The NFL won't just wait.
Previously, the start of the league's legal tampering period was to drive free agency into high gear, but that wasn't the case in the 2025 offseason. With some interesting players fully released prior to free agency, some additions were made before the legitimate tampering window opened.
With some big names agreeing to the terms of the new deal, it's time to start handing out some grades. Of course, we will continue to grade transactions so that a legitimate tamper window opens, and until the start of the official league year.
Let's have fun.
Chris Godwin returns to the Buccaneers on a three-year contract worth $66 million: a-
If you have the right pass catcher with chemistry at the quarterback, pay them.
Jaylon Moore to Chiefs on a two-year contract worth $30 million: C-
In other words, woof. $15 million a year for a man who might become a more external zone fit and a man who wasn't very good in the attack designed to hide him. Now he goes to Kansas City and in a deal that places him in the range of guys like Orlando Brown JR, hoping he can help him return this team to the title.
I have no idea about this at all.
Haason Reddick to Bucs on a one-year contract worth $14 million: B-
This is all conditioned if Reddick decides to display (both primary and literal), but I think this is a low risk and high reward transaction for BUCS. They need pass rushing desperately and the ability to win ahead without blitz. Reddick shows he can do it, but at this point in his career the $10 million guarantee is abrupt. Let's see if that works.
Evan Brown returns to Cardinals on a two-year contract of up to $11.5 million: B+
When Bredeson wins more money, Brown gets this kind of deal, which is of great value to Cardinals. Brown is another Arizona border starting caliber player, maintaining continuity ahead of time. I love the value here.
Ben Bredeson returns to Bucs in a three-year deal worth $22 million, with $12 million guaranteed: B-
Do you think this transaction is just… okay? Bredeson is the starting security guard at Tampa's boundary line, which maintains frontline continuity as the job of an offensive coordinator changes again. The guaranteed $1.2 million is a bit scary to give to a guy who isn't a top-flight guy, but getting him for about $7 million a year for him and Tampa Bay is a great deal. I think this money was spent somewhere else. The Bucs deal with draft guards rather than tie them down to Bredeson, but continuity is king.
Halil Mac is fully guaranteed back to chargers on a one-year contract worth $18 million:
I've always been a fan of the Halil Mac game, but he's elegantly matured into the Chargers Edge Defender's hammer. He's definitely aging, so he won't get a bigger deal, but for someone who's tall in the league and plays productively on this defense, a fully guaranteed $18 million deal is really smart.
Harold Landry to Patriots on a 3-year contract worth up to $48 million: b-
Yes, the Patriots need the help of Pass Rush, and Harold Landry certainly offers it. Landry has missed the 2022 campaign in the 2022 ACL, having recorded 31.5 bags over the past three seasons. The move is like a homecoming as he reunited with former coach Mike Vrabel and played college football at Boston University just 30 minutes from his new home in Foxborough.
But this is probably more than you would expect from Landry, and is a sign that when the team needs some help, and when they have the most cap space in the league, the contracts they hand out are on the higher side.
Davante Adams to Rams on a two-year contract worth $46 million: B
The structure of this transaction will be everything. Otherwise, the Rams spend all the available cap space in one shot. There's no doubt that Adams is still one of the better and faster separators in the NFL. The move could mean that Puka Nacua will move into more Coupa P's role, but it's still fair to ask questions about this deal.
The Rams are giving a huge amount of money to the 32-year-old receiver when they have countless problems in other positions. That's the biggest reason to criticize this deal. It's clear that the organization line up for another big playoff push – perhaps even a Super Bowl run. Is overwhelming air crime sufficient? I know the time.
At least this will be a big backback season for a good football team, Adams. Something he had been missing for a while.
Ronnie Stanley returns to the Ravens on a three-year deal worth $60 million:
This has always been the most logical step for Stanley and the Ravens. The Ravens' left tackle, which eventually bouncing off his injury, was in his best form in 2024, with a strong Baltimore attack. The tackle market is very dry and there are promising aspects of the tackle class, but there are many question marks. There's no reason to make a hole, especially if Staley is a very good tackle.
$60 million over three years is a big deal for the Ravens. Stanley is on the same level as Broncos tackle Garrett Boles and the Lions' Taylor Decker. I think Stanley is better than both people. If he puts together another year like 2024, this would look like a bargain.
