Blog2024 NFL Free Agency Guide

2024 NFL Free Agency Guide

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

2024-NFL-Free-Agency-Guide

The clock is ticking down to the 2024 NFL free agency showdown, which is starting at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13th. The doors swing wide open for teams to make the best deals for the upcoming season. 

But the action starts up even earlier! From March 11 to 13, clubs can reach out and start hammering out deals with the certified agents of players who will soon become unrestricted free agents. 

It’s a two-day activity where anything can happen, where dreams are made, and the next big game-changers are waiting to be snatched up. 


The Categories of Free Agency

It’s that time of year when players hit the market as either “restricted free agents” or “unrestricted free agents.”

Some might even get tagged as franchise or transition players by their former clubs. So, when’s the big signing starting? Here’s the breakdown:

  • Restricted Free Agents: March 13 to April 19.
  • Unrestricted Free Agents with Tenders: March 13 to July 22 (or until the first NFL training camp).
  • Franchise Players: March 13 until November 12 (after Week 10).
  • Transition Players: March 13 to July 22.

But here’s the kicker: if deals aren’t inked by November 12, these players are sidelined for the season. 


The Difference Between Restricted and Unrestricted Free Agent

Restricted Free Agents (RFAs):

  • RFAs are players whose contracts have ended, but their current team can keep them by matching any offers by other teams.

Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs):

  • UFAs are players whose contracts are up, and they can sign with any team they want.

According to the 2024 Free Agency guide, if a player has played for three accrued seasons and gets a good offer, they become a “restricted free agent” when their contract ends on March 13.

But if a player has played for four or more accrued seasons, they’re an “unrestricted free agent” and can join any team without the old team getting any special compensation.


What is an Accrued Season? 

A season in which a player hits the field for six or more regular season games, whether they’re on the active roster, inactive list, reserve/injured, or reserve/physically unable to perform lists.


2024 Free Agency Overview For Each Team

As we gear up for the new league year, dive into each franchise’s top choices for free agents


1. Green Bay Packers 

green-bay-packers (1)

Source: Bleacher Report

Latest signings: 

  • RB Josh Jacobs
  • S Xavier McKinney 

Latest re-signings: 

  • CB/returner Keisean Nixon
  • CB Corey Ballentine
  • TE Tyler Davis

Latest departures: 

  • RB Aaron Jones (released, agreed to terms with Vikings), 
  • LT David Bakhtiari (released)
  • G Jon Runyan Jr.
  • S Darnell Savage
  • S Jonathan Owens


2. Arizona Cardinals 

arizona-cardinalsSource: ESPN

Latest signings:

  •  DL Justin Jones
  • LB Mack Wilson
  • CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
  • OT Jonah Williams 
  • QB Desmond Ridder

Latest re-signings: 

  • G Trystan Colon
  • OL Keith IIshmael

Latest departures: 

  • LT DJ Humphries
  • WR Rondale Moore

3. New York Giants 

new-york-giants

Source: Yahoo Sports

Latest signings: 

  • DE Brian Burns (acquired via trade from Carolina Panthers)
  • RB Devin Singletary
  • G Jon Runyan Jr.
  • OL Jermaine Eluemunor
  • QB Drew Lock
  • WR Isaiah McKenzie 

Latest re-signings: N/A

Latest departures: 

  • QB Tyrod Taylor
  • RB Saquon Barkley
  • S Xavier McKinney
  • DL A’Shawn Robinson


4. Dallas Cowboys 

dallas-cowboys

Source: Sports Illustrated

Latest signings : 

  • LB Eric Kendricks 

Latest re-signings: 

  • LS Trent Sieg
  • NT Neville Gallimore 

Latest departures:

  • RB Tony Pollard
  • C Tyler Biadasz
  • DE Dorance Armstrong


5. Detroit Lions 

detroit-lions

Source: ESPN

Latest signings:

  • CB Carlton Davis (acquired via trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
  • DE Marcus Davenport 

Latest re-signings: 

  • OL Graham Glasgow
  • LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
  • CB Emmanuel Moseley
  • K Michael Badgley 

Latest departures:

  • G Jonah Jackson
  • QB Teddy Bridgewater (retirement)
  • C.J. Gardner-Johnson


6. Minnesota Vikings

minnesota-vikings

Source: Bleacher Report

Latest signings: 

  • RB Aaron Jones
  • QB Sam Darnold
  • DE Jonathan Greenard
  • LB Blake Cashman
  • LB Andrew Van Ginkel
  • RB Aaron Jones
  • K John Parker Romo

