Arya News - Here`s the latest news and everything you need to know about the first major wave of NFL player movement this spring.
The NFL"s franchise tag deadline has come and gone, which puts the focus on free agency, which officially opens at 4 p.m. ET on March 12. Deals can be made before that though as the so-called legal tampering period begins at noon ET on March 10. But plenty of action is already underway as teams are cutting veterans, re-signing stars and shopping for potential trades.
The Las Vegas Raiders made one of the loudest moves of the week, reportedly trading for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith . That"s a move that will have significance for Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold .
On Sunday a pair of prominent pending free agents in Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton and Vikings running back Aaron Jones returned to their teams with new deals.
Here"s everything you need to know as teams across the league continue to make moves this offseason.
Which players have received the franchise tag?
Kansas City Chiefs OL Trey Smith
Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins
This marks the fewest players tagged in a year since 1994, per ESPN .
Which players realistically could have received the franchise tag?
The Dallas Cowboys worked out a four-year, $80 million deal with defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa , who reportedly would have been place on the tag if a deal couldn"t be reached.
Darnold , meanwhile, seemed like a straightforward candidate for the tag, so that he and the Vikings could buy more time in trying to work out a longer-term deal. But the $40.2 million number for QBs on the tag (see below) was reportedly too high for the Vikings , and would have limited their ability to build out the rest of the roster.
Live 72 updates
Mon, March 10, 2025 at 12:24 AM GMT+3:30 Ryan Young
Aaron Jones re-signing with the Vikings
Aaron Jones is sticking around in Minneapolis. The running back struck a two-year, $20 million deal with the Vikings on Sunday, according to multiple reports.
Jones is coming off a career-season in the Twin Cities. He racked up 1,138 yards and seven total touchdowns while helping the Vikings to a 14-3 record in his first season with the franchise. While they lost in the wild-card round after narrowly missing out on the top seed in the NFC, Jones coming back is a huge get for the Vikings after one of their best seasons in recent memory.
For more on Aaron Jones re-signing with the Vikings, click here.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 11:03 PM GMT+3:30 Ian Casselberry
Lions to release DE Za"Darius Smith: Report
The Lions will release defensive end Za"Darius Smith to cut future salary cap costs, ESPN"s Jeremy Fowler reports .
Unfortunately for Smith, the decision comes six weeks after he posted a photo on social media of a Super Bowl-type ring he had made in anticipation of next season. However, the Lions could bring Smith back on a reworked contract which would salvage the ring.
Smith was acquired by Detroit from the Browns before the trade deadline, bringing in pass-rushing help after Aidan Hutchinson"s season ended with a broken leg . He had four sacks, 12 combined tackles and three tackles for loss with the Lions. For the season, Smith notched nine sacks and 63 total pressures.
By releasing Smith, the Lions will save $5.7 million on their cap for 2025 and $5.2 million for 2026.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 10:03 PM GMT+3:30 Jason Owens
Nick Bolton returning to Chiefs on 3-year, $45 million deal
The Kansas City Chiefs and linebacker Nick Bolton have agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million in guaranteed money, ESPN"s Adam Schefter reports.
The 2021 second-round draft pick has been a key defender on Chiefs teams that have played in three consecutive Super Bowls and won two. He tallied 106 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three sacks last season.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 9:44 PM GMT+3:30 Jason Owens
Seahawks, DT Jarran Reed agree to three-year deal ahead of free agency
The Seahawks and defensive tackle Jarran Reed have agreed to a three-year deal contract up to $25 million, ESPN"s Adam Schefter reports . The contract will keep Reed from hitting free agency.
Reed, 32, tallied 4.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, 45 tackles and five tackles for loss in 17 games last season.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 6:26 PM GMT+3:30 Ian Casselberry
Bills to release LB Von Miller in salary cap move: Report
The Bills are releasing edge rusher Von Miller, NFL Network reports .
Miller, 36, played 13 games for Buffalo last season, registering six sacks with 17 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and 32 total pressures .
Cutting him will save the Bills $8.5 million on their salary cap. Miller and the Bills are open to him rejoining the team, according to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport .
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 6:53 AM GMT+3:30
Zach Ertz rejoins Commanders on $6.25 million deal
Zach Ertz apparently liked the Commanders" offense. The veteran tight end is re-signing with Washington on a one-year, $6.25 million deal after one season with the team. After rough end to his career with the Arizona Cardinals, he ranked second on D.C. in receiving yards with 654 catching passes from Jayden Daniels.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 4:22 AM GMT+3:30 Nick Bromberg
Saints reportedly restructure Derek Carr"s deal
The Saints cap maneuvering continues.
