Free agency in the NFL is underway, which means it is time to make some snap judgments about big decisions from around the league.
There have been plenty of transactions, but a few really stand out. Here are three winners and three losers from Day 1 of free agency.
Winners
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers continued their exciting offseason by agreeing to terms with star cornerback J.C. Jackson on a lucrative contract on Monday. Los Angeles had an explosive offense last year, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, wide receiver Keenan Allen and wide receiver Mike Williams.
The issue was the defense, but that looks like it’s being remedied in a big way. Jackson joins Khalil Mack as headlining additions this offseason. The Chargers already had elite edge rusher Joey Bosa and star safety Derwin James on that side of the ball.
#Chargers starting defense (nickel)
EDGE: Joey Bosa
DL: Austin Johnson
DL: Sebastian Joseph-Day
EDGE: Khalil MackLB: Drue Tranquill
LB: Kenneth MurrayCB: J.C. Jackson
SLOT: Asante Samuel Jr.
S: Derwin James
S: Nasir Adderley
CB: Michael DavisGetting closer…
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) March 15, 2022
Herbert is on an extremely cheap rookie quarterback contract for the next couple years and Los Angeles seems intent on making the most of it by gearing up for a potential Super Bowl run.
Christian Kirk
The former Arizona wide receiver got paidddd by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville’s interest was first reported here at Compare.bet, and I was floored after being told about a probable $17-million-per-year deal coming his way. Turns out, that sold the contract short, as Kirk got $18 million annually with incentives that could bump it north of $20 million.
Christian Kirk is definitely getting paid by the Jaguars. I've heard it could be as much as $17M per year.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) March 14, 2022
It’s an incredible contract for a slot receiver who has never reached 1,000 yards receiving in a season, but it is a reminder how quickly the salary cap is expected to rise in coming years. The Jaguars and Kirk took a lot of heat after the money was unveiled, but the bags of cash will do a great job of shielding the 25-year-old pass-catcher from criticism.
Philadelphia Eagles
There are rarely value adds at the beginning of free agency, but the Eagles did a nice job by signing edge rusher Haason Reddick to a reported three-year, $45 million deal. Reddick has 23.5 sacks over the past two seasons, the kind of production that can rival all but the elite pass-rushers in the NFL. Philadelphia made the playoffs in 2021 and has three first-round picks in the draft. Things are trending up in a big way for the Eagles, and Reddick should help that cause. He is only 27 years old and has settled in really nicely on the edge after being miscast as an inside linebacker early in his career.
Losers
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kirk got paid, which is great for him, but it was part of an enormous spending spree for Jacksonville that seems unlikely to pay dividends. Tight end Evan Engram, wide receiver Zay Jones, guard Brandon Scherff and others were added, but it’s hard to imagine Jacksonville will all of a sudden compete for a playoff spot in 2022, and much of its flexibility has been taken away.
It’s understandable why Jacksonvile is doing this. It has to overpay because free agents aren’t flocking to the Jaguars, and with Trevor Lawrence heading into Year 2, it’s imperative to increase the talent level to get competitive while he’s ultra-affordable. But the Jaguars didn’t make enough game-changing moves for all the money they spent, as the long-term forecast is not any brighter now than it was before the start of the day.
Arizona Cardinals
Like the Chargers, Arizona has a superstar quarterback on a rookie contract, but there wasn’t any aggression on the first day of free agency. The Cardinals spent the day re-signing players like running back James Conner and backup quarterback Colt McCoy while Kirk and electric running back Chase Edmonds left for new destinations. Arizona went 11-6 last season and was blown out in the wild card round by the Los Angeles Rams, but didn’t add any outside talent at the start of free agency.
This is a big day for the Cardinals, who should be going all-in for the 2022 season before Kyler Murray's contract skyrockets.
Interested to see what they do.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) March 14, 2022
Obviously there is a long way to go, but there are glaring holes at wide receiver, edge rusher and cornerback. If some premium talent isn’t added, it’s hard to imagine there will be enough pieces around Kyler Murray to make a true run at the title. And if it doesn’t happen this year, things will only get harder once he signs a contract extension and starts securing a bigger share of the salary cap.
Seattle Seahawks
If a team is going to tear down, I think they should tear it all the way down. The Miami Dolphins were a perfect example of this a couple years ago when they had a firesale that sent away Laremy Tunsil, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Kenny Stills, Kenyan Drake and others.
Seattle dealt Russell Wilson and cut Bobby Wagner recently, but then re-signed safety Quandre Diggs to a three-year, $40 million contract on Monday. The deal is fine in a vacuum, but why not allow the 29-year-old safety to bolt and secure a compensatory pick in addition to more cap room? The Seahawks now have a lot of money tied up at safety between Diggs and Jamal Adams, and they don’t figure to be competitive for at least a couple years or until the quarterback situation is ironed out.