Latest re-signings: 

  • TE Johnny Mundt
  • OT David Quessenberry
  • WR Brandon Powell 

Latest departures: 

  • QB Kirk Cousins
  • DE Marcus Davenport
  • DE Danielle Hunter
  • LB Jordan Hicks


7. Cleveland Browns

cleveland-browns

Source: ESPN

Latest Signings: 

  • WR Jerry Jeudy (acquired via trade with Denver Broncos)
  • QB Jameis Winston

Latest re-signings: 

  • DE Za’Darius Smith
  • G Michael Dunn

Latest departures: 

  • LB Sione Takitaki
  • LB Anthony Walker 
  • CB Mike Ford


8. San Francisco 49ers

san-francisco-49ers

Source: Wikipedia

Latest signings: 

  • DE Leonard Floyd
  • DE Yetur Gross-Matos
  • DT Jordan Elliott 

Latest re-signings: 

  • OT Colton McKivitz
  • QB Brandon Allen
  • S George Odum

Latest departures: 

  • QB Sam Darnold
  • CB Isaiah Oliver
  • DE Clelin Ferrell


9. Indianapolis Colts

indianapolis-colts

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: QB Joe Flacco 

Latest re-signings: 

  • WR Michael Pittman Jr.
  • DE Tyquan Lewis
  • LB Zaire Franklin
  • DT Grover Stewart
  • CB Kenny Moore II
  • P Rigoberto Sanchez

Latest departures: 

  • QB Gardner Minshew
  • RB Zack Moss
  • WR Isaiah McKenzie


10. Baltimore Ravens

baltimore-ravens

Source: Sports Illustrated

Latest Signings:

  •  RB Derrick Henry

Latest re-signings: 

  • DL Justin Madubuike Fike
  • WR Nelson Agholor 

Latest departures: 

  • RB Gus Edwards
  • G John Simpson
  • S Geno Stone
  • LB Patrick Queen
  • LS Tyler Ott


11. Kansas City Chiefs

kansas-city-chiefs

Source: Yahoo Sports

Latest signings: 

  • P Matt Araiza
  • TE Irv Smith

Latest re-signings: 

  • DT Chris Jones
  • CB LaJarius Sneed
  • LB Drue Tranquill 

Latest departures: 

  • OL Nick Allegretti
  • LB Willie Gay Jr.


12. Atlanta Falcons

atlanta-falcons

Source: ESPN

Latest Signings: 

  • QB Kirk Cousins
  • WR Darnell Mooney 
  • WR Rondale Moore

Latest re-signings: 

  • LS Liam McCullough (player announcement) 

Latest departures: 

  • TE Jonnu Smith
  • CB Jeff Okudah
  • QB Desmond Ridder

13. Carolina Panthers 

carolina-panthers

Source: ESPN

Latest signings:

  • G Robert Hunt
  • G Damien Lewis
  • WR Diontae Johnson (traded from Steelers)
  • DT A’Shawn Robinson
  • LB Josey Jewell
  • WR Diontae Johnson (traded from Steelers)
  • CB Dane Jackson 

Latest re-signings: 

  • CB Troy Hill
  • LS J.J. Jansen 

Latest departures: 

  • DE Brian Burns 
  • LB Frankie Luvu 
  • CB Donte Jackson (traded to Steelers)


14. Chicago Bears 

chicago-bears

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: 

  • RB D’Andre Swift
  • OL Ryan Bates
  • S Kevin Byard
  • S Jonathan Owens
  • TE Gerald Everett

Latest re-signings: 

  • CB Jaylon Johnson
  • LS Patrick Scales

Latest departures: 

  • DL Justin Jones
  • WR Darnell Mooney


15. Los Angeles Rams 

los-angeles-rams

Source: CBS Sports

Latest signings: 

  • TE Colby Parkinson
  • G Jonah Jackson
  • CB Darious Williams  

Latest re-signings: 

  • WR DeMarcus Robinson
  • G Kevin Dotson 

Latest departures: N/A


16. New Orleans Saints 

new-orleans-saints

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: 

  • LB Willie Gay Jr. 

