NFL execs unfiltered on free agency: Did the Bengals get it right? Thoughts on all AFC teams

Sports

add

The Aaron Rodgers saga remains unresolved, but with most of NFL free agency complete, the time is right to check in with team executives for thoughts on all that has (and has not) unfolded.

We begin with AFC teams today, followed by NFC teams on Thursday.

AFC North teams take center stage, with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers still without clear starting quarterbacks, and the Cincinnati Bengals opening their wallets (but possibly missing an opportunity). Are the Browns about to tank for Arch Manning? Have the Kansas City Chiefs done enough to solidify their left tackle situation? What are the Houston Texans thinking? Why would the Buffalo Bills rework Josh Allen’s contract with four years remaining? The New England Patriots won March, as coach Mike Vrabel put it, but still have lots of work ahead.

We’ll tackle these topics and many more. For each team, we’ve listed the average per-year salary (APY) added and lost via free agency, along with the differential and league-wide rankings in each category. Let’s get started.

Baltimore Ravens

Added: $10.6M (32nd) | Lost: $37.5M (14th) | Differential: -$27M (27th)

The Ravens re-signed 31-year-old left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a three-year, $60 million extension, which seemed notable during an offseason when another 2024 Pro Bowl choice at the position, the 30-year-old Laremy Tunsil, found a new home via trade. Baltimore let a couple of lower-priced free agents leave and could reap 2026 fifth-round compensatory choices for guard Patrick Mekari (signed by the Jaguars) and cornerback Brandon Stephens (Jets).

“They went through a lot of change last offseason,” an exec said. “If they could minimize change this offseason, that is probably a plus. And it looks like they did that.”

Bringing back fullback Patrick Ricard was another example. The outsiders brought in this offseason — backup quarterback Cooper Rush and receiver DeAndre Hopkins among them — are not difference-makers.

“I like the fact that they kept their guy (Stanley),” another exec said. “He’s had some injuries, but he still is a good player. D-Hop, that doesn’t do anything for me. He’s just a name at this point.”

Mark Andrews and Justin Tucker remain on the roster. One exec thought Andrews or fellow tight end Isaiah Likely could be available by trade.

“They were in on a lot of interior O-linemen in free agency, so that is going to be a need for them, because they lost Mekari,” this exec said. “Defensively, they could have some decisions looming with Travis Jones and (Odafe) Oweh coming up for extensions. They have a little bit of a management situation with those guys.”

Buffalo Bills

Added: $41M (13th) | Lost: $8.6M (31st) | Differential: $32.5M (6th)

Extending Josh Allen’s contract with four years remaining on his old one created little immediate salary-cap flexibility, so why the rush? Execs saw this deal as instructive for Buffalo’s situation. In short, keeping Allen happy is priority No. 1 for a franchise owing nearly all its relevance to him. The team is building a new stadium in a market that is not a free-agent destination.

“I view it like the NBA and Giannis (Antetokounmpo) or one of those other stars in a market where you may not be able to keep stars,” one exec said. “You want to do the max deal as early as possible, because in this case, you don’t have a franchise without Josh Allen.”

In this context, if the Bills set a precedent for revisiting Allen’s deal with multiple years remaining, so be it.

Joey Bosa’s addition on a one-year, $12.6 million deal reflects the former star’s diminished production: 14 sacks in 28 games over the past three seasons. He turns 30 in July. Buffalo also extended defensive end Greg Rousseau, cornerback Christian Benford, receiver Khalil Shakir and linebacker Terrel Bernard (all four were entering contract years), while adding receiver Josh Palmer, defensive end Larry Ogunjobi and linebacker Michael Hoecht.

“Bosa is better than Von Miller; hopefully he will be available more,” another exec said. “Josh Palmer will be a starting receiver for them, just a good all-around player and a guy they needed. Hoecht is interesting because the Rams never really knew what to do with him. Jack-of-all-trades, master of none. It’ll be interesting to see where Buffalo plays him.”

Cincinnati Bengals

Added: $13.5M (31st) | Lost: $20.6M (25th) | Differential: -$7.1M (19th)

The Bengals took a victory lap for re-signing receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins after critics questioned whether the organization would make the necessary financial commitment.