According to ESPN, New Orleans is restructuring Derek Carr"s contract to free up nearly $31 million in cap space.
The Saints have been heavily leveraged against the cap in recent seasons and have needed to make moves like this simply to get under the cap in recent seasons. The move also means that Carr will now carry a cap number of $69 million in 2026. Unless, of course, the Saints make more cap moves.
Per Spotrac , New Orleans was over $38 million over the cap as of Saturday before Carr"s deal was redone. That means the franchise needs to make more moves simply to be cap compliant.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 4:06 AM GMT+3:30
TE Tommy Tremble returning to Panthers
Take another tight end off the board.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 3:09 AM GMT+3:30
The New York Giants are bringing their blocking TE back
11 NFL seasons for a journeyman tight end, when your only football experience before graduating college was Madden, is a decent achievement for Chris Manhertz.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 2:29 AM GMT+3:30 Yahoo Sports Staff
Ravens retains LT Ronnie Stanley on new 3-year deal
One of the biggest potential free agents of the offseason is staying put in Baltimore after the teams agreed to a new deal reported at 3 years, $60 million .
Stanley was No. 3 on Yahoo Sports" list of top 25 free agents .
Sat, March 8, 2025 at 9:45 PM GMT+3:30 Ian Casselberry
Chiefs, WR Hollywood Brown agree to 1-year deal: Report
Marquis "Hollywood" Brown is returning to the Chiefs for another season. The six-year veteran receiver has agreed to a one-year contract with Kansas City, according to several reports. The deal could earn him up to $11 million.
Last season with the Chiefs, Brown was limited to two games (starting one) after dislocating his shoulder during the preseason and eventually undergoing surgery. He returned during Week 16 and notched nine receptions for 91 yards in total. In the postseason, he caught five passes (on 13 targets) for 50 yards.
Brown, 27, had his best season in 2021 with the Ravens, tallying 91 receptions for 1,008 yards and six TDs. For his career, he"s totaled 322 catches for 3,735 yards and 28 scores with Baltimore, the Cardinals and Chiefs.
Sat, March 8, 2025 at 8:33 PM GMT+3:30 Sean Leahy
TE Mike Gesicki signs 3-year, $25.5M extension with Bengals
Gesicki, 29, caught 65 passes for 665 yards and two touchdowns last season, his first with the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent the 2023 season with the New England Patriots and his first five NFL seasons with the Miami Dolphins.
Sat, March 8, 2025 at 8:23 PM GMT+3:30 Sean Leahy
Bills, DE Greg Rousseau agree to 4-year, $80M extension
Rousseau, 24, just completed his fourth NFL season. He had 53 total tackles and eight sacks in 16 games last season.
Rousseau"s signing comes after LB Terrell Bernard and WR Khalil Shakir both signed extensions to stay in Buffalo.
Sat, March 8, 2025 at 3:46 AM GMT+3:30
Gus Edwards to become free agent after one season with Chargers
After one season and 365 rushing yard with the Los Angeles Chargers, Gus Edwards is becoming a free agent.
Sat, March 8, 2025 at 3:45 AM GMT+3:30
Seahawks trading Geno Smith, planning to pursue Sam Darnold
The Seahawks executed part 1 of a plan on Friday by trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, where he"ll reunite with head coach Pete Carroll. The next step : pursue Sam Darnold in free agency.
Sat, March 8, 2025 at 3:13 AM GMT+3:30
Lavonte David returns to the Bucs
It"s one year and $10 million for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers" longest-tenured player.
Sat, March 8, 2025 at 1:49 AM GMT+3:30
Michael Gallup unretiring after a year
Michael Gallup surprisingly retired at 28 years old last year after leaving the Dallas Cowboys for the Las Vegas in free agency. He now apparently wants to start playing again.
Sat, March 8, 2025 at 1:47 AM GMT+3:30
Kirk Cousins wants out of the Atlanta Falcons
With Michael Penix positioned as the Falcons" starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins has asked team owner Arthur Blank for a trade face-to-face.
Fri, March 7, 2025 at 10:19 PM GMT+3:30 Sean Leahy
Titans releasing OLB Harold Landry III after six seasons
Landry, 28, played 98 games in Tennessee, recording 393 tackles, 50.5 sacks and two interceptions.
Fri, March 7, 2025 at 8:32 PM GMT+3:30 Sean Leahy
Commanders set to release DT Jonathan Allen
After failing to find a trade, Allen will hit the free agent market next week. The 30-year-old, a two-time Pro Bowler, partially tore his left pectoral muscle in Week 6 and missed most of the 2024 season.
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