Latest re-signings: 

  • LB Demario Davis
  • S Tyrann Mathieu 

Latest departures: 

  • CB Lonnie Johnson
  • QB Jameis Winston
  • DT Malcolm Roach


17. Philadelphia Eagles

philadelphia-eagles

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: 

  • RB Saquon Barkley
  • DE Bryce Huff
  • S C.J. Gardner-Johnson

Latest re-signings: 

  • G Landon Dickerson
  • P Braden Mann
  • LS Rick Lovato
  • Jake Elliott 

Latest departures: 

  • RB D’Andre Swift
  • C Jason Kelce (retired)
  • DT Fletcher Cox (retired)
  • S Kevin Byard
  • QB Marcus Mariota
  • LB Nicholas Morrow


18. Seattle Seahawks 

seattle-seahawks

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: 

  • DB Rayshawn Jenkins 

Latest re-signings: 

  • TE Noah Fant
  • DE Leonard Williams 

Latest departures: 

  • TE Will Dissly
  • TE Colby Parkinson
  • G Damien Lewis
  • LB Jordyn Brooks
  • QB Drew Lock
  • RB DeeJay Dallas


19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

tampa-bay-buccaneers

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: N/A

Latest re-signings:

  • QB Baker Mayfield
  • WR Mike Evans
  • S Antoine Winfield Jr.
  • K Chase McLaughlin
  • LB Lavonte David
  • DL Greg Gaines

Latest departures: 

  • C Ryan Jensen (retired)
  • CB Carlton Davis (traded to Detroit Lions)
  • Shaq Barrett


20. Washington Commanders 

washington-commanders

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: 

  • RB Austin Ekeler
  • C Tyler Biadasz
  • DE Dorance Armstrong
  • TE Zach Ertz
  • OL Nick Allegretti
  • LB Frankie Luvu
  • K Brandon McManus
  • QB Marcus Mariota
  • DE Clelin Ferrell
  • S Jeremy Chinn
  • K Brandon McManus
  • LS Tyler Ott
  • LB Bobby Wagner 

Latest re-signings: N/A

Latest departures: 

  • QB Jacoby Brissett
  • RB Antonio Gibson


21. Buffalo Bills 

buffalo-bills

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: 

  • QB Mitchell Trubisky
  • LB Nicholas Morrow
  • WR Curtis Samuel

Latest re-signings: 

  • LT Dion Dawkins
  • G David Edwards
  • S Taylor Rapp
  • DE A.J. Epenesa
  • DT DaQuan Jones 

Latest departures: 

  • WR Gabe Davis
  • DE Leonard Floyd
  • S Jordan Poyer
  • DB Siran Neal
  • WR Deonte Harty
  • C Mitch Morse
  • RB Nyheim Hines
  • CB Cam Lewis


22. Cincinnati Bengals  

cincinnati-bengals

Source: Sports Illustrated

Latest signings: 

  • S Geno Stone
  • RB Zack Moss
  • TE Mike Gesicki

Latest re-signings: 

  • WR Tee Higgins (franchise tag)
  • TE Drew Sample
  • G Cody Ford

Latest departures: 

  • RB Joe Mixon (traded to Houston Texans
  • CB Chidobe Awuzie 
  • TE Irv Smith


23. Denver Broncos 

denver-broncos

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: 

  • S Brandon Jones
  • DT Malcolm Roach

Latest re-signings: 

  • S P.J. Locke
  • K Wil Lutz
  • FB Michael Burton 

Latest departures: 

  • S Justin Simmons
  • QB Russell Wilson
  • WR Jerry Jeudy
  • C Lloyd Cushenberry
  • LB Josey Jewell


24. Houston Texans 

houston-texans

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: 

  • RB Joe Mixon (via trade with Bengals)
  • DE Danielle Hunter
  • DL Denico Autry
  • LB Azeez Al-Shaair
  • CB Lonnie Johnson
  • CB Jeff Okudah 

Latest re-signings: 

  • TE Dalton Schultz
  • K Ka’imi Fairbairn

Latest departures: 

  • RB Devin Singletary
  • DE Jonathan Greenard
  • LB Blake Cashman


25. Jacksonville Jaguars

 jacksonville-jaguars

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: 

  • QB Mac Jones (acquired via trade with Patriots)
  • WR Gabe Davis
  • C Mitch Morse
  • S Darnell Savage

Latest re-signings: 

  • DE Josh Allen (franchise tag)
  • G Ezra Cleveland

Latest departures: 

  • K Brandon McManus
  • CB Darious WIlliams
  • Calvin Ridley


26. Las Vegas Raiders 

las-vegas-raiders

Source: Bleacher Report

Latest signings: 

  • DT Christian Wilkins
  • QB Gardner Minshew

Latest re-signings: 

  • C Andre James
  • RB Ameer Abdullah 

Latest departures: 

  • RB Josh Jacobs
  • OL Jermaine Eluemunor
  • CB Amik Roberston


27. Los Angeles Chargers 

los-angeles-chargers

Source: ESPN

Latest signings:

