There was a ton of spending going on around the NFL world on Monday. But the Falcons and Bears did a considerable amount of it. How does their Monday spending affect what they have left to spend?
- The Atlanta Falcons started the day by making guard Chris Lindstrom the highest-paid guard in the NFL with a massive contract extension and ended it by adding Taylor Heinicke to their QB room.
- In between the Lindstrom and Heinicke deals, Atlanta signed linebacker Kaden Elliss, safety Jessie Bates III, and defensive tackle David Onyemata. The Falcons spent nearly $141 million in future money on those four players. As far as 2023 and their current cap situation is concerned, OTC has the Falcons with $44 million to spend.
- The Chicago Bears made some big splashes as well. Ryan Poles and company made two additions to their linebacking core with deals from T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. The Bears also added offensive lineman Nate Davis and defensive end DeMarcus Walker.
- The Bears invested $135.5 million in future money to those four free agents. According to OTC, the Bears still have roughly $50 million in cap space to work with for the 2023 season.
- Together, the Falcons and Bears invested roughly $276.5 million in future contracts on day one of the legal tampering period. Both teams still have plenty of money to spend and will surely do so.
- Did you miss any of the free agency action while you were sleeping last night? There were some pretty big names that came off the board. Luckily, the Ian Rapoports and Adam Schefters of the world know no time limits. Get caught up on the action here:
- The free agency action is already moving this morning. There was no movement on the wide receiver market on Monday, however, the wide receiver market is getting going with Jakobi Meyers the first name off of the board. Meyers is heading to Vegas to join Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow as Jimmy Garoppolo‘s new targets.
- Meyers’ new deal with the Raiders is for three years and $33 million. Meyers caught 67 passes for 804 yards and six touchdowns in New England last season.
- According to Ian Rapoport, Allen Lazard may be the next wide receiver off of the board. Lazard and the Jets are working on a deal. Could Lazard be reunited with Rodgers in the Big Apple next season? Will another one of Rodgers’ pals, Randall Cobb, head to New York too?
- You know what would be hilarious? If the Jets went out of their way to sign all of Rodgers’ buddies, and he then decided that he didn’t want to go there. But that would only be funny if he retired because I don’t want anything to do with him being in the NFC North anymore. But I digress.
- As for the Jets, they better hope that Rodgers decides to go to New York because the QB options are drying up. Derek Carr signed with New Orleans. Jimmy Garoppolo signed with the Raiders. Even guys like Sam Darnold (49ers), Mike White (Dolphins), Taylor Heinicke (Falcons), and Jameis Winston (Saints) are off the board.
- Onto some other free agency news that is rolling in this morning. The Dolphins are hammering out a deal to keep running back Raheem Mostert in Miami.
- The Dallas Cowboys have re-signed Donovan Wilson to a three-year deal worth up to $24 million with the first two years fully guaranteed.
- Like yesterday, I’m going to keep these bullets a little shorter than normal because I’m sure that I will have plenty of work ahead of me today with NFL free agency still rolling.
- As always, Luis has the Bears’ side of things covered pretty thoroughly on his side of things.
- Well, that kind of stinks: