Over the next week, we’re going to discuss the early returns for each NFL team in the free agency period. But first, a couple of notes about the structure and theme of these free agency recaps:
- We’ll do these free agency recaps four teams at a time, grouped by division
- These are early returns on the action that we saw between the start of the legal tampering period on March 13 and the end of the day on March 29.
- There will be no arbitrary “grades” assigned.
- If your favorite team didn’t get the love you expected, just know that I’m not sorry.
- Let’s have some fun and talk some football.
Denver Broncos
There’s a new sheriff in town in Broncos Country this year.
Notable Acquisitions
- RT Mike McGlinchey (5 years, $87.5 million)
- LB Alex Singleton (3 years, $18 million)
- DE Zach Allen (3 years, $45.8 million)
- OL Ben Powers (4 years, $52 million)
- QB Jarrett Stidham (2 years, $10 million)
- RB Samaje Perine (2 years, $7.5 million)
Summary
The Broncos opened the checkbook in free agency, spending big in the trenches. Mike McGlinchey highlights a free agency class that features nearly $220 million in future money commitments.
Los Angeles Chargers
It’s time to pay Justin Herbert, and the Chargers’ lack of free agency spending reflects that.
Notable Acquisitions
- RT Trey Pipkins (3 years, $21.75 million)
- LB Eric Kendricks (2 years, $13.25 million)
- TE Donald Parham (2 years, $2.5 million)
Summary
The Chargers are cap-strapped and staring down a Justin Herbert extension. They didn’t do much spending in free agency this year. Veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks is the only notable free-agent addition for them.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Super Bowl champs are looking for No. 3 of the Reid-Mahomes era next season.
Notable Acquisitions
- OT Jawaan Taylor (4 years, $80 million)
- EDGE Charles Omenihu (2 years, $20 million)
- LB Drue Tranquill (1 year, $3 million)
- S Mike Edwards (1 year, $3 million)
Summary
The Chiefs lost Orlando Brown Jr. in free agency and replaced him with Jawaan Taylor on a big-money deal. Besides that, it’s been a quiet offseason for the defending champs.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have been one of the more consistently confusing teams in the NFL in recent years.
Notable Acquisitions
- RB Josh Jacobs (franchise tag)
- QB Jimmy Garoppolo (3 years, $6.75 million)
- WR Jakobi Meyers (3 years, $33 million)
- S Marcus Epps (2 years, $12 million)
- CB Brandon Facyson (2 years, $6.5 million)
Summary
Going from Derek Carr to Jimmy Garoppolo is like going from Jimmy Garoppolo to Derek Carr. They’re both good, not great, and can win a Super Bowl with an elite team around them, but not otherwise. So, cash is the only explanation for the decision to move on from Carr to bring in Garoppolo this offseason.
Josh Jacobs is still on the franchise tag, Darren Waller is gone, and Jakobi Meyer is in on a three-year deal. I don’t get the Raiders. But I’ll say this, if Anthony Richardson is there at No. 7, they would be silly not to draft him.