One exec joked that the credit should go to de facto GM Joe Burrow.

“It just proves that our league is becoming more like the NBA, with top players having more control,” one said.

Waiting until the last minute before re-signing Chase and Higgins surely cost the Bengals more than if they had done deals last offseason. How much more? That depends upon what Chase or Higgins would have accepted before.

“They definitely needed to retain Chase, and then Higgins should have been a tag-and-trade candidate because you need the draft capital and you have to rebuild your defense,” another exec said. “You could have made Trey Hendrickson happy (with a new deal) and have a draft pick if you moved on from Higgins.”

Hendrickson’s situation remains unresolved, but the team could still extend him. Trading Higgins might have upset the de facto GM.

“The thought of keeping their quarterback happy is good,” another exec said, “but how can you build around him to get him where he needs to go? I’m going to go with fronts and defense over skill, especially when you already have one of the highest-paid receivers. To sign another one (Higgins) is interesting to me.”

The Bengals also invested in their No. 3 pass catcher, tight end Mike Gesicki.

As for the offensive line, Cincy added Lucas Patrick from the Saints for $2.1 million per year.

“They got a nice bargain signing with Lucas Patrick,” an exec said, “but he just played his best football with Klint Kubiak’s system in New Orleans, which is nothing like the pure dropback game in Cincy, where they try to throw the ball all over the yard.”

Cleveland Browns

Added: $22.5M (27th) | Lost: $34.6M (17th) | Differential: -$12.1M (22nd)

The Browns’ new deal for Myles Garrett reset the market for pass rushers while upping the price Cincinnati paid for Chase after the Bengals promised to make their receiver the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback.

Giant as that move was, execs remain most interested in what Cleveland has planned at quarterback.

“It’s such a weak quarterback draft and free-agency class at the position,” one exec said. “Is there a temptation to suck for Arch Manning?”

Not all are convinced the Browns will select a quarterback at No. 2 in the draft.

“Are they drafting or tanking?” another exec asked. “If you are tanking, then you would be down to one year left on Deshaun (Watson). I’m sure they are like, ‘Hey, Joe Flacco got us to the playoffs and we can do whatever.’”

What about Kirk Cousins as a post-draft trade acquisition?

“(Kevin) Stefanski knows him, but I cannot see them going with another guy who is older and injured,” another exec said. “Not that Deshaun is old, but he never got going.”

Another exec thought Cousins and the newly acquired Kenny Pickett would be an upgrade for Cleveland.

“If I’m Cleveland, and I don’t love Shedeur (Sanders) at pick No. 2, I have a two-time Coach of the Year, a GM that got a second contract, so could that regime possibly survive a worst-team-in-the-league season to get Arch Manning next year?” the first exec asked.

The NFL previously cleared the Browns of tanking allegations raised by former coach Hue Jackson.

“You are not guaranteed Arch Manning is going to come out, or that he will agree to go to Cleveland, so my guess is they draft a quarterback this year,” one of the execs said. “If you were tanking, I don’t know why you would give Myles Garrett all that money.”

There’s no advantage to Cleveland broadcasting its plans now.

“This offseason, what veteran quarterback is there in free agency where you are like, ‘Oh, I feel much better about having this guy on my roster compared to the unknown?’” another exec said. “If your options are what Cleveland is doing or what the Giants did, that doesn’t make me excited.”

Denver Broncos

Added: $38M (15th) | Lost: $23.5M (23rd) | Differential: $14.5M (10th)

Denver drew high marks for adding safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw from San Francisco, plus tight end Evan Engram from Jacksonville.

“Denver is pushing,” one exec said.

Some see coach Sean Payton, who averaged 10.1 victories per season with New Orleans from 2006 to ’21, implementing his Saints vision in Denver.

Greenlaw fills the Jonathan Vilma role as quarterback of the defense. Hufanga becomes his Malcolm Jenkins. Engram becomes a version of Jimmy Graham. Incumbent receiver Courtland Sutton resembles Marcus Colston in some ways. Comparing quarterback Bo Nix to Drew Brees is unfair, but both are extensions of Payton.

“Sean is getting some of the guys that fit what he has had in the past,” another exec said. “Does he go with a running back in the draft?”

