Officially, free agency 2022 in the NFL began on Wednesday, March 16th. An overview of the most important transactions …
208.2 million US dollars in cap space are available to the 32 teams for player salaries in the upcoming regular season 2022/23.
Year after year, of course, this means that the teams cannot keep all the stars and top players. Negotiations, cuts, new contracts are the result – or spectacular resignations from the resignation like that of Tom Brady on Sunday.
And even if free agency doesn’t start until this Wednesday (March 16), a lot is already happening. An overview of the most important commitments, renewals and layoffs …
21. April 202258:31 minutes
ITK #11: This happens on draft day in the NFL
The countdown is running. In a few days, this year’s NFL Draft will take place in Las Vegas. In the new episode of this podcast in cooperation between kicker and footballerei, we explain what exactly happens on Draft Day. How do the best college players in their year know which NFL team will own the rights to them? Team owner, general manager or head coach – who actually makes the final decision when choosing the draft picks? Which ten talents do you think will be the first to leave the draft board? We provide you with answers to all these and many other questions. The next episode of “Icing the kicker” will be available on May 5th. Photo Credit: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire
Denver Broncos: Star quarterback Russell Wilson has been signed by the Seattle Seahawks, who have also parted ways with longtime linebacker Bobby Wagner and held safety Quandre Diggs (three-year contract). The Broncos also attracted former Dallas Cowboys defensive back Randy Gregory to Denver.
Green Bay Packers: In addition to Aaron Rodgers’ contract extension, the team from the NFC North had held linebacker De’Vondre Campbell ($50 million for five years) as well as linebacker Preston Smith. Star receiver, Vomste Adams, was supposed to be kept with the franchise tag, but the 29-year-old refused to continue playing for the Packers and wanted to leave. He will join the Las Vegas Raiders for one first-round and one second-round draft pick this year.
Buffalo Bills: The Bills landed a two-time Super Bowl winner in Von Miller. The pass rusher comes from the Los Angeles Rams and has signed for six years and $120 million.
Indianapolis Colts: After the Wentz departure, Indy fills the gap at the quarterback position with a former MVP. Matt Ryan comes in from Atlanta for a third-round draft pick. The unrest over the failed signing of Deshaun Watson is now followed by a restart for the Falcons.
Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins have two new running backs: Chase Edmonds comes from the Arizona Cardinals, Raheem Mostert from the San Francisco 49ers. Playmaker Teddy Bridgewater has also been brought in as backup behind Tua Tagovailoa, while tight end Mike Gesicki received the franchise tag. There was also a high-grade hammer: Tyreek Hill was rid of the Kansas City Chiefs.
New England Patriots: Backup quarterback Brian Hoyer is available for another two years, and safety Devin McCourty has opted for another year under head coach Bill Belichick.
Cincinnati Bengals: The team that narrowly lost the Super Bowl to the Los Angeles Rams continues to rely on safety Jessie Bates (Franchise Tag). In order to be able to better protect franchise quarterback Joe Burrow in the future, the Bengals took several money into their hands: Tom Brady’s former protector Alex Cappa comes from Tampa Bay (4 years, 40 million US dollars) and Ted Karras signed a three-year contract over 18 million dollars.
From now on goes hunting for the Browns: Amari Cooper.
imago images/Icon SMI
Cleveland Browns: The Browns landed a real coup in this year’s free agency: Quarterback Deshaun Watson comes to Ohio from Houston. However, the price for the 26-year-old is high. Watson and a fifth-round pick move to Cleveland, in exchange for the Browns sending three first-round picks, a third-round pick and a fourth-round pick to Texas. A lot has also happened in the other positions on the offensive: After the team from the AFC North lost pass receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to Rams in the middle of last season, they have now parted with top receiver Jarvis Landry. But top address Amari Cooper comes from the Dallas Cowboys, while tight end David Njoku received the franchise tag.
Pittsburgh Steelers: After the end of “Big Ben” Roethlisberger’s career, “Steel City” still has Mason Rudolph available. But that’s not all: Mitchell Trubisky, the long-time Bears hopeful, who last replaced Josh Allen with the Bills, has now been signed (a two-year contract) – and should ideally establish himself as an undisputed starter.