  • RB Gus Edwards
  • TE Will Dissly

Latest re-signings: 

  • S Alohi Gilman 

Latest departures: 

  • RB Austin Ekeler
  • LB Kenneth Murray
  • TE Gerald Everett


28. Miami Dolphins 

miami-dolphins

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: 

  • S Jordan Poyer
  • DE Shaq Barrett
  • TE Jonnu Smith
  • LB Anthony Walker
  • C Aaron Brewer
  • LB Jordyn Brooks 

Latest re-signings: 

  • CB NIk Needham
  • OL Robert Jones

Latest departures: 

  • G Robert Hunt
  • DT Christian Wilkins
  • S Brandon Jones
  • LB Andrew Van Ginkel
  • LB Jerome Baker (released)
  • DE Emmanuel Ogbah (released)


29. New England Patriots 

new-england-patriots

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: 

  • QB Jacoby Brissett
  • RB Antonio Gibson
  • TE Austin Hooper
  • LB Sione Takitaki
  • OT Chukwuma Okorafor

Latest re-signings: 

  • S Kyler Dugger
  • OL Mike Onwenu
  • WR Kendrick Bourne
  • TE Hunter Henry
  • WR Jalen Reagor
  • LB Anfernee Jennings
  • LB Josh Uche
  • OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
  • LB Christian Elliss

Latest departures: 

  • QB Mac Jones (traded to Jaguars)
  • TE Mike Gesicki
  • LB Mack Wilson
  • ST Matthew Slater (retired)


30. New York Jets 

new-york-jets

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: 

  • QB Tyrod Taylor
  • OL John Simpson
  • CB Isaiah Oliver 

Latest re-signings: 

  • K Greg Zuerlein
  • P Thomas Morstead 

Latest departures: 

  • DE Bryce Huff


31. Tennessee Titans 

tennessee-titans

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: 

  • RB Tony Pollard
  • C Lloyd Cushenberry
  • LB Kenneth Murray
  • CB Chidobe Awuzie
  • WR Calvin Ridley
  • QB Mason Rudolph 

Latest re-signings: 

  • LS Morgan Cox  

Latest departures: 

  • C Aaron Brewer
  • DL Denico Autry
  • LB Azeez Al-Shaair
  • CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
  • RB Derrick Henry


32. Pittsburgh Steelers 

pittsburgh-steelers

Source: ESPN

Latest signings: 

  • QB Russell Wilson
  • LB Patrick Queen
  • CB Donte Jackson (acquired via trade with Panthers)

Latest re-signings: 

  • DB Miles Killebrew 

Latest departures: 

  • QB Mitchell Trubisky
  • RT Chukwuma Okorafor
  • WR Diontae Johnson (traded to Panthers)


What is a Franchise Player?

A franchise player has a one-year contract with a team. NFL teams can use this franchise tag once per offseason.

It allows them to strategically retain a player with a guaranteed deal and fixed salary. There are two main types of franchise players:

Exclusive Franchise Player: These types of franchise players cannot negotiate with other teams. They receive a salary based on either the average of the top five salaries at their position for the current year or 120% of their previous salary, whichever is higher.

Non-Exclusive Franchise Player: These types of franchise players can negotiate with other teams. If they agree to terms with a new team, their original team can either match the offer or decline, receiving two first-round picks as compensation.

The salary for a non-exclusive tag is determined by either the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position from the previous five years applied to the current salary cap or 120 percent of the player’s previous salary, whichever is higher.


FAQs- 2024 NFL Free Agency 

How many franchise and transition players can a team designate each year?

A club has the option to select either one franchise player or one transition player from its pool of potential restricted or unrestricted free agents.

Is it possible for a club to withdraw its franchise or transition designation on a player?

Yes! If a club removes its franchise or transition tag, the player automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent. If this happens after the start of the 2024 League year, the player becomes a free agent right away.

If it happens before the 2024 League year starts, the player becomes a free agent once their 2023 contract ends.

What is the salary cap set for the year 2024?

Each club has a salary cap of $255,400,000 for the year 2024.

When do teams need to follow the salary cap rules?

The 2024 League year begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13th, and teams are obligated to follow the salary cap rules from that point onwards.


Conclusion

The 2024 NFL free agency period has started from Wednesday, March 13th. The teams are gearing up for action.

The excitement has begun even earlier, with negotiations allowed from March 11th to 13th. This is a crucial time for teams to make strategic moves and secure key players for the upcoming season.

Additionally, teams must ensure they comply with the salary cap rules right from the start of the league year.

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