Greenlaw and Hufanga combined to play in only nine games last season, so durability is a concern despite their relatively young ages (Greenlaw turns 28 in May, while Hufanga turned 26 in February).

“They are really good players when healthy,” another exec said. “I’ll bet you Evan Engram catches at least 75 balls next year. He will have a big year because he can run and catch. Sean will make him the focal point of their offense on third downs.”

Houston Texans

Added: $46M (12th) | Lost: $36.2M (15th) | Differential: $9.7M (12th)

Trading Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to Washington was a fascinating move for a team that needed to upgrade its offensive line. Some saw it as a reflection of Bill Belichick-style team building under general manager Nick Caserio and new offensive coordinator Nick Caley. Both worked with Belichick in New England.

“By changing the offensive coordinator out, it almost appears like they are changing the styles of players that they deal with, and wanting a little bit more tough, a little bit more finish, and maybe a little less athlete,” an exec said.

Tunsil fetched 2025 third- and seventh-round picks plus 2026 second- and fourth-round picks from Washington.

“On the outside, you are like, ‘Whoa, what is going on?’” the exec added. “On the inside, they may have evaluated and said this guy fits the different way we want to look and feel, that Trent Brown can do what Tunsil did.”

The Texans then added Brown and veteran left tackle Cam Robinson as potential replacements.

“Tunsil is interesting,” another exec said. “He plays on Sundays. He is going to want a brand-new deal. And you really can’t touch him during the week, as he will not practice as much.”

Not everyone loved the move.

“I’d go for toughness and grit at the guard positions and keep my franchise left tackle,” one exec said.

Houston doubled down on defense with big extensions for Danielle Hunter ($35.6 million APY) and Derek Stingley Jr. ($30 million APY), while acquiring safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson from Philadelphia.

“I like the Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (trade),” another exec said. “They are built to stop the pass. Let those rushers eat up front and have playmakers on the back end. I respect that they have a very clearly defined team-building philosophy, especially on defense with their defensive head coach.”

Indianapolis Colts

Added: $50.9M (10th) | Lost: $49.5M (9th) | Differential: $1.5M (14th)

The Colts broke from their conservative character by signing cornerback Charvarius Ward ($18 million APY) and safety Cam Bynum ($15 million APY) early in free agency. They also might have a new starting quarterback after signing Daniel Jones to a one-year, $14 million deal as competition for Anthony Richardson.

There is urgency in Indy.

“Ward is a good player, and Bynum will help them as well, but really it’s about the offense,” one exec said. “I think Daniel Jones is going to be their guy.”

As another exec put it, the Colts raised their floor at quarterback without elevating the ceiling.

“Jones has a chance to be the next Sam Darnold,” an exec said, “but I wonder if that would be good for everyone there. Does the GM (Chris Ballard) need Richardson to win the job? The watch is on for Daniel.”

The secondary, though improved, might still need help.

“I think corner is still a big-time need for them,” another exec said. “Jaylon Jones played OK last year, you have JuJu (Brents), who missed all last year, and Kenny Moore is 30 years old. At this point, upgrading the pass rush might help their secondary as much as anything would.”

Jacksonville Jaguars

Added: $58.3M (6th) | Lost: $41.5M (12th) | Differential: $16.8M (9th)

The Jaguars signed four outside free agents to three-year deals worth $6.5 million to $12.5 million annually, plus four others to two-year deals worth less. The deals for guard Patrick Mekari ($12.5 million APY) and Robert Hainsey ($7 million APY) reflect an effort to stabilize the offensive line.

“What Jacksonville did was get a couple tough, smart guys on the line whose talent is limited, but they are the types of guys they need,” an exec said.

Another exec noted that the Buccaneers considered benching Hainsey at one point (before Graham Barton took his starting spot in 2024), suggesting Jacksonville was betting too much on new coach Liam Coen’s familiarity with him from Tampa Bay.

“They signed OK players to good-sized deals, and I do not believe in free agency like that,” this exec said. “If you are going to do that, go the Chargers’ route. Sit and wait and go for one-year contracts.”

Others did not protest.