San Francisco 49ers: Former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward has signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the 49ers.
Las Vegas Raiders: The team from the AFC West was not allowed to let go of their top defensive end Maxx Crosby – and they did not: The strong attacker has been kept for almost $ 100 million in four years. His new partner in the quarterback hunt will be former Cardinal Chandler Jones, signing for three years and $51 million. Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue has to make way for Jones: He trades for Rock Ya-Sin to the Indianapolis Colts. In addition, Carl Nassib was fired. New is the German fullback Jakob Johnson, who comes from New England. After many reinforcements on the defensive, the Raiders also managed an absolute coup on the offensive. Per trade comes Davante Adams from the Packers, who also signs a new working paper for five years and 141.25 million US dollars in Las Vegas.
Los Angeles Chargers: In addition to fast-moving wide receiver Mike Williams, who has renewed for another three years and $60 million, LA has also struck on the open market with pass rusher Khalil Mack of the Chicago Bears and Jerald Christopher “JC” Jackson of the New brought England Patriots. The cornerback has recorded 17 interceptions since 2020, as many as the entire Chargers team during that period. The Chargers have also restructured in the middle of the defense: Sebastian Joseph-Day comes for three years and 24 million from the neighboring city, the LA Rams and Austin Johnson signed a two-year contract for 12 million US dollars.
Los Angeles Rams: The reigning Super Bowl champ adds another playmaker to his arsenal: wide receiver Allen Robinson (most recently with the Bears) signs in California for three years and over $46 million.
Dallas Cowboys: Wide receiver Michael Gallup is staying and has signed for five years and over $60 million. In addition, in addition to saying goodbye to Amari Cooper (Browns), the franchise tag has been used for tight end Dalton Schultz and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (on the team since 2014) has been retained for another three years and a fully guaranteed $30 million.
Washington Commanders: The team from the US capital has chosen Carson Wentz from the Colts as their new quarterback.
Minnesota Vikings: There have always been a few rumors about Kirk Cousins and a possible farewell, but now the playmaker has drawn a line and extended it for another year. Cousins is thus under contract for 2022 and 2023 and at the same time relieves the cap somewhat for the coming season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tom Brady is making a comeback and will be in Munich with the Bucs, that’s been the big news this offseason. In addition, both wide receiver Chris Godwin and reliable center Ryan Jensen have renewed for three more years.
Arizona Cardinals: Running back James Conner has been active for the Cards for a year since leaving the Steelers, has recorded 15 rushing touchdowns and has now pledged for three more years and a possible $ 21 million. Tight end Zach Ertz has also been retained (three-year contract).
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars, who were the worst team of the past NFL season, were extremely active on the first day of free agency and were able to introduce six newcomers. Wide receiver Christian Kirk, arrives in Florida from Arizona on a four-year deal worth at least $72 million, well above market value. Arguably the best offensive lineman out there, Brandon Scherff (ex-Washington Commanders) also joins Doug Pederson’s team on a three-year, $49 million contract. The Jaguars are joined by wide receiver Zay Jones (Las Vegas Raiders), tight end Evan Engram (New York Giants), defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi (New York Jets) and linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (Atlanta Falcons).
Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs have a new safety. After the contract with the former heart of the defense, Tyrann Mathieu has not yet been renewed, the former Houston-Teaxans player Justin Reid has now signed a lucrative three-year contract. Meanwhile, top receiver Tyreek Hill (Dolphins) has left the team.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles have agreed a three-year, $45 million deal with pass-rushing specialist Haason Reddick (formerly of the Carolina Panthers).
Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens have reached an agreement with safety Marcus Williams. The former New Orleans Saints defensive end signs for five years and will make $70 million. Top linebacker Za’Darius Smith was considered a safe new signing, but now the 29-year-old is said to have changed his mind. He is still a free agent.
Tennessee Titans: After just one year, the Nashville team has parted ways with Julio Jones. The 33-year-old wide receiver was released by the Titans and is now one of the biggest names out there.
New Orleans Saints: New Orleans will probably continue to rely on Jameis Winston in the most important position. The quarterback, whose contract expired after tearing his cruciate ligament last season, has signed with New Orleans for two more years. The Saints brought in veteran Andy Dalton for a year as a potential representative.