By Montanna Chambers
The National Football League (NFL) has players constantly moving teams. Whether it is a blockbuster trade or a player signing with a rival team, players are always in motion. The 2024 free agency took the league by storm, with the Philadelphia Eagles signing former Giant Saquon Barkley.
According to Yahoo! Sports, Tee Higgins is the No. 1 free agent this offseason. Higgins is a young wide receiver who plays alongside star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase on the Cincinnati Bengals. Chase is due for a new contract, which could put Higgins on the market because of salary cap concerns. Higgins finished the 2024 season with 911 yards and 10 touchdowns on 73 receptions, averaging 12.5 yards per catch.
NFL writer Kevin Patra took to the social platform X to report on what Bengals general manager Duke Tobin has said about the possibility of the Bengals re-signing Higgins. “Our preference is to get a long-term deal done,” said Tobin about Higgins.
Another top free agent this offseason is Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin. Godwin had a stellar year but dislocated his ankle in week seven against the Baltimore Ravens, leading to his season-ending injury.
“Hopefully, we can come to an agreement with him because Chris means the world to this organization, to all of us individually but as an organization as a whole,” said Bucs general manager Jason Licht, according to ESPN.
Godwin has spent his entire career with the Bucs, and the management has had many conversations about a possible extension. Godwin was on pace for 121 catches, 1,399 yards, and 12 touchdowns over a 17-game span before his season-ending injury.
Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith is also heading to free agency after a spectacular 2025 season. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith started all 17 games and had an overall grade of 78.7, ranking him 14th out of 135 guards. His pass-blocking grade of 70.6 ranked him 33rd out of 135. Smith was the only one of the Chiefs’ linemen not to allow a sack in the 2025 Super Bowl.
Free agency quarterback Sam Darnold had an unexpected and unbelievable 2024 season. It started when J.J. McCarthy suffered a knee injury during a preseason game against the Raiders. Darnold stepped up and eventually won the starting spot. He threw for 4,319 yards and had a 66.2% completion percentage. Darnold finished with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, which was a step up from his time with the Jets, Panthers, and 49ers.
“We are evaluating the short- and long-term aspects of it,” said Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell when asked about possibly bringing Darnold back to Minnesota.
O’Connell also exclaimed how grateful he was to be in this position to be evaluating both quarterbacks. With Darnold coming off an excellent season and McCarthy finally healthy, the Vikings will seemingly have a big decision to make when it comes to the quarterback position.
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Photo Courtesy of AthlonSports.