“You are always going to overpay in free agency, but they did not commit gross overpays,” another exec said. “You saw them go right to the second tier of the offensive line market and say, ‘We can get this guy for $10-12 million a year instead of this other guy for $16 million.”

A potential gross overpay: the Jaguars’ $10 million deal for receiver Dyami Brown.

“Everybody liked Dyami at the $6-7 million number, but once Tutu Atwell got ($10 million), the speed guys got overpaid,” another exec said. “I don’t know if Parker (Washington) is better than Christian Kirk, and I know Brenton Strange is not better than Evan Engram in the passing game. So you’re talking about Gabe Davis, Dyami Brown, Parker Washington and Brian Thomas, who is going to get a lot of attention this year.”

Kansas City Chiefs

Added: $32.7M (20th) | Lost: $40.8M (13th) | Differential: -$8M (20th)

The Chiefs needed a left tackle and targeted the Ravens’ Ronnie Stanley before signing Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million deal. Moore had 12 starts in four seasons with San Francisco.

“Jaylon Moore has had durability issues, he has never been a front-line player and he’s been protected in a system that is not dropback-heavy, so I do not love that move,” one exec said.

Finding left tackles is not easy. Washington acquired Tunsil. Tennessee paid $20.5 million per year for Dan Moore Jr. Houston got Cam Robinson ($12 million) and Trent Brown ($2.35 million).

“I’m sure some will say they did a bad job there,” another exec said of the Chiefs, “but really, they took a $15 million (per year) shot at a guy who has upside, and if it doesn’t work out, at worst, he is going to be an overpaid swing tackle for them next year. That is not a terrible outcome. Whereas Tennessee gave Daniel Moore $50 million over two years, which was crazy to me.”

The Chiefs surprised some by trading mainstay guard Joe Thuney and using the franchise tag on guard Trey Smith. Their only big-ticket re-signing was linebacker Nick Bolton. The Chiefs maintained continuity at receiver by re-signing Marquise Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. They let safety Justin Reid leave, a move one exec questioned, suggesting Reid was an underrated enforcer who would be missed.

“They realize they are a defensive football team with a Hall of Fame quarterback (Patrick Mahomes),” this exec said, “and they are saying, ‘Pat, it is on you to elevate your skill players. We miscalculated on your protection, and it cost us a three-peat. Now, we are going to recalibrate up front.’”

Las Vegas Raiders

Added: $26.4M (23rd) | Lost: $56.9M (6th) | Differential: -$30.5M (28th)

The jump from former starting quarterback Gardner Minshew to the newly acquired Geno Smith could deliver about three additional wins for the Raiders based on the projected change in Total QBR.

“Getting Geno was as good as they could have done in their situation,” an exec said. “They aren’t getting a quarterback they feel confident in where they are picking in the draft (No. 6). They get a guy who has won.”

The floor has been raised, but what is the ceiling?

“I don’t know if the rest of the team is going to be reflective of Geno’s ceiling this year, but I think they will win 8-9 games even if they are good around him, because of his inconsistency,” an exec said. “That goes up if they can build a top-five defense.”

Smith’s history with new Raiders coach Pete Carroll makes the assimilation easier. But after initial reports suggested Smith would likely get a new deal with the Raiders, that story went cold until Carroll and GM John Spytek suggested this week a deal could be forthcoming.

“They can franchise him twice, so why would they lock themselves into him unnecessarily?” another exec said. “Tom Brady is not going to rip it up and give him $45 million a year. They should go year to year.”

The Raiders got Maxx Crosby’s extension done for $35.5 million per year before Cleveland extended Myles Garrett at $40 million. They saved in the back seven by signing safety Jeremy Chinn and linebacker Elandon Roberts for about 40 percent of the combined APY that former starters Trevon Moehrig and Robert Spillane commanded in free agency.

Los Angeles Chargers

Added: $37.6M (16th) | Lost: $51.4M (8th) | Differential: -$13.8M (23rd)

The Chargers kept Khalil Mack, parted with Joey Bosa and spent modestly on outside free agents, led by guard Mekhi Becton ($10 million APY) and two former Steelers: cornerback Donte Jackson ($6.5 million APY) and running back Najee Harris ($5.25 million APY).

