick Gates have been signed to solidify the offensive line. Wylie, a former Chief, can play each guard and sort out, and Washington wants a starter at each spots. It seems he’ll find yourself taking part in proper sort out. If that certainly is the case, then Sam Cosmi would transfer to protect. Regardless, signing Wylie solidifies the Commanders’ proper aspect. He is additionally somebody new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is aware of effectively, having coached him in Kansas Metropolis. Wylie had certainly one of his greatest video games within the Tremendous Bowl in opposition to Eagles pass-rusher Hassan Reddick. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
The Bears gave Tremaine Edmunds a four-year, $72 million deal that features $50 million assured. Edmunds was one of many hottest defensive gamers accessible and upgrades the weakside linebacker place. He is 24, but has 5 years of NFL expertise, having began the second Buffalo drafted him with the sixteenth general decide in 2018 (74 regular-season video games, all eight postseason video games). Edmunds improved in protection in 2022 and tacked on 102 tackles, his fifth straight season reaching no less than 100. His versatility led to 5 profession interceptions, 35 passes defended, two pressured fumbles and 6.5 sacks, and helped him morph into among the finest off-ball linebackers within the NFL. — Courtney Cronin
The Lions and former Bears operating again David Montgomery have reached an settlement on a three-year, $18 million deal together with $11 million assured. Montgomery excels in short-yardage conditions. He was thought-about to be among the many prime operating again choices available on the market in free company this offseason, speeding for 801 yards and 5 touchdowns whereas showing in 16 video games. Montgomery additionally caught 34 passes for 316 receiving yards and a landing. — Eric Woodyard
Keisean Nixon and the Packers agreed to phrases on a one-year deal value as much as $6 million after he single-handedly modified the Packers’ return recreation within the second half of the season, main many to query why it took particular groups coordinator Wealthy Bisaccia and coach Matt LaFleur so lengthy to make the change. However after they did, it was an instantaneous success. Nixon led the NFL with 5 kickoff returns of 50-plus yards final season; no different participant had greater than two. He led the NFL with a 28.8-yard kickoff return common, together with a 105-yard landing return. And he did all of it starting in Week 12. He was named a first-team All-Professional. — Rob Demovsky
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Alexander Mattison agreed to phrases on a two-year deal to return to the Vikings. The Vikings’ resolution to ensure Dalvin Cook dinner’s backup greater than $6 million on the primary official day of free company led to an instantaneous query: Does that imply they’re achieved with Cook dinner? It is exhausting to keep away from that conclusion realizing that NFL groups are loath to pay actual cash to at least one operating again, not to mention two. Mattison had the fewest touches of his profession final season as Cook dinner stayed wholesome for all 17 video games. Why would Mattison return for an additional season of that? There may be extra to return on this story because it pertains to Cook dinner, who’s due $11 million in money and counts $14.1 million on the Vikings’ 2023 wage cap. — Kevin Seifert
NFC SOUTH
The Falcons and Jessie Bates III agreed to a four-year deal value $64.02 million. Bates, 26, is the splash of their free company class as a flexible security who can each cowl and deal with the run. He has 14 profession interceptions and 43 passes defended together with 478 tackles. He might be a centerpiece for defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen and a training employees that believes wholeheartedly in versatility. — Michael Rothstein
Operating again Miles Sanders signed a four-year, $25 million cope with the Panthers. The Panthers have a younger (25), dynamic operating again who will help within the operating and passing video games. They usually’ve added one other piece to the puzzle to take the strain off whichever quarterback they choose with the highest decide. Sanders was a key piece to the Eagles’ high-scoring offense final season, speeding for 1,269 yards. As a rookie in 2019, he caught 50 passes for 509 yards and three touchdowns when his place coach was Duce Staley, now with the Panthers. Sanders will make an important double risk with Chuba Hubbard, and Carolina nonetheless hasn’t dominated out maintaining energy again D’Onta Foreman, final yr’s main rusher, in line with a supply with information of the state of affairs. — David Newton
The Saints signed quarterback Derek Carr to a two-year deal and sure have change into the front-runners within the NFC South. New Orleans has struggled on offense since quarterback Drew Brees retired after the 2020 season and has made a number of makes an attempt to discover a substitute, going after Deshaun Watson final yr and taking part in Taysom Hill, Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston, amongst others. This offers the Saints their starter for a number of years and permits them to deal with including offensive weapons. — Katherine Terrell
Quarterback Baker Mayfield signed a one-year deal that might push his earnings to $8.5 million with incentives. This is not starter cash, however it’s “show it” cash. Mayfield will get a real shot to revive his profession after exhibiting promise with the Los Angeles Rams final season. Mayfield was claimed off waivers by the Rams on Dec. 6, three days after the crew positioned beginning quarterback Matthew Stafford on injured reserve, and went 2-2 as their starter. However that was additionally after going 1-5 as a starter with the Carolina Panthers, who launched Mayfield earlier within the season. This does not thwart the Bucs’ long-term plans with Kyle Trask, nevertheless it does give him competitors for the beginning position whereas giving the Bucs a security valve if Trask is not prepared. — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Matt Prater agreed to phrases on a two-year deal as, arguably, the second-most necessary participant on the roster. The 38-year-old Prater is coming off a season by which he made 22 of 25 subject targets and 17 of 18 further factors. He has been traditionally constant, which the Cardinals, like each crew, want from their kicker. A hip damage plagued Prater final season, however he missed simply three subject targets. — Josh Weinfuss
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The Rams haven’t got a lot cap house, and it reveals within the free agent signings. The Rams re-signed offensive lineman Coleman Shelton, who performed effectively sufficient in 2022 that he selected to void the ultimate season of the two-year deal he signed final offseason and was rewarded with a brand new contract. Though the Rams handled vital accidents to their offensive line final season, Shelton began 13 video games for Los Angeles, lacking 4 video games with a excessive ankle sprain. Los Angeles was comfortable to have the versatile Shelton again; the offensive lineman began video games at proper guard, middle and left guard final season attributable to accidents to the group. — Sarah Barshop
Javon Hargrave, the No. 2 free agent in ESPN’s prime 100, reached settlement on a four-year, $84 million deal that features $40 million assured. In touchdown Hargrave, the Niners can pair him with Bosa and lineman Arik Armstead. There’s nonetheless some work to do within the secondary, however San Francisco’s protection was No. 1 within the league final yr and has an opportunity to be even higher in 2023 with Hargrave on board. It is an added bonus that Hargrave’s departure weakens the Eagles, a crew the Niners determine to be battling for the NFC crown for the subsequent few seasons. — Nick Wagoner
The Seahawks re-signed quarterback Geno Smith to a three-year deal value as much as $105 million. Seattle is committing to Smith for no less than the subsequent two seasons. Even so, that will not essentially preclude the Seahawks from spending a first-round decide on a quarterback subsequent month. A front-seven defender, nonetheless, appears extra doubtless at No. 5 general — particularly if Seattle re-signs Drew Lock to stay Smith’s backup. — Brady Henderson