NFL free agency 2025 will not rank among the most memorable in league history. There were few stunning address changes or jaw-dropping, bank-breaking contracts handed out.
Yes, backup quarterbacks found themselves in high demand. And some players managed to secure solid deals. But the more interesting — and seemingly impactful — moves of last week involved trades or contract extensions rather than unrestricted free-agent paydays.
Still, some teams helped themselves while others made head-scratching decisions. And while the full picture of the biggest winners and losers of free agency won’t be complete until the quarterback carousel stops spinning, here’s how things look after the first week.
Winners
Caleb Williams
Last year, the Chicago Bears gave their rookie quarterback an average offensive line, and when the majority of those linemen got hurt, Williams paid the price. By season’s end, he had sustained a league-high 68 sacks. The Bears were flirting with disaster. So they went out and overhauled their line through a series of trades and free-agent signings. Williams’ protection should be significantly better this season, which should give him a better chance of reaching his potential.
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Minnesota Vikings
Their quarterback plan remains murky. But whoever lines up under center (Aaron Rodgers? J.J. McCarthy?) will benefit from a markedly improved offensive line than Sam Darnold had last season thanks to the signings of guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly. Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Brian Flores is smiling because of the additions of cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
Sam Darnold
Coming off a season in which he resurrected his career and put up MVP-caliber numbers with the Vikings, Darnold received a three-year, $100.5 million contract from the Seahawks. Initially, this looked like a bit of a shaky landing spot given that Seattle had traded top wide receiver DK Metcalf to the Steelers and released No. 2 wideout Tyler Lockett. But then the Seahawks signed Cooper Kupp, giving Darnold one of the most productive wide receivers in the game. They also signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling to join holdover Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the wide receiver room. Additionally, Darnold reunites with new Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who coached under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco. Darnold spent the 2023 season as a 49ers backup quarterback, so despite changing teams, he will not have to learn a new system.
Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo
From a shorthanded Bengals defense to a bolstered Colts defense, Anarumo is positioned to dramatically improve a unit that ranked 26th against the pass in 2024. Cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Cam Bynum will bring versatility and top-flight playmaking abilities after signing with Indianapolis last week.
Mike Vrabel and the Patriots
The Patriots operated with a talent-deficient roster in 2024. New coach Vrabel made it clear the team’s cap space had to be put to good use, and that his version of the Patriot Way will begin with defense. The front office went out and got defensive lineman Milton Williams, pass-rushers Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson, cornerback Carlton Davis and linebacker Robert Spillane to highlight a dramatic defensive makeover.
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Davante Adams
After a frustrating season and a half with the Raiders, and a half-season with the Jets, Adams received his freedom last week and joined a first-class organization in the L.A. Rams. Mathew Stafford is an upgrade over any quarterback Adams caught passes from the past two years, and Sean McVay is the best offensive mind Adams has played for since leaving Green Bay. With Puka Nacua on the other side, Adams will receive plenty of favorable matchups, and with L.A., he has a chance to finally win a ring.
Losers
San Francisco 49ers
Fresh off a disappointing and injury-plagued 2024 season, the 49ers endured a painful week. Free agency represented a mass exodus for San Francisco, which saw key players like Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, Javon Kinlaw, Charvarius Ward, Aaron Banks, Jaylon Moore and Elijah Mitchell all sign elsewhere. The 49ers also traded wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Commanders and running back Jordan Mason to the Vikings. Mason had provided a bright spot in the backfield when Christian McCaffrey missed time with injury. The 49ers did bring back longtime fullback Kyle Juszczyk a week after releasing him. But it feels as if general manager John Lynch is resigned to the fact that it’s time to retool this roster rather than try to squeeze more out of aging and injury-riddled players who have served the franchise well for years.
Anthony Richardson
Daniel Jones is no world-beater. Let’s make that clear. However, the Colts signing the 2019 Giants first-round pick and declaring there will be competition at quarterback makes it clear that Richardson is on a very short leash entering Year 3.
C.J. Stroud
The Texans badly need to upgrade their offensive line. But instead of tackling that problem in free agency, they traded five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders, signed one guard (Laken Tomlinson) and traded for another (Ed Ingram). Yes, trading Tunsil freed up money to meet other needs. But the Texans are gambling big-time with Stroud’s health. Houston does have seven draft picks (a first, a second, two thirds, a fifth and two sevenths) it could use to fill holes along the line, but barring a trade up to get an elite left tackle, it’s debatable whether a rookie can fill Tunsil’s shoes.
(Top photos of John Lynch and Sam Darnold: Justin Casterline and Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
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