“They want to play a physical, hard-nosed brand of football, and they went out and got a guy who has played tackle and guard, who is big and massive, and is playing his best football,” one exec said of Becton. “I think Najee Harris did some really good things with the Steelers, and I was surprised to see him leave.”

The Chargers also signed eight veteran outsiders to one-year deals, including bringing back receiver Mike Williams.

“They signed a bunch of one-year deals with older players, putting a ton of pressure on their drafts,” another exec said. “They are doing it the Ravens’ way. But when you have money to spend, like they did, go get better players.”

That generally was not the Chargers’ approach in the past, and it likely will not be their approach under second-year GM Joe Hortiz, a longtime former Ravens exec.

“People wanted them to go after DK Metcalf or Davante Adams,” another exec said. “They stood pat, signed an offensive lineman. The Becton signing does carry risk. Someone already hit lightning in a bottle with him. Why double down and think you can do the exact same thing?”

Miami Dolphins

Added: $33.5M (17th) | Lost: $34.6M (18th) | Differential: -$1.1M (15th)

Big spenders in the past, the Dolphins handed out only two contracts worth more than $5 million per year, one to former Steelers guard James Daniels ($8 million APY), another to backup quarterback Zach Wilson ($6 million APY).

“It feels like a team that invested in some older players the last couple years and it did not work out for them,” one exec said. “I could see this being the start of a little reset for them.”

Daniels is coming off a torn Achilles tendon suffered in September.

“I like James Daniels — good player — and the Pharaoh Brown signing will be good for them, as he’s become a blocking tight end,” another exec said. “Zach Wilson is a good reclamation project. He is similar to Tua (Tagovailoa) in that the ball comes out quick, he is accurate short — all the things he has not been asked to do yet.”

With left tackle Terron Armstead expected to retire, the focus this season will again be on whether Miami has done enough to bolster its offensive line.

“They just don’t have enough there to warrant that they are going to have a better commitment to the run game and better protection for Tua,” another exec said. “Contrast them with Chicago, which made two trades for starting linemen before free agency. That has not been the Dolphins’ way up front.”

New England Patriots

Added: $121.6M (1st) | Lost: $16.3M (28th) | Differential: $105.3M (1st)

The Patriots turned loose a cash fire hose in free agency, especially on defense.

“With Mike Vrabel as the head coach, it tells you he understands that toughness and strength on defense helps you more than stocking up with offensive weapons,” one exec said. “He feels he’ll be in position to help the O-line and skill positions in the draft.”

Paying $26 million per year to former Eagles defensive lineman Milton Williams, a player with 11.5 sacks and 19 starts in four seasons, served notice New England was willing to pay whatever it took to upgrade a weak roster.

“They have the rookie quarterback contract, they have a huge talent void, they are trying to build a culture, they don’t want to just suck the first year with Vrabel,” another exec said.

The Patriots spent on offense as well, signing Stefon Diggs after pursuing Chris Godwin, Metcalf and others. They had interest in Stanley of the Ravens, but signed lower-tier veterans Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury to help protect second-year QB Drake Maye.

Diggs signed a deal with $22.6 million in total guarantees, less than Cooper Kupp ($26.5 million) and Adams ($25 million).

“That is not an accident,” another exec said. “The number for Diggs is not problematic. That is the difference in having a coach like Mike Vrabel, who is not going to be scared off by a player like Diggs. You watch, they will make a mark this year and be a tough out. They will beat a Buffalo or someone like that.”

A signing to watch: receiver Mack Hollins.

“I love Hollins because he can play a lot of positions, factor in on special teams and he doesn’t need a lot of reps,” an exec said. “He is really a savvy, smart player, a low-cost, high-upside signing.”

New York Jets

Added: $54.7M (8th) | Lost: $90.8M (3rd) | Differential: -$36.2M (29th)

Justin Fields will earn more from the Jets ($30 million fully guaranteed on a two-year, $40 million deal) than he earned during his first four seasons in the league ($18.9 million). He’ll do this after losing the two starting jobs he has held, first with Chicago and then with Pittsburgh.

Two potential contributing factors: Fields topped 100 yards rushing three times in five games against Detroit when new Jets coach Aaron Glenn was the Lions’ defensive coordinator; and there weren’t attractive alternatives.