Zack Baun returns to the Eagles on a three-year contract worth $51 million: A
Just like the deal with Ravens' Ronnie Stanley, it makes much more sense for Baun and the Eagles to reunite him rather than let him walk. Playing off-ball LB with Vic Fangio's defense is difficult, and Baun's versatility allowed the Eagles to move to multiple fronts without sacrificing personnel. With LB Nakobe Dean, it is likely that he will not be ready to the middle of next season, so gaining some long-term experience in linebacker positions will be very big in the future. GM Howie Roseman's ability to recognize his mistakes is why the Eagles won the Super Bowl, and in order to stay on top he must start with Baun and continue his self-scouting.
$17 million a year is not a small deal for off-ball linebackers. There may be some reservations about paying so much to off-ball linebackers who had their best year last year, but they have made it clear how difficult it is to find a veteran who will become the modern NFL and maximize defense, like Byrne.
Osa Odighizuwa returns to the Cowboys on a four-year deal worth $800,000: B+
The Cowboys need to maintain their defensive talent, and they started with Odighizuwa and signed DT to a $20 million annual deal to keep him for the future. Odighizuwa is a great player and I think it fits three techniques: one gap the Cowboys want to run, and the upfield style defensive style. There is no raw bag production, but looking at the Cowboys game shows just how shocking he is with his run and passing.
On the other hand, the $20 million annual mark is a bit steep. Especially when you think about what others in that position make. Bills' DT Ed Oliver is $17 million a year, while Broncos' DT Zach Allen is $15 million a year, both of whom are in the Odighizuwa range. On the other hand, getting more expensive is a mistake for the cowboy, and this makes him right into that sweet spot between guys like Oliver and guys like Leonard Williams who are earning $220 million a year. A fair deal for both sides for good players. I'm a fan of it.
Nick Bolton returns to Chiefs on a three-year contract worth $45 million: B
I might be one of the few Nick Bolton fans. Although limited in athletes, Bolton is an instinctive microphone LB, allowing DC Steve Spagnuolo to unleash what he wants to do in defense. But these exercise restrictions hinder him in ways that most top LBSs don't – at least LBS paid in the way Bolton just did. I'm a player fan and he's still less than Boun on his contract. That's quite a bit for players that are important to the chief's defensive success.
Jamien Sherwood returns to the Jets on a three-year deal worth $45 million: B+
I like Sherwood, I like Will LB more than real microphones, and he plays with a lot of urgency and speed at the second level. In the defense of new head coach Aaron Glenn (and defensive coordinator Steve Wilkes), a fierce linebacker who can wear many hats is important. This $45 million deal makes sense most of the time, as Sherwood is 25 years old and has his best football year before him. It's good to invest in developed players.
Alaric Jackson returns to the Rams on a three-year deal worth $57 million: B
Given his high caliber play last season, I think this is a pretty fair deal for Jackson. His 2.5% blown block rate is very low for left tackle with tons of snaps, but his pass protection could be improved. I'm babbling this because Jackson has many advantages, but $19 million a year is abrupt for those who don't have a back-to-back high-rise season. But I'm always hoping to bet on the benefits.
Ernest Jones returns to the Seahawks on a three-year contract worth $33 million:
I love this deal with Jones and the Seahawks. This is a great value (although limited) for anyone I think is really good, and keeps humming the middle of the defense with continuity. Jones is not the most athletic man, but the Seahawks' defense began to rise with true Mike LB. This allows Seattle to deal with it… whatever is happening in their attacks.
Aaron Jones returns to the Vikings on a two-year contract of two years: $20 million: B
A solid deal between Jones and Minnesota. When he was in the lineup, Jones was a big factor like runners and receivers. But being 30 was trying to reduce his worth, especially in the loaded RB draft class. Getting him for $10 million a year is good for Minnesota and Jones. Minnesota and Jones can keep his spot with a great offense for him, while allowing them to acquire a young man in the draft later.
Mike Gesicki returns to the Bengals on a three-year contract worth $25 million: C
Look, you get what Gesicki can add as a recipient, but for a Bengali team that is more versatile and has the ability to run football, this feels like a bad decision. Gesicki has not added anything as a blocker, and his value as a recipient can match with guys like WR Andrei iosvas, who could be a better blocker than Gesicki. A confusing process.
