NFL Free Agency Winners & Losers
The NFL off-season is in full swing with the official start of free agency this week as we saw some of the top free agents find their new homes for the 2021 season as well as some free agents returning home. While there is certainly plenty of time left between now and the draft for more moves to be made, let’s take a look at who were some of the top winners and losers of free agency after one week:
ARIZONA CARDINALS- WINNERS
The top team on my list of winners is the Arizona Cardinals. They may not have made the most moves or spent the most money but the moves they did make are some of the best moves so far this off-season. The Cardinals signed former Bengals WR AJ Green along with former defensive player of the year, JJ Watt, as well as trade for one of the leagues top C in Rodney Hudson. HC Kliff Kingsbury and the Cardinals are going all in this season and they should be fun to watch in the stacked NFC West.
CHICAGO BEARS- LOSERS
Unlike the Cardinals, the Chicago Bears are on the top of my list of losers this off-season. Bears fans have been teased with a potential trade for Seahawk’s QB Russell Wilson for the last month but after Seattle declined the Bears top offer, Chicago decided to sign Andy Dalton. Not to mention the team already has a similar QB in Nick Foles as well as salary cap issues leading to the release of former pro bowl CB Kyle Fuller. While the Bears did sign CB Desmond Trufant as a decent replacement for Fuller, that does not change the fact that the Bears current QB room is Andy Dalton & Nick Foles. They could shock the world and trade up in the draft for a rookie like they did in 2017 for Mitch Trubisky but hopefully this time they pick the right QB.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS- WINNERS
Since free agency started, no team has spent more money than the New England Patriots. After the departure of hall of fame QB Tom Brady and missing out on the playoffs, HC Bill Belichick decided it was time to spend some money. Through the first week of free agency, the Patriots spent over $260 million on free agents including TEs Jonnu Smith & Hunter Henry, pass rusher Matt Judon, S Jalen Mills & WR Nelson Agholor. New England is surrounding QB Cam Newton with as much talent as possible in hopes they can return to the playoffs once again.
GREEN BAY PACKERS- LOSERS
After losing to Tampa Bay in the NFC Championships this February, the Green Bay Packers were a team many thought would be players in free agency, especially for a WR opposite Davante Adams. Instead. Green Bay has been relatively quiet in free agency except for resigning star RB Aaron Jones and cutting loose C Corey Linsley. While there is still time for Green Bay to add some talent to their roster, the majority of the top WRs are off the market so maybe the mid-west powerhouse is turning their focus to the draft.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- WINNERS
While most are focusing on the NFL Draft when it comes to the Jasonville Jaguars and their re-building process, they also grabbed themselves some quality free agents without having to spend a lot of money. Some of their top signings including WR Marvin Jones, CB Shaquill Griffin & DL Roy Robertson Harris as well as trade for DL Malcom Brown. These are the types of signings that will make the draft process a whole lot easier for the new HC Urban Meyer and his staff come April once they hand the keys to rookie QB Trevor Lawrence.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS- WINNERS
The Super Bowl Champions were able to retain most of their top free agents in a year where we saw the salary cap take a big hit; that itself is a win for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Don’t be surprised if they are once again the Superbowl led by QB Tom Brady and HC Bruce Arians.