“If you are a defensive coordinator, there are things about Fields that you hate playing against, while an offensive coordinator would not want him as his quarterback,” one exec said. “But again, what were your realistic options this year?”

The Jets were stuck after moving on from Rodgers and heading into the draft with the No. 7 pick. They weren’t going to pursue Darnold, their former first-round pick.

“They are betting that with Justin, they have someone who is going to be big, strong, can play in the run game as they get the quarterback they want for the future,” another exec said. “The question is, do they draft one in the top 10? Do they draft Jaxson Dart or one of these other guys? I think they went in with a plan to get Justin and one other guy.”

This offseason has been as much about whom the Jets have subtracted as about whom they might add. Even with Rodgers still unsigned, the Jets have had four players from their 2024 roster sign deals for at least $14 million elsewhere: Davante Adams, D.J. Reed, Javon Kinlaw and Haason Reddick. San Francisco and Philadelphia are next with two apiece.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Added: $27.6M (21st) | Lost: $87.7M (4th) | Differential: -$60.2M (30th)

Adding Metcalf and possibly Rodgers to an offense with receiver George Pickens would make the Steelers must-see TV.

“Rodgers with Pickens and DK, if it’s not ‘Hard Knocks,’ it had better be,” an exec said. “I can’t think of a worse combination for all this to play out.”

Throw in a sometimes testy offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, with a strong head coach, Mike Tomlin, and the theater might be epic.

“In what world do you look at DK and go, ‘Let’s give that guy ($30 million) a year and trade a 2 for him?’” the exec asked. “That struck me as, you are in on Brandon Aiyuk, you’ve been in on all these guys, you have not gotten them, and you finally found one. Maybe Tomlin brings out the best in him. I could see elements of why they like it. Pairing him with Rodgers seems odd.”

Metcalf ranks 12th in receiving yards over the past three seasons and was 25th with 992 yards in 2024.

“Any time Pittsburgh brings in a receiver, I’m tending to say, ‘OK, they have gotten it right more times than not, so they probably know something I do not know,’” another exec said. “But I question the mix. Are we seeing the first signs of Pittsburgh panic?”

Talk that Rodgers might retire felt like a money play, another exec said.

As for the Steelers’ overall plan at the most important position, could they select one in the draft at No. 21, three years after selecting another, Kenny Pickett, at No. 20?

“Before Ben Roethlisberger, they always kind of just found a quarterback,” an exec said. “They grouped together some talented guys, they had their own play style, their own culture and it just kind of worked most of the time. Are they back to that? Is that what we are seeing now?”

Tennessee Titans

Added: $60M (5th) | Lost: $28.7M (21st) | Differential: $31.2M (7th)

The Titans joined the Chiefs as teams making speculative bets on left tackles in free agency, a contrast to Washington acquiring Tunsil from Houston.

“Would you rather play with Dan Moore or against him?” one exec said. “I’m not sure. Same with the guy K.C. got (Jaylon Moore). You can pay these guys starter money, but it doesn’t mean they are quality starters. … You never want to address a need and still have a need.”

Tennessee’s offensive line should be better regardless with Moore at left tackle, fellow newcomer Kevin Zeitler at right guard and 2024 first-round pick J.C. Latham moving to right tackle. 2023 first-rounder Peter Skoronski is at left guard, with 2024 free-agent addition Lloyd Cushenberry at center

“Which, left to right, is not terrible,” another exec said. “You’d love to get a Tunsil instead, but Tennessee is not in a position where they can be giving up the draft capital.”

All signs point to the Titans using the first pick on quarterback Cam Ward.

“No way they are not picking Ward,” an exec said. “They are trying to drum up an extraordinary deal, but no one is going to give that. They will take Cam Ward unless someone gives them something stupid.”

(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; Photos: Shelley Lipton, Dylan Buell, Luke Hales, Todd Rosenberg / Getty Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

Share on

email

Previous

trending_flat

Scientists make new revelations about the biblical burial place of Jesus Christ

David Schiavone - SAM English

Next

trending_flat

Red Wings thoughts: Detroit’s lack of 5-on-5 scoring a season-long issue

Sports