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As the dust settles on NFL Free Agency 2024 after a wild week of negotiations, deals, and trades, there has been significant movement all across the NFL. The Running Back position, headed by Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs, finally got the contracts they were looking for.
Quarterbacks, including Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins, also saw significant movement this week. Cousins leaves Minnesota for Atlanta on a 4-year deal, while his former employers made moves to first sign Sam Darnold, then make a trade with the Houston Texans to acquire a second first-round pick. This trade, of course, opens the door for the Vikings to seek a trade up into the top 10 selections in a draft where the top 4 quarterbacks may fly off the board within the first six selections.
With all this significant movement across the league, who won Free Agency 2024, and where are they headed for the rest of this offseason and into the 2024 NFL Season?
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans shocked the NFL world in 2023 under new Head Coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie QB sensation C.J. Stroud. Their 10-7 record allowed the team to capture the AFC South crown after very few expected the Texans to be competitive in the division. Thus far, in 2024 Free Agency, the Texans continue their climb to challenge the seemingly unstoppable Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite losing out on Barkley and then watching Devin Singletary join the Giants, the Texans brought in Minnesota edge rusher Danielle Hunter into Houston on a 2-year deal worth $49 million. Having a veteran presence on the same defensive line as a still-developing Defensive Rookie of the Year in Will Anderson Jr. will make Houston’s front seven that much more feared.
Denico Autry and Azeez Al-Shaair also will join Houston’s defense. Despite an odd trade to acquire Joe Mixon from Cincinnati and their choice to trade out of the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Texans are likely set for further success in 2024.
Bengals to trade RB Joe Mixon to Texans. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/oOIWiSW6fi
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears and GM Ryan Poles made waves during the first week of 2024 Free Agency. Their fireworks began as soon as business was open for the legal tampering period by signing D’Andre Swift away from Philadelphia. Kevin Byard would also join Swift in their exodus from Philadelphia, while Keenan Allen would be traded to the club later on in the week for a 4th round selection.
TRADE: Chargers trading WR Keenan Allen to Bears for a fourth-round draft pick. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/P8f3EwW1PG
Justin Fields was finally dealt away this week, and the Bears turned and brought in Brett Rypien. The nephew of Super Bowl 26 MVP Mark Rypien, Brett will most likely be the backup, as USC standout Caleb Williams is in the wings for the Bears to take next month with the first overall pick, barring unforeseen last-minute changes. With their second selection next month, Chicago may opt to further boost their very strong Wide Receiver room by bringing in one of Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze.
The Bears are following Houston’s model of success, but time will tell how Chicago performs in 2024, given the expectations placed upon Williams once he arrives at Halas Hall.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons parted ways with Arthur Smith the minute they were first able to in January after their third consecutive season of only winning seven games. Bringing in new Head Coach Raheem Morris brought some criticism to the team, especially given his less-than-stellar first NFL outing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over a decade ago and how the Falcons passed on him in 2021 after he closed out the 2020 season as Atlanta’s interim Head Coach.
The Falcons managed to land Kirk Cousins on a nearly 200 million dollar contract for four seasons. The team also brought along Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore in separate transactions with the Bears and Cardinals. However, the team traded away the expected future starter, Desmond Ridder, in the same trade that netted the team the now-former Arizona Receiver.
QB Kirk Cousins agrees to a 4-year deal with the Falcons. (via @MikeMcCartney7) pic.twitter.com/iEOpKuwzfo
The Falcons have spent the past three consecutive seasons with seven wins apiece, failing to capitalize on the NFC South's weakness. Therefore, by bringing in Cousins, the Atlanta Falcons have mapped out a plan to take the fight to the Buccaneers and Saints and finally start making proper noise again for the first time since Matt Ryan was under center for the team.
